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Stephen Nell
Cape Town - If there is a reason to take the Melbourne Rebels seriously as a Super Rugby opponent, it could be found in the form of seasoned All Black prop Greg Somerville in the front row.
Somerville (33) has the experience of 66 tests for New Zealand and won six Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders between 1999 and 2008 before joining English club side Gloucester.
It's no surprise therefore that Stormers forwards coach Matt Proudfoot considers him a danger man ahead of Friday's match.
"They are very physical and I'm nervous about their ability in the scrums. They have Somerville and Rodney Blake as props," said Proudfoot.
Blake has played seven Tests for the Wallabies, but was a substitute in the Rebels' last game against the Cheetahs. Laurie Weeks, who impressed at the Reds last season, was used as tighthead prop with Somerville on the loosehead side.
There is also a possibility that English flyhalf Danny Cipriani may play against the Stormers.
Cipriani has not been considered of late because of breaches of team protocol.
Rebels assistant coach Damien Hill said that discussions had taken place about the player's availability for Friday's game against the Stormers.
"The situation is not ideal. There are issues that need to be addressed and the administration is handling it."
In a further indication that Cipriani may play against the Stormers, Rebels vice-captain and Welsh No 8 Gareth Delve praised him in an article carried by the Sydney Morning Herald.
"Danny trained with us and the ball is in his court now. There is no doubt about his talent and it will be wonderful if he can display it. I hope he comes back with a point to prove. Danny is an excellent player and I think he has a lot to offer."
The Rebels are at the bottom of the log, but Proudfoot believes the Stormers should only focus on their own performance.
"If you focus on your opponent, you could end up in trouble. Our focus has to be on our performance. We need the victory. The Stormers always tour well, but we're still disappointed with that second half against the Chiefs.
"We could have had three victories by now. Since then we have managed two hard-fought wins.
"Things are getting tight now. The Sharks achieved a very good victory over a strong Waratahs outfit and the Bulls are showing that they are a champion team. The Cheetahs are also looking dangerous and playing attractive rugby. The Lions have also won two games on tour and are reaping the benefits of the continuity they have had under John Mitchell's coaching."
The Stormers will announce their side on Wednesday and there appears to be a good chance that Earl Rose will be on the bench after the Springbok backline player was last week asked to link up with the Cape outfit in Melbourne.
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee confirmed earlier this week that he would like to give Kurt Coleman another opportunity in the starting line-up. It will therefore be interesting to see how the rookie measures up against Cipriani.
Cape Town - If there is a reason to take the Melbourne Rebels seriously as a Super Rugby opponent, it could be found in the form of seasoned All Black prop Greg Somerville in the front row.
Somerville (33) has the experience of 66 tests for New Zealand and won six Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders between 1999 and 2008 before joining English club side Gloucester.
It's no surprise therefore that Stormers forwards coach Matt Proudfoot considers him a danger man ahead of Friday's match.
"They are very physical and I'm nervous about their ability in the scrums. They have Somerville and Rodney Blake as props," said Proudfoot.
Blake has played seven Tests for the Wallabies, but was a substitute in the Rebels' last game against the Cheetahs. Laurie Weeks, who impressed at the Reds last season, was used as tighthead prop with Somerville on the loosehead side.
There is also a possibility that English flyhalf Danny Cipriani may play against the Stormers.
Cipriani has not been considered of late because of breaches of team protocol.
Rebels assistant coach Damien Hill said that discussions had taken place about the player's availability for Friday's game against the Stormers.
"The situation is not ideal. There are issues that need to be addressed and the administration is handling it."
In a further indication that Cipriani may play against the Stormers, Rebels vice-captain and Welsh No 8 Gareth Delve praised him in an article carried by the Sydney Morning Herald.
"Danny trained with us and the ball is in his court now. There is no doubt about his talent and it will be wonderful if he can display it. I hope he comes back with a point to prove. Danny is an excellent player and I think he has a lot to offer."
The Rebels are at the bottom of the log, but Proudfoot believes the Stormers should only focus on their own performance.
"If you focus on your opponent, you could end up in trouble. Our focus has to be on our performance. We need the victory. The Stormers always tour well, but we're still disappointed with that second half against the Chiefs.
"We could have had three victories by now. Since then we have managed two hard-fought wins.
"Things are getting tight now. The Sharks achieved a very good victory over a strong Waratahs outfit and the Bulls are showing that they are a champion team. The Cheetahs are also looking dangerous and playing attractive rugby. The Lions have also won two games on tour and are reaping the benefits of the continuity they have had under John Mitchell's coaching."
The Stormers will announce their side on Wednesday and there appears to be a good chance that Earl Rose will be on the bench after the Springbok backline player was last week asked to link up with the Cape outfit in Melbourne.
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee confirmed earlier this week that he would like to give Kurt Coleman another opportunity in the starting line-up. It will therefore be interesting to see how the rookie measures up against Cipriani.
