Don’t you watch rugby… Luke Watson is NO fetcher pal… other than a few turnovers many moons ago… he shies away from the breakdown… spending his time in the backline… hence Rassie’s use of him as a ‘utility-link-8′ last year… but now with Vermeulen in the mix… and an excellent 7 in the making in Louw… once all injury free… Watson will be lucky to warm the bench….

with lavea there trying to direct things i reckon the blues are gonna struggle to finish even mid table.

Lavea, returning to the Auckland-based franchise after two seasons with the Chiefs, gets the No 10 jersey ahead of former Hurricane Jimmy Gopperth.

However, Gopperth is likely to play some part in the match, with new coach Pat Lam indicating that all 22 players named in the squad would get a run because of the heat.

Lam has resisted rushing Josh Blackie into the side, the flanker having joined up with the Blues in Perth after completing two seasons in Japan.

Six of the squad named have yet to play Super rugby — winger Rene Ranger and No 8 Chris Lowrey in the starting 15; and forwards Charlie Faumuina, Dean Budd and Peter Saili, and back Jamie Helleur in the reserves.

Gopperth and fullback Paul Williams, a former Highlander, will be making their first appearances for the Blues.

Blues: Paul Williams, Anthony Tuitavake, Isaia Toeava, Benson Stanley, Rene Ranger, Tasesa Lavea, Taniela Moa, Chris Lowrey, Onosa’i Auva’a, Justin Collins, Anthony Boric, Kurtis Haiu, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu (captain), Tony Woodcock.

Reserves: Tom McCartney, Charlie Faumuina, Dean Budd, Peter Saili, Chris Smiley, Jimmy Gopperth, Jamie Helleur.

Roy, you around?

Hello Spooner.

Just the numbers for the post you replied to need to come back, but I’m sure Roy knows this already.

Sport24

Stephen Nell

Cape Town. – Duane Vermeulen is believed to have the inside track to start at No 8 ahead of Luke Watson in the Stormers’ Super 14 opener against the Sharks at Newlands on Saturday.

While the Stormers held closed training sessions on Monday and Tuesday, the chances are apparently good that the loose-trio will consist of Schalk Burger, Francois Louw and Vermeulen.

It is anticipated that Watson will be on the bench when coach Rassie Erasmus on Wednesday announces his 22-man squad for the game.

Burger, who will play his 50th game for the Stormers, has apparently shaved off his blonde locks. “He almost looks a little like Wicus Blaauw,” said a team insider.

Vermeulen had an outstanding Super 14 with the Cheetahs last year and signed for Western Province in November. The composition of the Stormers loose-trio is one of the big talking points ahead of the game.

It is believed that Louw has recovered from his injury and Vermeulen did enough in the pre-season to win a place in the starting line-up and by yesterday afternoon there was still no certainty over the back three.

Fijian wing Sireli Naqelevuki is still recovering after injuring his ribs in the warm-up game against Boland. Erasmus said last week he would not expose Naqelevuki to risk.

The Stormers coach has several options, including asking Springbok fullback Conrad Jantjes to wear the No 11 jersey. Jantjes struggled with a groin injury in the pre-season, but is expected to be in the Stormers’ 22-man squad. Joe Pietersen and Nick Koster can also play on the wing.

Agree, they been skirting that issue since 2006

see you Grant, good luck with the banks

Comeuppance Day Feb 14th

Schalks no No.6, never has been