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02/03/2008 22:32
Stephen Nell
Cape Town - Luke Watson should be fit to play in the Super 14 rugby match against the Reds in Brisbane on Saturday, but it is still unclear what Stormers coach Rassie Erasmus has in mind with his loose-forward combination.
Watson can take over on the open-side flank from Pieter Myburgh, but he can also be selected at No 8, where Robbie Diack played on Saturday.
Myburgh, playing for 45 minutes in his Super 14 debut at the weekend, came off second best to Richie McCaw, but managed to impress the All Black captain.
Diack's performance at No 8, however, may persuade Erasmus to move Watson back to the flank until Schalk Burger returns from his suspension next week.
It's going to be a tough week for the Stormers, who were due to arrive in Brisbane only on Monday morning after flying via Hong Kong to Sydney, where they slept on Sunday night.
Former All Black flyhalf Tony Brown is expected to join the Stormers during their tour of Australasia and may be available to play against the Chiefs next week.
The Stormers need a player such as Brown because Peter Grant, even though he kicks well at goal and is a solid defender, has been unable to dictate proceedings.
Grant's touch kicking has also not been up to standard but the Stormers can call on Conrad Jantjes to play a more significant role in this department.
Four members of the team's management were unable to fly with the team and departed only on Sunday. They are commercial manager Frikkie Erasmus, assistant coaches Allister Coetzee and Gary Gold and kicking coach Louis Koen.
Ioane was cited for dangerous tackle
The Stormers' chances of winning their first match of the season improved on Sunday when it was announced that one of the key players in the Reds' squad had been suspended until March 23.
Wallaby wing Digby Ioane was cited for a dangerous tackle on Stephen Hoiles of the Brumbies on Saturday and appeared before a disciplinary committee.
With Terry 'The Hangman' Willis as chairperson, the committee found Ioane guilty. He could have been suspended for six weeks but his good record counted in his favour.
Willis was also involved when Springbok loose forward Schalk Burger was suspended for four matches for a dangerous tackle on a Samoan player during the World Cup tournament last year. The punishment was later reduced to two matches.
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