Super Rugby: ‘You’re not as physical as the Waratahs’ - Stormers coach taunts Brumbies

STORMERS coach Allister Coetzee has given the Brumbies all the ammunition they need for their elimination final, saying the Canberrans are not as physical as NSW.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 13: Henry Speight of the Brumbies is tackled during the round 18 Super Rugby match between the Brumbies and the Crusaders at GIO Stadium on June 13, 2015 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Stefan Postles/Getty Images)

STORMERS coach Allister Coetzee has given the Brumbies all the ammunition they need for their elimination final in Cape Town, saying the Canberrans are not as physical as their Australian rivals NSW.

In a snipe that will be ringing in the ears of Brumbies players on Saturday, Coetzee said the loss of captain Duane Vermeulen with injury for this crucial clash should not matter, because the Stormers defeated the Waratahs without him earlier this year.

“We will be looking at big physical intensity, we know we will miss our regular captain Duane Vermeulen in that regard, but we beat the Waratahs in Sydney without him earlier in the season, and I don’t think the Brumbies are more physical than the Waratahs,” Coetzee said.

The Stormers physically hammered NSW to win 32-18 in Sydney on April 11.

In what is expected to be a fiery showdown this Sunday (1.05am AEST), the Stormers host the Brumbies for a spot in the semi-finals and the home side has already pointed out weaknesses in the armour of the visitors.

Stormers winger Seabelo Senatla believes they’ll expose the Brumbies on the wide edges of the field.

Waratahs winger Rob Horne is belted in a Stormers tackle.

“Their kicking game makes you think that counterattacking will be a weapon, but I think there will also be some space on the sides because of the way they (Brumbies) defend, so if we can get our width right, we can hurt them on the wide channels,” Senatla said.

“Also, they like keeping their back three behind the line as cover, so that opens up some space on the line because they rely on 12 players to cover that space. So in terms of attacking, we will either look to attack wide or through the middle and get through them in general play.”

Coetzee says his side will not be drawn into any niggle by the Brumbies.

“Knock-out matches are different to league matches, you only get one shot at it, you have to be on your game and you have to ensure you dominate physically from the outset,” Coetzee said.

“To ask players to be physical in the quarters is to express an understatement.

“There will always be edge in every game, and particularly in a knockout match. But off the ball stuff is not good for the spectacle.

“We want to play positive rugby, so we won’t allow ourselves to get drawn into a dogfight, we will not be drawn into off-the-ball stuff.

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee.

“We have been one of the least penalised teams in the competition and we need to keep it that way now that the business end has arrived.”

The two sides met last month in Cape Town, where Brumbies playmaker Christian Lealiifano missed a regulation conversion, allowing the Stormers to win 25-24 despite being outscored two tries to one.

Lealiifano, playing in his 100th Super Rugby match, told reporters he does not consider this game to be an opportunity for redemption.

“I wouldn’t say redemption, I haven’t thought about that kick until you just asked me,” Lealiifano said.

“I’ve taken every game as if it’s going to be my last, so playing 100 games is a special time. I’m going to give the team as much as I can and hopefully we can get the result.”

Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has backed Lealiifano to deliver this time.

“He’s working very hard at it and that’s what gives everyone confidence around him,” Larkham said. “Particularly since that miss, Christian has spent more time in training practising his conversions and penalty kicks.

“I think we saw a bit of a turnaround over the last month with his goal-kicking.”

STORMERS v BRUMBIES, NEWLANDS, CAPE TOWN

Sunday 1.05am (live on FoxSports2)

Stormers:

15. Cheslin Kolbe 14. Dillyn Leyds 13. Juan De Jongh 12. Damian de Allende 11. Seabelo Senatla 10. Demetri Catrakilis 9. Nicholas Groom 8. Nizaam Carr 7. Siyamthanda Kolisi 6. Schalk Burger 5. Manuel Carizza 4. Eben Etzebeth 3 Jozua Malherbe 2. Mbongeni Mbonambi 1. Steven Kitshoff. Reserves: 16. Siyabonga Ntubeni 17. Alistair Vermaak 18. Vincent Koch 19. Jean Kleyn 20. Michael Rhodes 21. Louis Schreuder 22. Kurt Coleman 23. Jacob Taute.

Brumbies:

15. Jesse Mogg 14. Henry Speight 13. Tevita Kuridrani 12. Robbie Coleman 11. Joe Tomane 10. Christian Lealiifano 9. Nic White 8. Ita Vaea 7. David Pocock 6. Scott Fardy 5. Blake Enever 4. Rory Arnold 3. Ben Alexander 2. Stephen Moore (c) 1. Scott Sio. Reserves: 16. Josh Mann-Rea 17. Allan Alaalatoa 18. Ruan Smith 19. Jordan Smiler 20. Jarrad Butler 21. Michael Dowsett 22. Matt Toomua 23. James Dargaville 24. Les Makin 25. Nigel Ah Wong (two to be ommited).

Originally published as Super Rugby: ‘You’re not as physical as the Waratahs’ - Stormers coach taunts Brumbies