STORMERS

Tuesday 30th January 2007

The Stormers have often been disappointing. Even in their best year, 1999, they were disappointing when they got gold fever and thought making money more important than playing and ended losing a home semi-final. Last year much was expected of them and they drove disappointed fans away, even from Newlands where support is usually solid.

Even when it looked as if they must win, they managed to disappoint, somehow failing to win five successive home matches at the start of the tournament.

Then suddenly they looked like the side people had expected them to be by coming back from Down Under and beating the Crusaders 28-17 at Newlands.

Then again they have smart new outfits in Western Province's blue and white. Maybe that will bring a change of fortune and they will start clearing those final hurdles.

The 2006 Super 14 ended, as had Super tournaments before that, with lots of ifs. If they could have played the way they played against the Crusaders against the Waratahs, Brumbies, Hurricanes, Cheetah and so on, what a difference it would have made.

Strengths: Some excellent attacking players in Gio Aplon, Brent Russell, Jean de Villiers and Breyton Paulse. They have great counterattacking potential. They have loose forwards with the potential to break patterns but then Joe van Niekerk, who has been absent enough to be forgotten, will have to be less of the phantom than he has become. But then there is young Robbie Diack to step up - another Doug Hopwood? - and François Louw, a surprise omission, waiting in the wings.

Weaknesses: Front row. If JD Moller and improving Brok Harris are not there, they will battle. You would have thought that a team which could leave out François van der Merwe must have good locks and in a way they are - good chaps, but not the sort of men who dominate matches. The strengths of those attacking backs could also contain some elements of weakness, for none of them has a telling boot, either for poles or to clear the lines. That may be an argument for the inclusion of Naas Olivier, which is not a grievous problem for he has had some great moments.

Noteworthy signings: Conrad Jantjes (from the Lions), Brent Russell (from the Sharks), JP Joubert (from Griquas), Tiaan Liebenberg (from the Cheetahs)

Noteworthy losses: Sireli Naqelevuki (suspended for substance abuse), Neil de Kock (to Saracens), Paul Delport (seriously ill), Werner Greeff (retired), Marius Joubert (to the Cheetahs).

Coach: If Kobus van der Merwe can make happen or allow to happen the turnaround that happened after the Super 14 when suddenly Western Province became exciting, then the Stormers could just give great enjoyment.

Captain: Luke Watson. This is another "if". If Watson can exercise the same charismatic charm that he exercised over the young players of Western Province, again and enthuse the older players, the likes of Schalk Burger, if he can play as judiciously as he did up to the Currie Cup semi-final and not overplay his hand, the Stormers could have a leader of rare quality.

Players to watch: Those counter-attacking backs above all - Gio Aplon, Brent Russell and Breyton Paulse - none of them big goons, all of them skilled speedsters. You will see and watch and be astounded at Schalk Burger who is back in town.

2006 Position: 11th
Best finish: 2nd in 1999
Worst finish: 11th in 1996 and 2006. (That was worse in 1996 when there were only 12 teams. Mind you, not making it at all in 1997 may be the worst of all.)
Home venue: Newlands (capacity 50 000)

2007 Prediction: They came 11th with a favourable draw. What can one expect with this year's uncomfortable draw which includes two trips to New Zealand. 12th

Stormers squad: Eddie Andrews, Gio Aplon, De Wet Barry, Andries Bekker, Selborne Boome, Gerrie Britz, Schalk Brits, Schalk Burger, Bolla Conradie, Jean de Villiers, Dylan Des Fountain, Robbie Diack, Huia Edmonds, Schalk Ferreira, Peter Grant, Brok Harris, Conrad Jantjes, JP Joubert, Tiaan Liebenberg, Justin Melck, JD Moller, Naas Olivier, Breyton Paulse, Joe Pietersen, Brent Russell, Ross Skeate, Egon Seconds, Corné Uys, Joe van Niekerk, Luke Watson.

Schedule:

3 February: v Cheetahs, away
9 February: v Western Force, home
16 February: v Chiefs, home
24 February: v Highlanders, away
3 March: v Hurricanes, away
9 March: v Brumbies, away
17 March: v Waratahs, away
24 March: v Crusaders, away
7 April: v Lions, home
14 April: v Bulls, away
21 April: v Blues , home
28 April: v Reds, home
5 May: v Sharks , home