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The Highlanders are bracing for a pack attack from the Stormers with the return from injury of their captain Schalk Burger and hefty young prop Wicus Blaauw for the Super 14 rugby match at Cape Town on Sunday morning (AEDT).
The abrasive Burger, one of the best loose forwards in the world, has recovered from a hamstring injury which saw him miss last week’s 17-19 loss to the Brumbies.
Blauuw, fellow prop Tiaan Liebenberg and hooker Brok Harris are a formidable front row, more than capable of matching Clint Newland, Jamie Mackintosh and Jason Rutledge.
So much so, Highlanders coach Glenn Moore has been working the scrum hard this week as they seek a ninth victory over the Stormers in 15 meetings.
The Highlanders defeated the Cheetahs 31-24 in Bloemfontein last week for their first victory in three rounds in Super 14 but Moore feels they have to take their game up another level against the Stormers, particularly in the set-pieces.
“The set-pieces will be vital against the Stormers. They showed great physicality against the Brumbies last weekend.”
Moore is also hoping Josh Bekhuis and Tom Donnelly will be able to neutralise the Stormers lineout in which Andries Bekker has been in good form.
“They are going to be a real handful, and their defence, having conceded just two tries so far is going to be hard to break down,” Moore said.
Meanwhile, the loose forwards combination of Adam Thomson, Alando Soakai and John Hardie have been retained from last week and the outcome of their battle to gain and retain the ball while containing the inspirational Burger will also be important.
An indication that the Stormers will seek to play the game inside the Highlanders’ half is the fact coach Allister Coetzee has benched Springbok halfback Ricky Januarie in favour of Dewalt Duvenhage who is seen as better with tactical kicking.
However, Moore appears confident that his backline will be up to the task.
In fullback Israel Dagg, who is improving with each game, the Highlanders will return with interest any ball kicked at him, while wings Ben Smith and Fetu’u Vainikolo are potential game breakers.
“It comes down to continuity — it is a similar team to last year … and they are starting to play — there’s some depth in the squad now,” Moore said.
He’ll be looking to five-eighth Michael Hobbs to galvanise the backs.
Hobbs’ talents have been a revelation this season, after patchy stints with the Hurricanes and Blues where he was a spare parts player.
He is the leading try scorer of the competition to date with four from three matches but is also growing as a leader of the backline.
“He is someone we looked at last year and now that he is focused on being a professional player, we are not surprised with his performances,” Moore said.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.