Brumbies target Stormers' line-out

 

The Brumbies coach pointed to the line-out as an area of weakness for the Stormers.

 

Both teams, the Brumbies and Stormers, are both coming off hard-fought derby losses – which will put added pressure on the camps, as they look to rectify that by preparing for their encounter in Cape Town. 

 

"It's about focusing on your job and focusing on your game," Larkham said at a press conference at their hotel in Cape Town.

 

"We've done a fair bit of research on the Stormers and they are a dangerous outfit," he added.

 

Since Manuel Carizza's injury, the Stormers' line-outs have fallen to pieces.

 

Ruan Botha called the shots in the set-pieces last Saturday and it did not go down well.

 

However, when Eben Etzebeth was controlling the calls he did not do a much better job.

 

It can also partly be blamed on Bongi Mbonambi, who is no John Smit when it comes to hitting his jumpers. Siyabonga Ntubeni is, once again, not much better in that regard.

 

Larkham said that the Stormers' line-out is definitely an area that the Brumbies have looked at in preparation for the clash at Newlands.

 

"They [the Stormers] are not being as consistent as they need to be there, and it is partly the calling and the movement and partly some of the throwing,"  added Larkham.

 

"We have certainly identified that. 

 

"It is something that can be a little hot and cold through the season, but they have had a string of poor games in the line-out and that is certainly something we have looked at."

 

Stormers' coach Allister Coetzee has been dropping hints of recent that with Juan de Jongh a doubt for Saturday, Damien De Allende may shift to outside centre with Jaco Taute possibly slotting in at inside centre. 

 

Larkham believes that if anything it will bolster the Stormers team.

 

"They are two hard, ball-running centres. It will give them a lot more punch," Larkham explained.

 

"With De Jongh out they will be lacking a bit of skill and speed out-wide, but Taute and De Allende are Springbok centres. 

 

"You don't play for the Springboks in the centres if you are not a hard runner and hard tackler, so it will strengthen their side if anything."

 

Larkham was envious when speaking of the Stormers' pivots, saying they are in a fortunate position of having diverse options in the flyhalf position. 

 

Albeit not working in their favour last weekend, as Kurt Coleman was hopeless with the boot.

 

"[Demitri] Catrakilis controls the game very well, he has a good pass and kicking game and is certainly willing in defence.

 

"Coleman brings the running [aspect] to their game, has good feet and takes the line on. In the flyhalves that they have, they have good balance, and variation.

 

"I like the way that he [Coetzee] has been using them both in a game and that's probably the way forward. He is in a good position to be able to have two flyhalves at Super Rugby standard."

 

If the Stormers want to continue a dual effort at flyhalf, Coleman will certainly have to address his goal-kicking efforts, as according to Larkham, to be the best you have to have a points scoring machine as a kicker in your side.

 

"In Super Rugby the best teams in the competitions always have good goal-kickers."