adminCape Town — Brumbies loose forward David Pocock has been named in coach Stephen Larkham’s side for today’s playoff against the Stormers at Newlands, but reports suggest that his condition will be monitored up until kickoff. The Stormers, meanwhile, were sweating over the availability of Schalk Burger after the flank picked up a groin injury at training on Thursday. Pocock was due to undergo more concussion tests yesterday.
The Wallaby veteran left the field last weekend against the Crusaders with concussion, and Larkham confirmed this week that the player was “on track” to play against the South African conference champions.
But Stormers coach Allister Coetzee is not spending any time thinking about Pocock’s recovery, and was quick to point out that the Brumbies forwards threat is about more than one player.
“If he’s not playing they will still have a fantastic back three,” said Coetzee.
“(Jarrad) Butler is a fantastic player… when he came on against the Crusaders he scored two tries in the end, effectively.
“It’s very similar to their squad mentality — whoever comes in settles in nicely. If Pocock is not playing then Butler will definitely do that job of a poacher and as a runner and the guy at the back of driving mauls that can finish a job.”
Coetzee again expected the battle for ball to have a major say in today’s outcome, as was the case when the sides met last month in a league match.
“It’s a difficult team to play. They’re hard at the breakdown, they will do whatever they can to slow our ball down and so that’s where the contest will be,” he said.
“For us we understand that we won’t get ball on a platter, we’ve got to earn and work hard for that. They’re a team with a massive work-rate.
“The Brumbies don’t play rugby in their half — they simply don’t. They’re a distance kicking side and they want you to play and make mistakes and we understand that.
“They will also be testing and putting balls behind us, try and pin maybe Cheslin (Kolbe) and the wingers down. But we’ve worked out plans and hopefully we’re really accurate with our plans and when we get it right there will be lots of opportunities.”
Kick-off this afternoon at 17:05.
Teams:
Stormers:
15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 Juan de Jongh (captain), 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Manuel Carizza, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Jean Kleyn, 20 Michael Rhodes, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Kurt Coleman, 23 Jaco Taute
Brumbies:
15 Jesse Mogg, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Robbie Coleman, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 Nic White, 8 Ita Vaea, 7 David Pocock, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Blake Enever, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore (captain), 1 Scott Sio
Substitutes (from): 16 Josh Mann-Rea, 17 Allan Alaalatoa, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Jordan Smiler, 20 Jarrad Butler, 21 Michael Dowsett, 22 Matt Toomua, 23 James Dargaville, 24 Les Makin, 25 Nigel Ah Wong — Sport 24
Online Reporter