12/03/2008 22:12

Stephen Nell

Cape Town - World Cup star Schalk Burger will be back in his favourite position when the Stormers take on the Chiefs in a Super 14 rugby match in Hamilton, New Zealand, on Friday.

Burger will be on the flank despite Luke Watson's outstanding performance in the No 6 jersey against the Reds last week.

Watson returns to No 8, where he played earlier this season, and Robbie Diack moves to the bench.

Stormers coach Rassie Erasmus is delighted to have Burger back in the side after his two-match suspension.

"Schalk's presence will be very valuable against the Chiefs," Erasmus said on Wednesday. "He is eager to be part of the process to turn the team's season in the right direction.

"He puts himself under a lot of pressure to be at the centre of it. For that reason it would have been rather emotional for him to serve a suspension," the coach added.

Burger was in good form before he was yellow-carded during the match against the Sharks and then cited and suspended for unsportsmanlike behaviour towards assistant referee Willie Roos.

His return and Watson's move to No 8 are the only changes to the starting lineup that beat the Reds 34-16.

Play more towards the ball

There were indications earlier this week that Burger may start at No 8 after Watson's outstanding performance last week.

However, Erasmus explained on Wednesday that the team had not attacked from any of their seven scrum put-ins against the Reds.

"Luke will play more towards the ball when he is at No 8 because he is the first one to see how play develops."

The Stormers play the Blues the week after the match against the Chiefs and Erasmus does not expect the pressure to ease.

"We are now in the same log position where we finished last year, and we want to improve," he said.

The Chiefs have surprised by dropping big No 8 Sione Lauaki to the bench and bringing in Liam Messam.

"Sione has started in four consecutive matches so it's time for him to have a break," Chiefs coach Ian Foster said on Wednesday.

Richard Kahui is fit again and will be at inside centre, alongside versatile All Black Mils Muliaina, who will captain the home team.

The teams:

Stormers: Conrad Jantjes, Tonderai Chavhanga, Gcobani Bobo, Jean de Villiers (capt), Sireli Naqelevuki, Peter Grant, Ricky Januarie, Luke Watson, Francois Louw, Schalk Burger, Andries Bekker, Adriaan Fondse, Brian Mujati, Schalk Brits, JD Moller.

Substitutes: Deon Fourie, Brock Harris, Ross Skeate, Robbie Diack, Bolla Conradie, Gio Aplon and Dylan des Fountain.

Chiefs: Sosene Anesi, Lelia Masaga, Mils Muliaina (capt), Richard Kahui, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Stephen Donald, Brendon Leonard, Liam Messam, Tom Harding, Faifili Levave, Kevin O'Neill, Toby Lynn, Ben May, Tom Willis, Simms Davison.

Substitutes: Vern Kamo, Ben Castle, Hayden Hopgood, Sione Lauaki, Tanerau Latimer, David Bason and Callum Bruce.