Highlanders v Stormers

[The TRUTH]

This looks like a very even match on paper, dispite where they sit on the ladder this could turn out to be one of the best matches of the round.

Stormers: 15 Gio Aplon, 14 Breyton Paulse, 13 Jean de Villiers, 12 De Wet Barry, 11 Brent Russell, 10 Peter Grant, 9 JP Joubert, 8 Robbie Diack, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Luke Watson ©, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Gerrie Britz, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 JD Moller
Replacements: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Eddie Andrews, 18 Schalk Ferreira, 19 Francois van der Merwe, 20 Justin Melck, 21 Bolla Conradie, 22 Corne Uys

No news on the Highlanders as of yet.

 

[dobrien7]

Unfortunately our beloved Highlanders have been rat sh*t so far. Two tries in 3 games doesn't cut it. Only saving grace is a home game, dunno if that'll be enough, as Evans still isn't right I think.

 

[BokMagic]

The Highlanders are pretty solid up front, while the Stormers have been struggling at the coalface. Still no sign of our 2nd row bruiser, Francois vd Merwe, starting- why oh why not?

Got to back the Highlanders in this one, they are traditionally very hard to beat at home. In the Stormers` favour- traditionally one of SA`s 2 best touring teams, the other being the Sharks. That said, they`ve never beaten the Highlanders away, managing only 1 draw sometime in the 90`s. Can`t see the current crop setting that record straight, not under the current coaching staff anyway.

 

[Dumbo]

Highlanders all the way... home crowd, finally have got out of SA... AND the biggest thing... lets see how the Stormers travel.

Highlanders by 5

 

[Juggernaut]

This should be a very close encounter, with the Highlanders edging the Stormers for the win.


Highlanders by less than 7.

 

[esoj]

don't think evans is back yet for the highlanders and missing some other players to the abs and injury but they will have a home crowd and it can be dam hard to win down at the brook. stormers haven't been playing that great and will be on the road. highlanders by 3 in a close game

 

[The TRUTH]

Highlanders
1. Clarke Dermody
2. Jason MacDonald
3. Chris King
4. Hoani MacDonald
5. James Ryan
6. Josh Blackie ©
7. Alando Soakai
8. Craig Newby
9. Jimmy Cowan
10. Charlie Hore
11. Viliame Waqasaduadua
12. Callum Bruce
13. Matthew Saunders
14. Lucky Mulipola
15. Glen Horton

Reserves:
16. David Hall
17. Keith Cameron
18. Kane Thompson
19. Hale T-Pole
20. Toby Morland
21. Aaron Bancroft/Jason Kawau*
22. Craig Clare

 

[DNAPlay]

This will be a cakewalk for the Highlanders.

The powder puff Stormers "loose" five will once again be obliterated, while the entire team will just be following the orders of a clueless coach.

Highlanders for a full 5 point haul.

Stormers can only believe in miracles if they're looking to get anything other than a full Monty.

 

[Dumbo]

Head to Head:

HIGHLANDERS: 15 Glen Horton, 14 Lucky Mulipola, 13 Matthew Saunders, 12 Callum Bruce, 11 Viliama Waqaseduadua, 10 Charlie Hore, 9 Jimmy Cowan; 8 Craig Newby, 7 Alando Soakai, 6 Josh Blackie ©, 5 James Ryan, 4 Hoani MacDonald, 3 Clarke Dermody, 2 Jason Macdonald, 1 Chris King. Reserves: 16 David Hall, 17 Keith Cameron , 18 Kane Thompson, 19 Hale T-Pole, 20 Toby Morland, 21 Aaron Bancroft/Jason Kawau, 22 Craig Clare.

STORMERS: 15 Gio Aplon, 14 Breyton Paulse, 13 Jean de Villiers, 12 De Wet Barry, 11 Brent Russell, 10 Peter Grant, 9 JP Joubert; 8 Robbie Diack; 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Luke Watson ©, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Gerrie Britz, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 JD Moller. Reserves: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Eddie Andrews, 18 Schalk Ferreira, 19 Francois van der Merwe, 20 Justin Melck, 21 Bolla Conradie, 22 Corne Uys.

Mate on paper the Stormers have got the BIG names... 50/50 on this one.
Apparently hte Highlanders have not oput themselves on an 'beer' ban... not sure if that's going to help them.

 

[BokMagic]

Game starting at 06h00 local time- man, the things we do for the love of Rugby! So I guess I`ll be the one on the "beer ban" while watching this game. Imagine that- watching a game of rugby with a very srong cup of coffee, instead of the traditional beer and braaivleis!

 

[BokMagic]

Congratulations to the Highlanders- this game was over and done by half-time.

For the Highlanders, pretty much job done- easy pickings really, just keep the concentration, and this Stormers rabble will either throw a reckless pass, resulting in an intercept, or concede a penalty.

For the Stormers, well nothing new really- conceding 3 points immediately after their best period of rugby got them a try through Andries Bekker very much sums it up.

An intercept try, and the final nail in the coffin coming from Hale T-Pole after yet another reckless pass, certainly tells the full story.

The lack of a game-plan really irks- throwing the ball around, playing from touchline to touchline might work in the Currie Cup against the likes of the hapless Pumas, especially with some potent game-breakers in the backline, but against well-organised Super 14 defences, it is plainly not good enough. Coach Kobus vd Merwe is clearly out of his depth in this company- the sooner he goes, the better. 4 wins in 17 Super starts tells the whole story- it`s helluva embarrasing.