Stephen Nell

Cape Town – As a veteran of the Stormers’ tour of Australia and New Zealand in 2004, Schalk Burger knows that the seemingly impossible at Eden Park is not out of the question.

As is the case again this week, few people gave the Cape side a chance back then, especially after the New Zealand outfit had beaten the Bulls 56-19 the previous weekend.

Unfortunately for the Blues the Stormers did not read the script and wrote a famous chapter in their history with a 51-23 thumping.

Burger was only a spectator then, but remembers it well. And while the Blues command a healthy respect with the Stormers captain following last week’s 32-17 win over the Bulls, Burger still has faith in his team to do the seemingly impossible in Saturday’s Super 14 match at Eden Park.

“We all watched the Blues’ game against the Bulls and they were impressive in the physical aspect. Their forwards really got stuck in and that is their strength,” said Burger.

“It is, however, an aspect of the game in which I believe we are strong.”

The Stormers are under pressure to compensate for last week’s narrow defeat against the Western Force, who won the game in Perth with a drop goal in the dying seconds.

While the Stormers could easily have won, their performance would not have justified such a result.

“We were disappointing and there is not much I can say about it. It was an inaccurate performance and this week it’s back to basics,” said Burger.

“The Blues are ruthless if you kick poorly against them. We’re looking for more accuracy in all areas.”

The Stormers have had to pick JD Moller at loosehead prop after JC Kritzinger sustained a hamstring injury, while Adriaan Fondse was an unexpected selection at lock after being sidelined with an injury for a long time.

“It’s sad to lose a good player like JC, but JD has played for us for a long time. Adriaan is also a very good player. Both of them know they have the ability to play Super 14 rugby. It’s now just a matter of proving themselves again,” said Burger.

The Blues have picked All Black prop John Afoa after all, but he may still withdraw with a sore back before the match. In that case Moller will be up against the less experienced Tevita Mailau.

However, it’s at the back where the Blues’ big guns are, with New Zealand wonderkid Rene Ranger posing a major threat at centre. However, Ranger himself may be outgunned by die Stormers’ Springbok No 13 Jaque Fourie.

So don’t write off the Stormers. Yes, they were poor against the Force, but have been more consistent with their good performances than the Blues this year.

It surely won’t be 51-23 in their favour again, but also not necessarily a defeat.

The teams:

Blues v Stormers - Auckland (07:30)

Blues:
15. Isaia Toeava, 14. Joe Rokocoko, 13. Rene Ranger, 12. Benson Stanley, 11. Rudi Wulf, 10. Stephen Brett, 9. Alby Mathewson, 8. Viliami Ma’afu, 7. Serge Lilo, 6. Jerome Kaino, 5. Anthony Boric, 4. Kurtis Haiu, 3. John Afoa, 2. Keven Mealamu (captain), 1. Charlie Faumuina

Substitutes: 16. Tom McCartney, 17. Tevita Mailau, 18. Filo Paulo, 19. Peter Saili, 20. Chris Smylie, 21. Luke McAlister, 22. Paul Williams

Stormers:
15. Gio Aplon, 14. Sireli Naqelevuki, 13. Jaque Fourie, 12. Juan de Jong, 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Peter Grant, 9. Dewaldt Duvenage, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Francois Louw, 6. Schalk Burger (captain), 5. Andries Bekker, 4. Adriaan Fondse, 3. Brok Harris, 2. Tiaan Liebenberg, 1. JD Moller

Substitutes: 16. Deon Fourie, 17. Eusibio Guinazu, 18. Anton van Zyl, 19. Pieter Louw, 20. Ricky Januarie, 21. Willem De Waal, 22. Tim Whitehead

Referee: Stuart Dickinson