Real battle at back of the scrum?

 

With Stormers inside centre Damian de Allende having made an impressive start to the season, the prospect of him going up against Chiefs star Sonny Bill Williams has grabbed most of the attention in the build-up to the showdown between the leaders of the South African and New Zealand conferences.

 

However, before the ball goes to the backline it will have to get past the two captains Duane Vermeulen and Liam Messam, and the Chiefs skipper for one can't wait to measure himself against a player he regards as one of the best No.8s in the world.

 

"I always look forward to playing against big Duane, he is one of the best No.8s going around at the moment – him and Kieran Read.

 

"So I always look forward to that big challenge, and we have got some young guys on the side of our scrum that are looking forward to playing our first South African team," he said.

 

Messam added that he is also keen to see how De Allende measures up to Williams in what should be a titanic gainline clash in midfield.

 

"Their No.12 is really good on his feet, he is a big boy and he gets them over the gainline quickly. 

 

"We have also got a good 12 in our team so hopefully those two can meet at the gainline which will be pretty good to watch," he said.

 

Although the Chiefs backline did not manage to make the most of their opportunities in their surprise defeat to the Highlanders last week, their scrum was dominant and coach Dave Rennie knows they will have to be just as good this weekend against a Stormers scrum that shoved a Springbok-laden Sharks pack around last week.

 

"It is certainly an area that our boys are really focused on, and if you see what the Stormers have done against the Sharks last week it is a real weapon for them. 

 

"If you dominate there it is a chance to disrupt pill at the source so we know it will be a big part of their plan this week and we are going to have to be very strong in that area.

 

"There is no doubt that if you can't win your scrum ball then you are under a little bit of pressure, especially because you are going to be penalised a lot and give up a lot of territory," he said.

 

Rennie has been impressed with the way the Stormers have varied their game in their unbeaten start to the season, and expects them to put his side under pressure both up front and out wide.

 

"We know we will need to be pretty sharp this week, the Stormers have been impressive and are always tough at home.

 

"We have got a lot of respect for them, we got beaten the last time we were here a couple of years ago.

 

"We know that they will carry hard and be really physical and clean, so we are going to have to bar up in a lot of areas.

 

"Unlike some other South African sides they [Stormers] have got a lot of strings to their bow, they are a side that can offload and play a pretty similar game to us.

 

"They are always very physical but they are a South African side that can play a bit of footy as well. They have got some pretty big backs and some pace, so we are aware of their strengths and we know we are going to have to play really well to be competitive, but we have got a pretty good squad as well so it should be a helluva game," he said.

 

Another factor to consider is that the game will be played in the afternoon, and Rennie is looking forward to an open game which tests the fitness of both teams.

 

"It is going to be a hot game in the afternoon, hopefully in the bright sun and both teams will be keen to play it quick," he said.