Stormers need 'something special'

 

The Stormers arrived in New Zealand late on Monday night ahead of their tough Australasian tour which will see them take on the Chiefs, Reds and Brumbies after their clash with the Crusaders on Saturday. 

 

The Springbok and Stormers captain is looking for a big result from his young charges as he hopes to break records with a victory in Christchurch.

 

The Cape team, by their own admittance, have had a terrible start to the campaign with a horrendous performance against a fired-up Lions team and a daring escape act to pick up a one point victory against the travelling Hurricanes at Newlands last week.

 

De Villiers told the Stormers website that his side will have to lift their game considerably if they are to break their Christchurch duck.

 

"If we win there we would have achieved something special, something we haven't achieved in the past and it's a great challenge for us as a young squad," he said.

 

However, the Crusaders have not had it all their own way either in the early stages of the tournament. Two losses from two indicates another characteristic slow start from from the most successful Super Rugby team. 

 

The Blues managed to come back from behind to win comfortably against a team that is known for closing out games and the Chiefs were able to deny them a bonus point with a try right at the final hooter.

 

de Villiers will take comfort in the fact that the Crusaders have not hit their straps yet, they have conceded five tries and left plenty of points on the field due mostly to poor place kicking. 

 

This could be the opportunity the Stormers need to kick start their away leg with some tries against the home team

 

The inclement weather looks like it will have a big say on the outcome however as De Villiers mentioned when speaking with the Stormers website.

 

"It's been really cold, wet and windy here the past few days and it turned for the worst today… in fact, we lasted only twenty minutes at training.

 

We decided to postpone training as it wasn't ideal conditions to get things done. I must say it's probably some of the worst weather I have experienced in New Zealand and it's meant to be summer here," he added.

 

With that being said, The captain is still fired up for the battle that lies ahead of them.

 

"Simply put – it's a great challenge for us against a very successful Super Rugby franchise.

 

"Playing against the Crusaders is really tough, as you can note by the fact that no South African team has won there in ages. But that also means it's a great challenge for us," he said.