THE Stormers departed for their tough four-match Australasian tour yesterday buoyed by a scrappy 19-18 win over the Hurricanes and the performances of key individuals.
Centre Damian de Allende all but cemented his place in the No12 jersey for the foreseeable future with a superb display that mixed raw power with finesse and tactical awareness.
De Allende's excellence at centre only served to underline what a mistake the coaching staff made in picking him on the wing for the Stormers' tournament opener against the Lions the previous week.
That day the Cape side slumped to a 34-10 defeat. While it is impossible to say that had De Allende played at centre against the Lions it would have changed the outcome, it is fair to say the intensity he brought at 12 against the Hurricanes energised his entire team.
Decorated All Black centre and Hurricanes captain Conrad Smith was impressed with his first close-up view of the bruising De Allende.
"He's very good," was Smith's assessment of the 1.90m, 105kg De Allende.
"Obviously he's a big, physical guy and he made a lot of yards for them. He was brilliant, actually. He created a lot of opportunities and I reckon the Stormers will do well with he and Jean de Villiers in the midfield."
More positive news is that flyhalf Peter Grant will join the squad in New Zealand.
Grant has completed his club commitments with Kobelco Steelers in Japan and will form part of the 27-man squad for matches against the Crusaders, Chiefs, Brumbies and Reds.
The Stormers have a tough fixture list on tour, where they open their account against the Crusaders in Christchurch next Saturday. They have never beaten the seven-time champions away from home.
The Crusaders will also be dangerously desperate after losing their opening two matches of the tournament.
Stormers can travel a lot easier
THE Stormers departed for their tough four-match Australasian tour yesterday buoyed by a scrappy 19-18 win over the Hurricanes and the performances of key individuals.
Centre Damian de Allende all but cemented his place in the No12 jersey for the foreseeable future with a superb display that mixed raw power with finesse and tactical awareness.
De Allende's excellence at centre only served to underline what a mistake the coaching staff made in picking him on the wing for the Stormers' tournament opener against the Lions the previous week.
That day the Cape side slumped to a 34-10 defeat. While it is impossible to say that had De Allende played at centre against the Lions it would have changed the outcome, it is fair to say the intensity he brought at 12 against the Hurricanes energised his entire team.
Decorated All Black centre and Hurricanes captain Conrad Smith was impressed with his first close-up view of the bruising De Allende.
"He's very good," was Smith's assessment of the 1.90m, 105kg De Allende.
"Obviously he's a big, physical guy and he made a lot of yards for them. He was brilliant, actually. He created a lot of opportunities and I reckon the Stormers will do well with he and Jean de Villiers in the midfield."
More positive news is that flyhalf Peter Grant will join the squad in New Zealand.
Grant has completed his club commitments with Kobelco Steelers in Japan and will form part of the 27-man squad for matches against the Crusaders, Chiefs, Brumbies and Reds.
The Stormers have a tough fixture list on tour, where they open their account against the Crusaders in Christchurch next Saturday. They have never beaten the seven-time champions away from home.
The Crusaders will also be dangerously desperate after losing their opening two matches of the tournament.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos