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Cape Town - Brumbies playmaker Christian Lealiifano has paid tribute to Stormers flyhalves Demetri Catrakilis and Kurt Coleman ahead of this Saturday's clash between the sides at Newlands.
VIDEO: Christian Lealiifano discusses the Stormers No 10s
The match sees both play-off challenging franchises coming off a loss – the Stormers having gone down 25-17 to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein last weekend while the Brumbies were ousted 10-13 at home to Australian rivals the Waratahs.
The Stormers are set to announce their side on Thursday, but Lealiifano believes that he will be up against a quality opposite number regardless of who Allister Coetzee chooses at 10.
"They’re very dangerous players, both are quality players. Catrakilis gives you a really good kicking game and directs the team around really well and then Coleman, I guess, loves to run a bit more," Lealiifano said.
"Having that dynamic is very powerful in a team. We’ve just got to be all over it – prepare as well as we can and prepare for what they’re going to bring at different times.”
The 27-year-old added that playing at Newlands was always a special occasion, but that it was never an easy place to win.
"It’s going to be very tough, we’re well aware of that. The Stormers outfit is in very good form and we’re going to have to be on top of our game to give ourselves a chance," said Lealiifano.
"It’s pretty different. Obviously the Australian derbies are always tough and the Waratahs have been one of our rivalries for a while.
"But on a similar scale it’s pretty massive for us to come to Newlands. It’s very tough to win here and with the Stormers team going as well as they are it’s going to be even more tough."
Saturday's match kicks off at 17:05.
