This Friday night game sees the Stormers travelling to Dunedin to play the Highlanders. Join The Roar from 5:35pm AEST for all the live action as we cover this Round 10 match from New Zealand.
Both sides bring contrasting form into tonight’s clash, with the Highlanders comfortably beating the Sunwolves at home last week, while the Stormers had a poor start to their New Zealand tour last Saturday night, soundly beaten by the Crusaders in Christchurch.
In terms of their respective seasons, the South African side sits comfortably atop their own conference while the Highlanders desperately need to win tonight to keep pace with the New Zealand conference leaders, currently sitting 10 points behind the third-placed Chiefs heading into Round 10.
Both sides have named strong lineups tonight and the Stormers certainly look to have an edge in their forward pack, particularly in the set piece where their lineout options are stacked.
However, they could lack for some speed in the loose playing Pieter-Steph du Toit on the blindside flank, and this could be a disadvantage if the game is played at pace and on the counter attack from the Highlanders, so the Stormers halves will need to take control of this match to ensure their forward advantage can be utilised.
In terms of the matchups, there are plenty to look forward to but particularly in the backs where a number of Stormers have been staking a claim for higher honours this season and certainly have a grand opportunity to impress this evening lining up against several All Blacks, such as EW Viljoen at centre against the industrious Malakai Fekitoa and SP Marais against Ben Smith, the mercurial Highlanders fullback.
One in particular I am looking forward to seeing is the Stormers exciting Dillyn Leyds going head to head with the Highlanders flyer Waisake Naholo which should provide plenty of thrills for the crowd.
Prediction
Home ground advantage, their respective positions in their conferences and along with the experience the Highlanders possess, has me leaning towards a hard fought Highlander victory.
Highlanders by 9.
Join us from 5:35pm AEST for kick off right here on The Roar as we cover all the action as it unfolds and don’t forget to chime in with your comments on the play below!
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Hmmm it seems as if Harry is not happy
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Really?1? Are NZ good at rugby?!? ;)
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Removing more teams from SR is a dead end me thinks, because that would mean less TV-money. At the moment, the biggest threat to NZRU (and ARU) is the money up north. If SR and Sanzaar's members (including NZ) wants to keep their competitive edge, they need to make more money. A lot more money. And the only way to earn a lot more money is to expand. And if we look at Sanzaar as a unit, there are enough players within these 4-5 nations to field 18 (probably more) competitive teams. An alternative I can see is to create a two tier comp for SR. NZ teams would still be very strong, but we would see many more competitive games and it would give players and fans a lot more to aim for every season (right now there are 6-7 teams in SR who can only aspire to avoid the wooden spoon, with two tiers these teams would play for a promotion spot and that energize everyone around the game me think).
Lara
Guest
The comp standard is not even , so remove the weak teams make it 12 or 15 ,but as long as the best teams make it to the playoffs and fairly done during the comp. SR doesn't need a team in each city to develop rugby, club rugby should be doing that , get that right first.
Dave, that in my viewis symtomatic of SA rugby. We areso far behind New Zealand in coaching skills and ability that one season of not playing them and our sides become an embarrassment. We have sunk so far that the mere thought of catching up with New Zealand is bu a dream.
davSA
Guest
Problem for the Stormers Baylion is a severe underexposure to NZ sides. Last season one game and this one against the Crusaders was their first . They need to play these teams more often if they are to start playing the more expansive game effectively.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Another solution could be to have six NZ SR teams, to spread out the Kiwi talent a little more. I am open for any suggestion as long as it makes the comp more even and helps the development of rugby is SH.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Akari is right. This is not an attempt to attack NZ rugby with a sneaky plan. It is the complete opposite. If SA and OZ SR teams continues to be second grade compared to the Kiwi teams, who is gonna watch the games? If everyone knows before kickoff that there is 95 % chance that the Kiwi team will blow the other team of the park, why watch unless you are a hardcore fan? One thing worth remembering is that TV-money is by far the biggest revenue channel for all Sanzaar's members. If SR becomes a dead rubber competition contested - chance to win - only by 3-5 Kiwi team (and maybe one team outside NZ) the value of competition will drop. And if the value drops, NZRU (and ARU) would have an almost impossible mission to retain their players, considering how big the gap in salaries would be between SH and NH. Long term I think this will hurt the AB's also. Playing competitive matches in SR has been one of the cornerstones for AB player development. If half of the games in SR are a walk in the park, players will not be tested enough me think. And anyone who don't like this idea, take a minute to contemplate what would happen to NZ SR sides if some AB's played in OZ, SA or Japan? If Beauden Barret, Sam Whitlock and Ben Smith played for the Sunwolves, how much would that change the plot? (I know for sure a lot more people would watch the game between Chiefs and Sunwolves today, both on TV and at the ground). And if 20-30 eligible AB's played in OZ, SA or Japan, that would mean 20-30 free spots in NZ SR sides also, so Shag would get a bigger player pool to chose from. Just for the record: I would like a rule that stipulates that every SR team are allowed to max field/contract four overseas players. And if the player is a Test player, his national union should be allowed to rest him minimum 2 rounds per season.
Akari
Roar Rookie
They might eventually have no choice but to do so, Quin, if the current cricket scores continue against ASA franchises and the sponsors then start walking away from super rugby. Pigs may fly stuff but you asked.
Akari
Roar Rookie
Kirky, Kirky, Kirky - go wash your mouth with a Speight or two and then more of the same and that might help you appreciate the mere fact that the Landers need to play like that and win every week just to make the SR18 finals. As the Tahs and Reds are just about to beat the crap out of each other tonight, we can rest assured that the Brumbies are not yet threatened as leaders of the Australian conference. Long may that trend prevail!! ~ just saying!
OtakiCraig
Guest
Well said Jokerman or bro ... better to be a cuz or bro then to get a punch in the head by a Maori. It's all about heart bro then you can do anything
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
They should locate the sixth kiwi team in Perth ! and call it the Western Force ! Then it might be properly managed...
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
Calm down quin, do you really think it was a serious suggestion ??
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
Nothing wrong with the opposition fantasizing lara, all they are doing is searching for solutions so fair enough but gary, do you need viagra gary ?
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
Hahahahahaha - but then Sir Harry I'm not sure to which comment you are attributing those acerbic adjectives... or was it the performance of the stammers... sorry stormers.. :)
ScottD
Roar Guru
I thought he meant points scored?
Jaap
Guest
Dunno if that's the 'real test', they're playing a couple of low-placed teams. The real test was playing those derbies earlier in the season.
Hokonui27
Guest
Onya Clan....great game there last night. Love the positive attitude, and keeping the ball in hand which commits the opposition and often confuses them where the breakout will be. Impressive game and leadership from the Glassboys, forward pack, and wide runners. Keep up the impetus for the big games ahead......
Baylion
Roar Rookie
The Stormers played like the cheetahs at their worst. 15 individuals trying miracle offloads and passes, each trying to emulate Dillyn Leyds of a few weeks ago. But I'm not worried (I think) SA sides are trying to change their game and it takes time. The Lions were "fortunate" in that they had a year off to test and develop under the radar, the other teams don't have that luxury. At the moment the Stormers are committed and a step ahead of the rest, the Bulls next. The Sharks still haven't got a clue what they want to do while the Cheetahs are the Cheetahs
Quin
Guest
You know only NZRU can make that call don't you? Not SANZAAR not the ARU or SARU... Do you really thing they are going to dismantle a well oiled tank?