Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Despite the Stormers' struggles this season, Reds coach Richard Graham insists they are a force to be reckoned with as he prepares to face the Cape side in Brisbane on Saturday.
Two desperate sides will duel at Suncorp Stadium, with the Reds coming off consecutive losses on their trip to South Africa and the Stormers winless heading into their final tour match.
The Stormers have won only one out of five this year and sit 14th on the overall log, but Graham feels they are a better team that that.
“The Stormers are a very good side," Graham told the Reds' official website. "They have been on the road for four weeks and will want to finish their Australasian tour with a win.
"They have been a perennial semi-finalist and have set the standard defensively for the competition over a long period. They are now putting a lot of time into their attack and are holding the ball for long periods.
“With the likes of (Jean) de Villiers, (Juan) De Jongh, (Gio) Aplon and (Peter) Grant in their backs, they will present a constant challenge. Their backrow has some real dynamism and will provide genuine punch in and around the contact areas.”
Graham said the team needed little motivation to win.
"We've had a difficult start to the season and the team is looking forward to returning to our fortress on Saturday night.
"Our trip to South Africa was tough. We didn't get the results we wanted and suffered four injuries, but we've returned home with a desire to get our season heading in the right direction.
"With the next three games at home, we're going to enjoy the opportunity to play in front of our own supporters."
Kick-off is at 10:40 (SA time) on Saturday.
Teams:
Reds:
15. Lachlan Turner, 14. Rod Davies, 13. Ben Tapuai, 12. Mike Harris, 11. Dom Shipperley, 10. Quade Cooper, 9. Will Genia, 8. Jake Schatz, 7. Beau Robinson, 6. Ed Quirk, 5. James Horwill (Captain), 4. Rob Simmons, 3. Greg Holmes, 2. James Hanson, 1. James Slipper
Substitutes: 16. Saia Faingaa, 17. Albert Anae, 18. Jono Owen, 19. Ed O`Donoghue, 20. Curtis Browning, 21. Nicholas Frisby, 22. Anthony Faingaa, 23. Ben Lucas
Stormers:
15. Gio Aplon, 14. Damian de Allende, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Jean de Villiers (captain), 11. Sailosi Tagicakibau, 10. Peter Grant, 9. Louis Schreuder, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Siya Kolisi, 6. Nizaam Carr, 5. Michael Rhodes, 4. Jurie van Vuuren, 3. Frans Malherbe, 2. Deon Fourie, 1. Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16. Stephan Coetzee, 17. Oliver Kebble, 18. Brok Harris, 19. Tazz Fuzani, 20. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21. Nic Groom, 22. Demetri Catrakilis, 23. Jaco Taute
Two desperate sides will duel at Suncorp Stadium, with the Reds coming off consecutive losses on their trip to South Africa and the Stormers winless heading into their final tour match.
The Stormers have won only one out of five this year and sit 14th on the overall log, but Graham feels they are a better team that that.
“The Stormers are a very good side," Graham told the Reds' official website. "They have been on the road for four weeks and will want to finish their Australasian tour with a win.
"They have been a perennial semi-finalist and have set the standard defensively for the competition over a long period. They are now putting a lot of time into their attack and are holding the ball for long periods.
“With the likes of (Jean) de Villiers, (Juan) De Jongh, (Gio) Aplon and (Peter) Grant in their backs, they will present a constant challenge. Their backrow has some real dynamism and will provide genuine punch in and around the contact areas.”
Graham said the team needed little motivation to win.
"We've had a difficult start to the season and the team is looking forward to returning to our fortress on Saturday night.
"Our trip to South Africa was tough. We didn't get the results we wanted and suffered four injuries, but we've returned home with a desire to get our season heading in the right direction.
"With the next three games at home, we're going to enjoy the opportunity to play in front of our own supporters."
Kick-off is at 10:40 (SA time) on Saturday.
Teams:
Reds:
15. Lachlan Turner, 14. Rod Davies, 13. Ben Tapuai, 12. Mike Harris, 11. Dom Shipperley, 10. Quade Cooper, 9. Will Genia, 8. Jake Schatz, 7. Beau Robinson, 6. Ed Quirk, 5. James Horwill (Captain), 4. Rob Simmons, 3. Greg Holmes, 2. James Hanson, 1. James Slipper
Substitutes: 16. Saia Faingaa, 17. Albert Anae, 18. Jono Owen, 19. Ed O`Donoghue, 20. Curtis Browning, 21. Nicholas Frisby, 22. Anthony Faingaa, 23. Ben Lucas
Stormers:
15. Gio Aplon, 14. Damian de Allende, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Jean de Villiers (captain), 11. Sailosi Tagicakibau, 10. Peter Grant, 9. Louis Schreuder, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Siya Kolisi, 6. Nizaam Carr, 5. Michael Rhodes, 4. Jurie van Vuuren, 3. Frans Malherbe, 2. Deon Fourie, 1. Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16. Stephan Coetzee, 17. Oliver Kebble, 18. Brok Harris, 19. Tazz Fuzani, 20. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21. Nic Groom, 22. Demetri Catrakilis, 23. Jaco Taute
