Stomers look to dominate at Loftus

The Stormers will be favorites when they travel to Loftus tomorrow night to face the Bulls who had a disappointing 2012. With additions from the Lions such as Elton Jantjies, Jaco Taute, Martin Bezuidenhout to name but a few as well as players returning from injury. They look like the team to beat this year and could possibly be the favorites to win the whole competition if everything stays as is. The addition of the Lions players gives the team a lot of depth this season which they were missing last year. They will face an ever physical Bulls team especially as they look to improve on last year’s performance and will not be easy to beat. There are a few factors which I think will lead to the defeat of the Bulls tomorrow night. The Stormers game plan last year was to use their water tight defense to grind down teams and capitalize on their mistakes with their pin point accurate kicking. However not flashy it was highly effective and lead them to lose very few games. During the Currie Cup they kept their defense but developed a powerful attacking system which won them the Currie Cup. With the big names they have acquired and returning players they will have an impressive team with which to break down teams and hit them hard on attack. They now have the best of both worlds and have developed the complete game and will be very hard to beat especially with their blend of experience and youth. The factor which I believe is the most important is the fact that the Bulls have not changed at all. Coach Frans Ludeke has opted for experience and this will be his downfall. The Bulls had a terrible season and so did most of their players and yet they find themselves back in the team ahead of younger players who have proved themselves worthy. The Bulls style of rugby has not changed in the last 5 years and however it dominated 5 years ago, rugby has evolved. They still maintain the kick and chase method but with players such as Jaco Taute, Bryan Habana and Gio Aplon they might have a long evening. Their players are passed their sell by dates and they need new blood to revive their team. Its not like they don’t have such players, Wian Liebenberg, Handre Pollard, Shaun Addendorf are just a few players in a long list of players who could bring the X-factor they so sorely need. They could surprise us but I think it could turn out to be a Stormers domination at Loftus.

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