The second of only three matches this Saturday, and it is a big one in terms of the South African conference, where the Stormers could make it three wins from their four week tour. The Force though, are at home and will target a weakened Stormers outfit, thanks largely to unfortunate injuries.
Force captain David Pocock has seen his name in the media a lot this week, with rumours rife that he will join the Brumbies next season, as his contract is up at the end of the season, and with the Force future looking uncertain following Richard Graham’s movements. We will have to wait and see exactly what the effect of the coach’s movements is on the team who is yet to fire like they did a few seasons ago.
The Stormers’ confidence will be high after a good victory over the Reds last weekend, but have lost a few members to injury, and will start with an even more inexperienced loose trio than in previous weeks. Nizaam Carr joins Elstadt and Kolisi in a loose trio of 22 year olds, whil the captaincy goes to Andries Bekker in the absence of Schalk Burger and Jean de Villiers. A win today will put the Stormers in a very good position, as all their remaining matches are in South Africa, where they have been dominant so far this season.
Western Force: 1. Pek Cowan,2. Nathan Charles,3. Salesi Ma’afu,4. Toby Lynn,5. Nathan Sharpe,6. Matt Hodgson,7. David Pocock (Captain),8. Ben McCalman,9. Brett Sheehan,10. David Harvey,11. Napolioni Nalaga,12. Winston Stanley,13. Nick Cummins,14. Rory Sidey,15. Alfie Mafi
Reserves:16. Elvis Taione,17. Salesi Manu,18. Phoenix Battye,19. Richard Brown,20. Josh Holmes,21. Ben Seymour,22. Samu Wara
Stormers: 15. Joe Pietersen ,14. Gerhard van den Heever ,13. Bryan Habana,12. Juan de Jongh ,11. Danie Poolman,10. Peter Grant (VC),9. Dewaldt Duvenage,8. Nizaam Carr ,7. Rynhardt Elstadt,6. Siya Kolisi,5. Andries Bekker (C) ,4. De Kock Steenkamp ,3. Frans Malherbe ,2. Tiaan Liebenberg,1. Steven Kitshoff
Reserves: 16. Scarra Ntubeni,17. Brok Harris,18. Don Armand,19. Deon Fourie ,20. Louis Schreuder,21. Burton Francis,22. JP du Plessis
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant Ref 1:James Leckie
Assistant Ref 2:Damien Mitchelmore
TMO: Steve Leszczynski
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Go Stormers!
Here`s hoping Joe Pietersen takes all the shots at goal !! 😈
In the news. Sounds like Genia will be playing for the Force next year along with Pocock who extended his contract.
@Ben (Comment 3) : While they`ve got the cheque book out lets forward MB and MJ`s CV`s to them. . .
We`ll pay them a transfer fee! 😈
@Original Pierre (Comment 4) : I don’t even want to think about the Sharks this weekend.
Force 3 – 0 Stormers
17 mins
3 – 0
17mins
@Ben (Comment 5) : I agree 😈 We need some time away from stressfull situations aswell.
Intercept try. Habana
@Original Pierre (Comment 2) : Got Grant and Pieterson, so I dont care
Force 3 – 7 Stormers
22 mins
Half Time
Force 3 – 7 Stormers
The Stormers are being pushed off at ruck time too many times…it’s like they have lost ALL their physicality with the replacements in the team…
They need Vermeulen and Burger back…
Raining very hard. Pretty sloppy game so far.
@Hmmm (Comment 13) : You forgot Etzebeth.
Very interesting. Habana’s try should not have been awarded. He dove too early and lost the ball before going over the line. Ref was too far behind and awarded the try. Habana with his stupid glory boy stunts. 🙄
2nd half under way.
@Ben (Comment 15) :
Yip…
Kolisi / Carr / Steenkamp playing all at once puts the team in worse off position…
Makes the team easy to bully…
Try time Stromers. Peter Grant dives over.
Grant converts.
Force 3 – 17 Stormers
51 mins
Grant is my Capo for the round 😎
It is almost a relief NOT having the Sharks play this weekend. They cannot lose. My heart is spared.
I hope the Sharks are busy spending their ‘time off’ being coached and drilled to make up for the complete lack we have seen in the first half of the season…
Somehow I have little faith that the remainder of the season will turn out any better… 😥
Apologies for the pessimism, but I’m watching the Stormers about to knock up their 3rd win of their tour. I still haven’t got used to the Stormers doing better than the Sharks in Super rugby.
Around 10mins remaining.
Force 3 – 17 Stormers
76 mins
FULL TIME
Force 3 – 17 Stormers
Another boring game it seems 🙄
Thank you Stormers for keeping me alive in LMS.
@JarsonX (Comment 26) : The conditions were awful.