The Stormers will take on the touring Blues back at the Newlands in Cape Town after a month of road games in Round 5 Super Rugby. Join The Roar for live scores from March 18 12:05am (AEDT).
Both teams will be hungry in desperate for a win after having poor starts to the season and are near the bottom of their respective conferences.
Whichever team can come out victorious will look to push up the standings whilst the loser will be left behind near the bottom of the Super Rugby standings.
Back at the Newlands the Stormers will be hoping to stop a three-game losing streak and for them it starts with defence.
Slow starts and lacklustre defence have resulted with heavy points scored against them in the past few weeks with teams going over 30 points on each occasion.
This also isn’t helped by the fact the Stormers haven’t scored over 30 points themselves this season.
The Blues on the opposite end need to attack from the onset and put the Stormers on the back foot and put their defence under the pump.
Their two attacking weapons who are in amazing form this season Bryn Gatland at flyhalf and No.8 Akira Ioane who is one of the competitions leading try scorers this season need to lead from the front if the Blues want to come away with the victory.
Prediction
Both teams are struggling and will be desperate for the win but even with the Stormers back at home I see the Blues coming away with the win just due to the fact they have more attacking firepower and the Stormers have already been struggling defensively this season.
Join The Roar for live scores from March 18 12:05am (AEDT).
Sean
Guest
Harry you noticed also how DW adjusted his play to what was in front of him.That aspect you don't coach in a player,which makes it special ie the ability to adapt.Thought EW was also excellent in his reading of the game ie his support play/running.DdeA out-playing SBW was priceless & one of his best performances imo.Look forward a little to the 31 March game against the Bulletjies at Loftus and reckon we in with a chance over there if we can keep this momentum going...Reds up 1st obviously.
Katipo
Guest
@DaveSA I agree that the players and the rugby played is of the highest quality. Isn't it a shame that the players and spectators don't have the quality of tournament they deserve? I used to take comfort in knowing that the poor administration only impacted off-field. But yesterday's kit clash shows that Sanzaar's administrative incompetence knows no bounds and is now impacting on-field. Just sayin'
DavSA
Guest
I like your post Katipo . I also noticed the clash in kit . I also , being a bit old school feel that the dropping of geographical references has been detrimental to the tournament. But I also think that having watched quite a few games this year that for sheer enjoyment the tournament is delivering . I watched quite a bit of Pro 14 this year and it is just so much more methodical and boring .
Mark
Guest
The ENTIRE TEAM IS TRASH They are a Complete and Total Embarrassment to Auckland The COACH is TOTAL FAILURE
Mark
Guest
Tana needs to do the honourable thing and resign Worst Blues Coach Ever Totally and Completely Clueless Should have shut up and listened to Henry - he might have learnt something Selecting the biggest 15 Boofheads doesn't work or make a team - zero brain power in the Blues SBW is so far past it
Harry Jones
Expert
Sean, yes, I think Willemse would be a great Bok 22 or 23. Agree on RduP--shame. But jeez, we need a couple of 9s. Papier is promising.
Sean
Guest
Be hard far Rassie not to consider DW for a call up in June should he continue like this maybe even in a Bok A-team.Thought RdP has gone backwards since leaving us & joining up with his dad especially looking at him today.Competition looking healthy for Bok 10's jersey Harry?
Harry Jones
Expert
We had it, but only in little 5 minute spurts Then RR and DdeA would miss simple tackles and give up 14 quick points
As Mallett said, “where were they on tour? Why was there no energy and physicality then”
Katipo
Guest
Both teams wearing blue uniforms. Only a Sanzaar could “manage” this. That’s the same Sanzaar who thought of the conference system: decided some teams should play each twice, play some teams once and other teams not at all. That’s the same Sanzaar who thought it was a good idea to lose the geographic names from teams so that 22 years later people still ask me where The Stromers come from. Is it Melbourne? Farcical. Someone please put a bullet in this tournament and let’s start again.
Harry Jones
Expert
Good win Have to win at home when you kak away
Hmmm, that shoulder into the Stormers player on the ground reminds me of Bakkies Botha. Citing?
Jumbo
Guest
Wow that blues halfback replacement is trash.
Stino
Guest
Didn’t even notice SBH was on the field!
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
20 minutes left, time for the all-out attack Blues comeback? Or are the stars not aligned tonight?
Stin
Guest
Who these strips?!
felix
Guest
That victory for the Blues against the Lions took all the energy out of them,they look empty and riddled with mistakes. Thank you Lions for bashing all the juice out of them. Go Stormers!!.
Colvin
Guest
FFS you can't tell them apart. Both teams in similar blue. May as well watch Italy/Scotland. At least Italy changed to White.
Red Block
Guest
How can SANZAAR allow this to happen? Blue on Blue. It is impossible to tell who is who.
JMB
Guest
Both jerseys are very hard to tell apart!