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Coaches: It’s a test match

Gavin  Rich - SuperSport

Johannesburg - If anyone doubts the seriousness and intensity with which the two teams are approaching Saturday’s Vodacom Super Rugby coastal derby between the DHL Stormers and the Sharks they just need to read or hear what the two coaches are saying about the game in order to be convinced.

It’s almost as if Allister Coetzee and John Plumtree have been employed to sell the game to the masses in the manner that boxing promoters employ a fight publicist. Plumtree started the week by saying it would be a test match and would not lack for physicality, and Coetzee followed up at his team announcement press conference by also speaking of the game as a test match.

“The fact that Jean Deysel is back in the mix for the Sharks shows their intent. We are expecting a heck of a physical game so it is going to require all 22 of our players to front up to the challenge that is coming,” said Coetzee.

“This match definitely has a test match feel to it, there is a lot riding on it for both teams.”

Coetzee admitted that the importance of the game, and the test match atmosphere to it, had played a role in his selection. Former Springbok fullback Conrad Jantjes was retained at fullback which meant that Bryan Habana’s return was for the young Danie Poolman, who drops out of the squad. The selection leaves the Stormers with a back three made up of Springboks.

“It was a difficult decision to make to drop both Danie Poolman and Johann Sadie but it was made with the need for experience in mind. It is going to be important to have experienced players there this week as it’s going to be a really tough derby game and we know how the Sharks will still be hurting from the first round defeat we inflicted on them in Durban,” he said.

On Tuesday Sharks coach Plumtree spoke about the revenge aspect when told that in Cape Town no-one was under any illusion that revenge was what Saturday’s game would be all about for the Sharks.

“Yeah that is how it is, there is no point in beating about the bush,” he said with what observers at his Durban press conference said was a playful glint in his eye.

“The last time I said a game between these teams was about revenge was before the Currie Cup final last year. It seems the coaches are taking turns at bringing revenge mode into it (the Stormers spoke up the revenge aspect in the first round match after the Currie Cup final loss in October).

“No, look, they caught us last time and we feel we are better than that match. In all seriousness, I said straight after the Hurricanes match that we are looking forward to the game and I am sure they are looking forward to having us there.

I am also sure everyone is looking forward to watching this match, it is a big one. It’s one of those contests that just captures the imagination.”

The Sharks are to name their team later on Thursday but Plumtree expects to have a full squad to choose from with the exception of the injured Jacques Botes. He has already confirmed that the driving force of Deysel will be available to him from the bench.

In a coincidental direct reversal from the first round fixture, which was played in Durban just four weeks ago, it is the Stormers who this time will be going in without their first choice flyhalf.

Peter Grant has been bracketed with Lionel Cronje with a decision to be made on his readiness on Friday afternoon but he is almost certain not to play as he continues to sit out with a knee injury picked up against the Reds three weeks ago.

Sharks flyhalf Patrick Lambie missed the Mr Price Kings Park fixture but looked good on his return against the Hurricanes last week - although he did miss some goal-kicks - and he si a player who the Stormers are going to have to nullify if they want pick up the win that will keep them in command of the South African conference.

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