0
Stormers captain Jean de Villiers has vowed not to take the Western Force lightly this weekend off the back of his side's thrilling victory over the defending champion Bulls last weekend.
While the Western Force aren't one of the sides that comes to mind when you first think about the big contenders for this season's Super Rugby, they are far from being a walking bonus point and knocked over the Lions last weekend having drawn with the Blues the week before.
De Villiers is more than aware that his team can't get carried away with their win over Bulls and will need another big performance to maintain their unbeaten record against the Force.
"The Force are definitely a team that you can't take lightly," De Villiers told rugby365.com.
"They're a good defensive team and are good on the ground even without David Pocock."
The Stormers have enjoyed success this season through grit and determination and their position on top of the Super Rugby standings is slightly bizarre, as they have scored the least tries of any team in the competition.
"We have grunted out some wins with a reliable kicker, but it will become more important to score tries in some tighter games," De Villiers admitted.
"For us it's focusing on what we need to do and to keep on improving as a backline.
"Even though we won [against the Bulls] we know there is still a need to keep growing as a backline and executing our moves.
"We need to improve and we are aware of that, and while it [our improvement] hasn't been in huge steps, we are still improving."
While the Stormers attack has struggled this season, their defence has been impeccable and it will be tested once again on Saturday by the Force's backline lead by the talented James O'Connor.
De Villiers believes the team can't focus too hard on one individual, although he plans to keep a close eye on the slippery O'Connor.
"We'll try to get in his [O'Connor's] face and try get him on the ground," De Villiers said.
"He's played 20-odd Tests and three years of Super Rugby and I've never seen anybody get hold of him properly and he is a slippery customer and a great player."
The Stormers skipper is paired in the midfield with fellow Springbok Jaque Fourie, who is preferred to Juan de Jongh again this week, and coach Allister Coetzee admits choosing between three Bok centres is a challenge.
"I'm satisfied with the impact that Juan has made [from the bench] and and [the selection is what's best] for the team at this point," Coetzee told rugby365.com.
"Jaque Fourie is playing well and choosing between three Springbok centres is my positive headache.
"I had a chat all three of them at the beginning of the year, and said that we will look at giving them all starting game time and they will all play a role."
Coetzee, like De Villiers, also underlined his belief that you underestimate any side in Super rugby at your own peril and the Western Force are no exception.
"The Australians naturally play well and think on their feet, running good lines and thriving on quick ball," he said.
"If there is one team that this team has never been is slapgat.
"When you don't respect the situation and the opposition you find yourself embarrassed."
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by MI5_Dog
Supporter" starring the #SeaOfBlue
