28/02/2008 14:29

"The Stormers are a team that worry me. They haven't put on a winning performance in the Super 14 this season, but they have players that could change that," said Carter, who has shown he is fast returning to the form when just over a year saw him being rated as easily the best flyhalf in the world.

And he reminded the local media the Crusaders did suffer defeat (28-17) at Newlands previously. "They've had their backs to the wall in the past, but managed to get up for the game and topple us. That's what happened a couple of years ago - they gave us a beating."

What Carter didn't mention was at the time the Crusaders had rested several key players (such as himself and Richie McCaw) and at that late stage of the season, the team were already assured of a home play-off berth.

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And the Stormers played with gay abandon because they were totally out of the running for the play-offs at the time.

On Friday night, the Stormers' chances of finally notching a win this season are pencil-slim. After two outings against fellow SA rivals the Bulls and the Sharks, the Stormers' match stats make for grim reading except in the 'tries scored against' column, where they match up to the Crusaders as the only two teams to have conceded a single try this season.

As disappointing as the Stormers may have been to date, there has been a big improvement in defence and Crusaders' skipper McCaw has picked up on that.

Last year the Stormers had one of the poorest defensive records.

"It's a little bit different to the way they have done it in the past," McCaw said. "They used to have the rush defence that used to really put you under pressure. But I don't know if the 5m back from the scum has created that or they have changed their philosophy.

"They have still got that up their sleeve, but are a little bit more calculated."

Teams: Stormers - Conrad Jantjes, Tonderaj Chavhanga, Gcobani Bobo, Jean de Villiers (captain), Sireli Naqelevuki, Peter Grant, Ricky Januarie, Luke Watson, Francois Louw, Pieter Myburgh, Andries Bekker, Adriaan Fondse, Brian Mujati, Tiaan Liebenberg, JD Moller. Reserves: Schalk Brits, Brok Harris, Ross Skeate, Robbie Diack, Bolla Conradie, Gio Aplon, Dylan Des Fountain.

Crusaders - Leon MacDonald, Kade Poki, Casey Laulala, Stephen Brett, Caleb Ralph, Daniel Carter, Andrew Ellis, Mose Tuiali'i, Richard McCaw (captain), Kieran Read, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Campbell Johnstone, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Ti'i Paulo, Greg Somerville, Reuben Thorne, Nasi Manu, Kahn Fotuali'i, Tim Bateman, Sean Maitland.

Officials: Referee: Matt Goddard (Australia) Touch judges: Brett Bowden (Australia), Pro Legoete (South Africa) Television match official: Johan Meuwesen (South Africa) Assessor: Dennis Immelman (South Africa)