VIDEO: Blues' triple threat for the Stormers
SUPER RUGBY REACTION: The Stormers’ famed defence is set to face a stern examination when they host the Blues at Newlands on Saturday.
The Stormers are sitting pretty at the top of the standings as the only unbeaten team in the competition and the five tries they have conceded (four of those against the Lions at Ellis Park) are significantly lower than their nearest rivals.
However, the Blues, after a fluky late 23-21 win over the Bulls at a rain-drenched Loftus Versfeld, are looking forward to putting on display their attacking skills in Cape Town.
Coach Leon MacDonald’s selection of three playmakers in the starting XV – at what is expected to be a dry and firm Newlands – may expose the Stormers in the same way the Lions did in Johannesburg.
He started with Otere Black at flyhalf, Stephen Perofeta moved to inside centre and Harry Plummer played at fullback – a selection policy he may well repeat against the Stormers.
Black’s distribution and kicking game was a big factor at a wet Loftus.
“In that weather, it was always going to be a game of little moments,” MacDonald said of what was only the Blues’ third victory in their last 14 matches in South Africa.
“We managed to get that last one [the Otere Black penalty after the hooter],” he said of the late Loftus winner.
“It was a different game to the one we normally play, but the fact that we could adapt, roll our sleeves up, get into the arm-wrestle and win in the end is really pleasing.”
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MacDonald played down the selection of three playmakers, suggesting the ‘utility’ factor as key to his team.
“Every No.12 is a playmaker,” he said of last week’s selection changes.
“Harry [Plummer] is the No.12 in the team. It is not a big deal really.
“Putting Stephen [Perofeta] at fullback is a bit different, but he has played a lot at fullback before.
“It is the nature of our squad – we have a lot of utility [players].
“We didn’t know it was going to be that wet. We were hoping to use the ball a little more.
“However, the boys have adapted very well.”
He said Perofeta had a great game at fullback.
“He was very brave under the high ball and dangerous on attack,” MacDonald said.
“He has a skillset that suits that position and obviously he is a bloody good No.10 as well.
“Harry was busy at No.12 and a good foil for Otere.
“I thought it went well.”
Captain Patrick Tuipulotu said the Stormers are ‘obviously’ setting the standard.
“They have a big physical pack,” Tuipulotu said, adding: “For us it sets the bar high.”
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