Dobbo: Hybrid Brannas gives Stormers options

Stormers coach John Dobson says the selection of Deon Fourie as a flank who can also cover hooker gives the team game-changing options to deploy against Ulster. LINDIZ VAN ZILLA reports.

Dobson has opted for a 6-2 split on the bench for Friday night’s match against the Ulstermen at their Belfast base.

With no specialist hooker among the replacements, the Stormers are banking on Fourie starting at No 6 and later moving to the front row – allowing for the introduction of another fierce ball chaser in Paul de Villiers.

“It gives us a lot of optionality later in the game,” Dobson said. “You could end up in a position where Deon’s at hooker and Paul’s on the field, something we’ve always thought of. They could both be on the flank as well.

“Every time Paul or Deon’s come off the bench, they’ve made a difference in the 20 or 30 minutes it’s been.”

Dobson added that using Fourie at hooker and De Villiers on the side of the scrum would give the team a huge weapon in targeting the opposition breakdown, but without impacting the Stormers’ lineout.

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The Stormers have also shifted Damian Willemse from fullback to inside centre following Ruhan Nel’s calf injury, with Dan du Plessis moving to outside centre and Warrick Gelant returning at fullback.

“We wanted an experienced guy at 13 who knows how to defend that channel,” Dobson explained. “Damian goes into 12 which brings Warrick back to 15.”

Dobson backed Gelant to execute the tactical demands required in Belfast despite the playmaker’s attacking instincts.

“This is definitely not one for Warrick’s showreel,” he said. “It’s about a similar job to what Damian did against Glasgow. He completely gets it.”

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The Stormers have also opted to hand valuable game time to prop Sazi Sandi and flyhalf Jurie Matthee as the playoffs approach.

“We need to increase Jurie’s minutes because he’s very good,” Dobson said. “Sazi also needed the opportunity because these guys need to be ready as we get to the sharp end of the competition.”

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