JayStarr says...

@ rugby_rockstar: This whole thing about Habana not being "as fast as he used to be" is a myth... He's just hardly had an open piece of field infront of him since joining the defense-orientated Stormers - so he could never really display his speed. But at practice he ran 40m in 4.77 seconds... That is lightning quick! Hopefully with fast, attack-orientated guys like Van den Heever, Aplon, De Jongh and Pietersen around him this year we'll see some of that speed!

@ maria14 & melkdave: I feel your pain! I lived in the UK for 9 years (until 2010) and I know how Sky started skimping on Super Rugby... At one point they only showed like 2 games a weekend... and usually the crap ones! I think they just don't want people in the NH to see how much better Super Rugby is... ;P I used to follow Planetrugby's live updates - quite descriptive!

@ NH Saints: I'm just being critical - the Stormers should still comfortably win this one. As a team who finished 2nd on the log last season, facing a team who will probably be trying to avoid the wooden spoon this year, they should see it as a failure if they can't get a 4-try bonus point.

@ bok120592: Habana's defense is the only part of his game that hasn't suffered over the last two years - he just needs to stay in line. On attack he'll be very valuable though, because the Hurricanes defense will place a lot of focus on him and thereby leave gaps open for JdV, Van den Heever, Pietersen, etc...

As for a weak back row - I'm not happy with the combination, but calling Schalk Burger and Duanne Vermeulen "weak" is the last thing I would do.!

@ dolgun: I was talking about last season. Ma'a Nonu was completely out of form for the vast majority of last season... He only showed up right at the end - but then he already lost his job. He transformed himself for the World Cup though... Let's hope he shows that form again.

Posted 16:31 22nd February 2012

melkdave says...

One hell of a back line and i see that JP.Pitersen has also moved to 13 seems to be the fate of wingers these days lol. Echo @Maria14s on his wishes for SKY to show more super15 Friday matches this year but i expect it will be only 1 match from Fridays and highlights same as usual .But at least Saturday will be wall to wall rugby lol God just hit me GF is going to start moaning i can see it now .So better make sure ive a large supply of beer to numb my ear ache LOL

Posted 15:02 22nd February 2012

bok120592 says...

good looking backline..apart from habana, not defensively good enough to be in the centres? backrow looks a bit weak, gunna have a tough time against vito and the hurricanes.

Posted 14:33 22nd February 2012

NHsaints says...

The Stormers are going to be dangerous...really dangerous, JayStarr raises a good point about the strength of the front row though...however conditions permitting my money is on the Stormers...

Posted 13:56 22nd February 2012

JayStarr says...

The front row looks weak... The Hurricanes will try to take us on here. I don't know why they're not playing Deon Carstens!? The loss of Elstadt will also weaken the the forwards (despite the hype, Etzebeth has not impressed me so far) and the inclusion of Nick Koster ahead of Siya Kolisi is wrong. He's not a better player and now Duane Vermeulen - whose best position is no.8 - has to move. So even though they're not playing against the toughest team, I'm expecting our forwards to come accross as a bit average and disjointed...

HOWEVER, that backline looks magnificent!

My only concern is Gary van Aswegen at 10 - brilliant player, but been out with injury so long... This is his first taste of Super Rugby in a long time - will he perform at the required level?

But outside him... I'm salivating! JdV at 12 (only SBW is a better 12 than him in the S15), with two of the fastest guys in Super Rugby next to each other - Habana and Van den Heever - and Gio Aplon and mini-me-Percy Joe Pietersen on the outside with loads of space to work with... Nom nom nom - tries will be scored..!!

Posted 13:03 22nd February 2012