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Fleck: Sadie deserves his spot

Stephen Nell

Cape Town - Sonny Bill Williams is only "one of 15 quality Crusaders players" the Stormers will be up against in their Super Rugby match at Newlands on Saturday.

That was the take of Stormers backline coach Robbie Fleck on the starting line-up that the Kiwis announced for the game.

The significant changes are among the loose forwards, with All Black No 8 Kieran Read having recovered from an injury and set to run out against the Stormers.

That means All Black captain Richie McCaw moves to his favoured openside flank spot and Matt Todd will be on the bench.

In the front row, Owen Franks replaces injured older brother Ben at tighthead prop.

The backline is exactly the same one that cut the Western Force to shreds at times last Saturday. It includes outstanding attacking players like Israel Dagg, Sean Maitland, Robbie Fruean and Zac Guildford.

"Dagg reminds me a lot of Christian Cullen (a former All Black fullback). He is special," Fleck said of the outstanding No 15, who scored two tries against the Force. His seven tries in the tournament this year place him second on the list of leading try-scorers.

Maitland and Cheetahs scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius head up the list with eight tries.

"We're up against the best of the best from New Zealand and from an international point of view. There are experienced All Blacks among them and they have set the standard for a number of seasons," said Fleck.

He is also confident that the selection of the inexperienced Johann Sadie on the wing will benefit the Stormers.

"I think it's a great selection and he deserves it. I like the way he roams and looks for work. His movement off the ball is very good and we need his pace. He can also slot in at midfield," said Fleck.

The Stormers could have opted to start with Juan de Jongh and move Jean de Villiers to the wing to bolster their side with experience, but are confident Sadie will do his job well.

"We're very confident with Sadie there. You must have experience in your young players and he deserves his place," said Fleck.

"Juan could come off the bench and then we have the option of moving Jean to the wing."

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