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Cape Town - Despite an alarming error count from Stormers wing Bryan Habana, backline coach Robbie Fleck says the Springbok's commitment cannot be questioned.
Habana has struggled with his handling skills this year and seems to be trying to hard to impress - a case in point was his attempted intercept late in the game against the Waratahs two weeks ago, which cost the Stormers dearly.
But Fleck told the Cape Times Habana is eager to atone for his mistakes when the Stormers face the Reds at Newlands on Saturday.
"He is extremely dedicated to the cause and desperate to win and to leave the Stormers on a high note. He has given so much for the team and he is so passionate about the team."
Fleck said Habana's eagerness to impress proves how passionate he is.
"I would rather have him trying hard than not doing anything. Rather have him have 100 ball carries a game and making 20 mistakes than doing nothing. For me, he is the ultimate Stormer, and he is desperate to do well.
"I felt that against the Rebels (a 30-21 loss to the Stormers last week), when he had ball-in-hand, he was outstanding. The way he took that try, those two little half-breaks he took around the rucks, and his work-rate.
"But he also made two big mistakes, which is not like him. When senior players make big mistakes, it affects the confidence of the team. But I expect him to bounce back on Saturday," said Fleck.
The Stormers are currently languishing at 11th spot on the overall Super Rugby log,with only four wins from 11 outings.
Kick-off is at 17:05 on Saturday.
Teams:
Stormers:
15. Joe Pietersen, 14. Gio Aplon, 13. Jean de Villiers (captain), 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Elton Jantjies, 9. Louis Schreuder, 8. Nizaam Carr, 7. Don Armand, 6. Siya Kolisi, 5. Eben Etzebeth, 4. Gerbrandt Grobler, 3. Brok Harris, 2. Tiaan Liebenberg, 1. Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16. Martin Bezuidenhout, 17. Chris Heiberg, 18. Marius Coetzer, 19. Rohan Kitshoff, 20. Dewaldt Duvenage, 21. Gary van Aswegen, 22. Gerhard van den Heever
Reds:
15. Jonathan Lance, 14. Rod Davies, 13. Chris Feauai-Sautia, 12. Anthony Faingaa, 11. Luke Morahan, 10. Quade Cooper, 9. Will Genia, 8. Radike Samo, 7. Liam Gill, 6. Jake Schatz, 5. James Horwill (captain), 4. Rob Simmons, 3. James Slipper, 2. Saia Faingaa, 1. Greg Holmes
Substitutes: 16. James Hanson, 17. Ben Daley, 18. Ed O`Donoghue, 19. Ed Quirk, 20. Beau Robinson, 21. Ben Lucas, 22. Ben Tapuai
Habana has struggled with his handling skills this year and seems to be trying to hard to impress - a case in point was his attempted intercept late in the game against the Waratahs two weeks ago, which cost the Stormers dearly.
But Fleck told the Cape Times Habana is eager to atone for his mistakes when the Stormers face the Reds at Newlands on Saturday.
"He is extremely dedicated to the cause and desperate to win and to leave the Stormers on a high note. He has given so much for the team and he is so passionate about the team."
Fleck said Habana's eagerness to impress proves how passionate he is.
"I would rather have him trying hard than not doing anything. Rather have him have 100 ball carries a game and making 20 mistakes than doing nothing. For me, he is the ultimate Stormer, and he is desperate to do well.
"I felt that against the Rebels (a 30-21 loss to the Stormers last week), when he had ball-in-hand, he was outstanding. The way he took that try, those two little half-breaks he took around the rucks, and his work-rate.
"But he also made two big mistakes, which is not like him. When senior players make big mistakes, it affects the confidence of the team. But I expect him to bounce back on Saturday," said Fleck.
The Stormers are currently languishing at 11th spot on the overall Super Rugby log,with only four wins from 11 outings.
Kick-off is at 17:05 on Saturday.
Teams:
Stormers:
15. Joe Pietersen, 14. Gio Aplon, 13. Jean de Villiers (captain), 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Elton Jantjies, 9. Louis Schreuder, 8. Nizaam Carr, 7. Don Armand, 6. Siya Kolisi, 5. Eben Etzebeth, 4. Gerbrandt Grobler, 3. Brok Harris, 2. Tiaan Liebenberg, 1. Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16. Martin Bezuidenhout, 17. Chris Heiberg, 18. Marius Coetzer, 19. Rohan Kitshoff, 20. Dewaldt Duvenage, 21. Gary van Aswegen, 22. Gerhard van den Heever
Reds:
15. Jonathan Lance, 14. Rod Davies, 13. Chris Feauai-Sautia, 12. Anthony Faingaa, 11. Luke Morahan, 10. Quade Cooper, 9. Will Genia, 8. Radike Samo, 7. Liam Gill, 6. Jake Schatz, 5. James Horwill (captain), 4. Rob Simmons, 3. James Slipper, 2. Saia Faingaa, 1. Greg Holmes
Substitutes: 16. James Hanson, 17. Ben Daley, 18. Ed O`Donoghue, 19. Ed Quirk, 20. Beau Robinson, 21. Ben Lucas, 22. Ben Tapuai
