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stormers must not blow hot and cold

TOMORROW'S Super 14 clash between the Stormers and Hurricanes at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town is the pick of this weekend's fixtures.

TOMORROW'S Super 14 clash between the Stormers and Hurricanes at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town is the pick of this weekend's fixtures.

With both sides sitting on 14 points and three wins apiece, this is the match for one of the sides to stamp their authority on the competition in search of a semifinal spot.

The Stormers will know the importance of getting a win, considering they have just one more home game before hitting the road for the overseas leg of their campaign.

Apart from one change - a fit-again Tiaan Liebenberg taking over the hooking duties from Deon Fourie - the Stormers line-up is unchanged from last week's 33-0 demolition of the Highlanders.

Coach Allistair Coetzee must be counting his blessings after his squad has remained relatively injury-free this season.

Fijian-born wing Sireli Naqelevuki again gets the nod ahead of Gio Aplon out wide and it's a strategy that is paying dividends for the Stormers.

Taking the ball up, the 100-odd kilogram Naqelevuki appears to be hungry for work this year, whereas in the past he has had periods in games where he has switched off and gone AWOL.

"We want to keep the ball in hand this week," Coetzee says on the Stormers website.

"Rain is forecast for Saturday, and while we won't fight the elements, we'd like to play a running game."

The All Black-laden Hurricanes will definitely be an improved side to the one that went down to the Cheetahs 12-28 last weekend. Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Tamati Ellison and Corey Jane have the talent and experience to turn a game on its head and coach Colin Cooper will be hoping those silky skills come to the fore tomorrow evening (kickoff 5.10pm)

Still hungry for a win, the Lions are up against the Wara- tahs this morning in Sydney, Australia (kickoff 10.40am). Even with the return of Jano Vermaak to the side, the Waratahs will be too strong.

The Bulls, well rested after a bye last week, should prove too much for New Zealand's Highlanders at Loftus.

As expected, Bulls coach Frans Ludeke has named a fit-again Pierre Spies in his starting line-up.

The match is a personal milestone for captain and Springbok lock Victor Matfield, as he leads the team for the 50th time in Super rugby.

The Highlanders have overlooked Adam Thomson and Michael Hobbs for breaking a team curfew in the week.

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