Deans wary of Stormers' upset
2008-02-28 12:31
Sydney - Coach Robbie Deans is keen to play down the significance of his Crusaders' dazzling start to this year's Super 14, warning of a possible Stormers' ambush in Cape Town on Friday.
The six-time tournament winners are bidding for their first unbeaten tour of South Africa since 2002 after blitzing defending champions Northern Bulls 54-19 in Pretoria last weekend as part of an 11-try opening to the season.
The Crusaders lead the southern hemisphere provincial rugby series with fellow New Zealanders, Auckland Blues, on 10 maximum points and looking ominous early season title contenders.
But Deans, who will become Australia's first foreign coach after the Super 14, is not letting it all go to the Crusaders' heads and is respectful of the Stormers, missing suspended Springbok flanker Schalk Burger.
"We know what they are capable of. We saw that two years ago on our last visit," Deans said of their 28-17 defeat at Newlands.
"In this competition, every side can beat every other side. If you don't prepare properly and get your attitude right, you'll get hurt.
Three changes
"The only expectations on them are their own, but they'll relish that situation and throw everything at us. It's going to be a big test of our attitude, and our desire."
The Crusaders have made three changes with winger Caleb Ralph and props Wyatt Crockett and Campbell Johnstone coming into the starting XV.
The unbeaten Blues have made one switch with winger Rudi Wulf coming in for Anthony Tuitavaketo against the winless Cheetahs on Saturday.
Coach David Nucifora said continuity was the key factor in deciding to keep the rest of his starting line-up intact against the Cheetahs, who have suffered one-point losses in each of the first two rounds.
The third-placed Sharks are expecting the wounded Bulls to hit back after their Crusaders' humiliation when last year's finalists face each other again in Pretoria on Saturday.
Good players
"We have huge respect for the Bulls. And they caught the Crusaders when they were flying and lost their own way a bit.
There are a lot of good players in their team and they aren't the Super 14 champs for nothing," Sharks assistant coach Grant Bashford said.
Western Force coach John Mitchell has warned Chris O'Young his place isn't assured after leaving him out of Friday's match with the Golden Lions in Johannesburg.
O'Young has flown from Scotland to South Africa to replace the disgraced Matt Henjak, who was sacked following the attack on teammate Haig Sare which broke his jaw.
But O'Young's return will have to wait, after Mitchell stuck with the inexperienced James Stannard at scrum-half, following an impressive showing in last weekend's win against the Cheetahs.
Selection shock
The Brumbies have dumped rising young scrum-half Josh Holmes for Saturday's Australian derby against Queensland Reds in Canberra.
Brumbies coach Laurie Fisher delivered the selection shock after Holmes was guilty of an unacceptable number of missed tackles in the 22-20 win over the Highlanders and has preferred Patrick Phibbs.
Will Genia has been called by the Reds after Wallaby scrumhalf Sam Cordingley failed to recover from a groin injury.
Young prop Sekope Kepu will make his starting debut for the Waratahs against the Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday after Wallabies prop Al Baxter was ruled out with concussion.
The Wellington Hurricanes have the edge over Chiefs at home on Friday with the Hurricanes winning seven of their 12 previous encounters.