What is the worst news you can give the Stormers after they have just been beaten by the top two franchises of 2013 in New Zealand? Tell them they next meet the Brumbies in Canberra. Join us for live scores and updates from 7:30PM AEDT.
A close shave against the Crusaders and an even tougher match against the Chiefs has left the Stormers injured, scarred and beaten.
Injuries to Jaco Taute sees him being replaced by Gio Aplon, who moves from wing to fullback, Sailosi Tagicakibau will replace Aplon at wing, while Michael Rhodes comes back from injury to replace the injured De Kock Steenkamp.
Whether Allistair Coetzee has decided Peter Grant offers more on attack for the Stormers or he is just growing tired of the Stormers’ inability and lack of creativity in attack, Demetri Catrakilis has been replaced.
Although the Brumbies team has not been announced at the time of the preview, they are unlikely to see any changes, bar injuries.
Head-to-head, the wins stand at three each in recent times, however looking at form you would have to argue the Brumbies should be clear favourites in this match.
So what can we expect?
The Stormers will want to lift their defence and they need to improve their intensity and urgency at the mauls, having been rather ineffective this year. Their major concern would be how to improve their execution, not only in attack, but also their exit strategies from within their red zone. In all of these aspects the Brumbies have little issue.
Both teams would want to play the tactical territory game, reducing the risk inside their halves and attack with structured multiphase play, however the Brumbies won’t mind the game getting a bit loose and unstructured as their backline of Matt Toomua, Pat McCabe, Tevita Kuridrani, Henry Speight and Jesse Mogg has shown a lot more flair and their execution levels have been far superior to anything the Stormers have served up this year.
My tip, Brumbies by more than 10.
Mantis
Roar Guru
Stormers arent a crowd puller, and we had a lot of injuries. But yeah, bit of a disappointing crowd. Sounded like a lot more then 11,000 though at the ground
kunming tiger
Guest
Did you mean "dying?"
Magic Sponge
Guest
Might want to reassess he chiefs
ant
Guest
25,000 capacity. sa teams always draw lowee crowds in Canberra
carnivean
Roar Rookie
You forgot to put the Gap in at 2 and 3 on that list.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Murphy did well when he came on
DMac
Guest
It's killing you isn't it? Life is easier if you stop being a hater.
Barry
Guest
Darren Lockyer's post match interviews are better. Naaarrrrrtttt!!!
Chris
Guest
The Tahs are awesome. Who else could win home games against the Force and Rebels.
Jerry
Guest
Tell that to Nick Mallett. Or Colin Hawke for that matter.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Best teams in Super Rugby so far. 1) Chiefs 2) Saders 3) Blues 4) Highlanders 5) Canes
Internal Fixation
Guest
Agree. All Brumbies starting front row on form right now
jameswm
Guest
Best teams so far this year (in order): Sharks Chiefs Tahs Brumbies Gap
Digby
Roar Guru
Fair point Jerry.
jameswm
Guest
I had him marked never to be picked again after last year's EOYT. You're right though, he's learning and the new hit (or non-hit) seems to be suiting him. Credit to the bloke for turning it around. If I was picking a Wallaby team right now I'd be considering going with Sio and Alexander as starting props, Slipper and Kepu on the bench. Sio has been excellent in the scrums and round the field.
The OG AlBo
Roar Guru
Really like Gregan as a commentator. Great analysis and very even keeled. Hope he's a regular.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Naughty naughty for taking a pop culture reference litterally. Are penalty tries ever given for repeated infringements? I dont think they are.
Jerry
Guest
You rarely see any pushovers to be fair (not since they said any penalty/scrum must be 5m from the tryline), and it'd take a potential pushover (like tonight) before a penalty try should come into consideration.
Internal Fixation
Guest
Laurie Fisher doesn't look that worried....
Internal Fixation
Guest
Agree with Jameswm. Ben Alexander has the ability to learn and improve - albeit slowly - but seems to be finally getting there. Demolished Bulls last year in SF using some "tricks" the Lions taught him. The new rules seem to advantage his style as well. He was never great on the big hit which has been essentially removed.