Powerful centres Damian de Allende and Sonny Bill Williams collide this weekend as the Stormers take on the Chiefs in a heavyweight Super Rugby clash.
Rather than focusing on a clash of giant packs, much attention falls on the duel between the rival inside centres who are putting their stamp on the competition.
Code-hopper Williams has had an immediate impact after his return to rugby, leading the off-loads table with Israel Folau on nine, and second on the list of try assists.
But Williams, 29, will also be keen to make amends for conceding the last-minute penalty which sank the Chiefs 20-17 against the Highlanders in the previous round.
For Stormers coach Allister Coetzee, the plan to cope with Williams is simple: go low, and tackle him out of the game.
“If you go high, Sonny Bill can bounce you off and runs over you,” he told the Iol Sport website.
“It’s the simple thing: if you chop his legs, he will only have one way of offloading — from the ground.”
The Stormers are on a roll, top of the table and unbeaten after four games, although the Chiefs could leapfrog them from third into first place with a win in Cape Town on Saturday (Sunday AEDT).
De Allende has been at the forefront for the Stormers, ranked second on the list of beating defenders so far and with the sixth best record for clean breaks.
While his forte is getting the Stormers moving forward, he is also rated for using his immense power to knock players over.
Coetzee described him as a “physical player” with a good skill set, while Chiefs captain Liam Messam said he is looking forward to seeing the big centres clash.
“De Allende is strong on his feet, big and gets them over the advantage line in an efficient manner. We also have a big inside centre in Sonny Bill, so hopefully they’ll meet each other on the gain line,” Messam told Network24.
In the Stormers’ favour is their defence, where they have conceded the fewest metres and clean breaks this season while the Chiefs, who historically travel well to South Africa, have the best record for generating tries from inside their own half.
But the Chiefs can ill-afford to drop a game with the Wellington Hurricanes, unbeaten in three outings, just a point behind them and playing the winless Auckland Blues.
Akari
Roar Rookie
I only saw the first half hour of the match (had to get up early and drive out to the country for my son's soccer tournament) and I was impressed with both. I will add these two to my list of players to keep an eye on. While glad that I picked the Chiefs to win, it was a fluke as Rennie was the difference for coming up with an outrageous game plan to be played on a hot afternoon in Capetown. I was regretting my call when I found out just before kick-off about the 30C temperature as Kiwi teams are not known for thriving in the heat.
Harry Jones
Expert
Purely rotational. Catrakilis is on the bench, as is Groom. Coleman is bigger than Demetri; but plays conservatively. Sharpshooter. Would like him to take it to the line. Schreuder is erratic
Mke
Guest
Are Stormers really as fixed on SBW as this article suggests? That is not meant to denigrate him as a player, but I would have thought there are many others to focus on.
Marty
Guest
That's a pretty ballsy pick Neville, and not for the faint hearted but I like your style. I've gone for the favourites but can't help thinking the Blues are due.
Neville
Guest
Blues 25 Hurricanes 22 I picked the Lions last week, I think the break will not do the Canes any good at all and the Blues will pull out all the stops for the blockman
ben
Guest
Its the manawatu hurricanes tonight...and lately the north harbour blues.
Akari
Roar Rookie
Harry - I see that Kurt Coleman and Louis Schreuder are the new halves and I know nuffink about these two. What was the rationale for the demotion of my favourite 5/8th, Demetri Catrakilis, and also of Nic Groom? Will these two be the chinks in the Stormers attack and defensive armour? I reckon the demotion of these two was a poor call (unless there are lingering injuries). I've therefore gone for the Chiefs on this basis.
George
Guest
This Stormers team has alot more to offer than the dual between the centres, it will be a good matchup. Their heads are up as they seem to be the best team right now in the republic.Taking SBW low is not the answer, "Lets tell the press something bla bla bla!" I am sure they have spoken about their game plan A and B plans. Good contest as a neutral I am excited.
Old Bugger
Guest
T I agree that going low wouldn't necessarily stop SBW's offloading. That's why I think you may find one of the Stormers flankers will become a permanent feature around the IC-OC positions to double tackle and wrap up SBWs offload options. If so, then I'm counting on the Chiefs quickly recognizing the pack imbalance and incorporating plays to take advantage and hopefully draw the flanker back into the fray.......then, we may get a chance to watch these two goliaths havago at each other.
Chivas
Guest
Yes, yes. But that was then. This is now. If we had have had that attitude, Waikato would never have beaten the Bok in 56. Much better when the odds are stacked heavily against us. Besides if it comes off we and we get the girl it will be great. If not, that is ok, she wasn't ours to begin with :-). I want to swap Cruden for Pollard at the moment. Surely Cruden can't forget to bring his kicking shoes two weeks running.
Armand van Zyl
Roar Guru
Well, the Stormers did handle the Chiefs handsomely the last time they met at Newlands. It can go either way.
Harry Jones
Expert
Agree. Going hard--and pinning the carrier--is the key, more than shin-tackling the offloader. Read is the same way. Have to judo throw that guy.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Don't know about the going low idea. That's exactly what a good offloader prefers, and the ball will be well gone before SBWs tree trunks finally get hauled to the ground. Stormers have started well so will be asking more questions of the Chiefs. Another little match up at centre tonight is the old maestro Smith goes up against young Skywalker Piutau, the young protege. Is this a sly attempt to give Colin Slade the right wing spot in the ABs to ensure Cruden and a goal kicker start? With Piatau backing Centre up?
Chivas
Guest
SNW will be fine. He learns fast and is not one to drop his bundle when he loses a confrontation. Be interesting to see whether Allende and the Storm can really nullify the Chiefs backilne. As long as the Chiefs fire on all cylinders and kick a good sized hole in the Stormers boat. I'll be happy :-). By the way, has anybody heard the rumour Bismark is looking to leave SA and move to NZ. Handre Pollard would look great in NZ colours too. You can keep the rest :-). And there are no Aussies we want :-) For the record I am picking Pollard to be player of the World Cup with Lambie pushing him hard for the starting berth. Pollard has been a concern for a while now. I'm hoping he goes through a form slump when he faces the AB's.The problem with freaks like him is it is just a matter of time.
Harry Jones
Expert
My advice to Doogz would be to attack SBW. Don't wait. Be first. Go hard. SBW punishes the tentative guys
felix
Guest
F.Steyn found Damien a bit tough so he decided to try decapitate little Kolbe :-D so Sonny Bill's tackling will be tested.
It will be very interesting to see how Damien measures up to SBW.