Watson factor not a Fisher story
Thu, 01 May 2008 15:49
Preparing for the big one: Laurie Fisher
Brumbies coach Laurie Fisher as identified Luke Watson as a key player and the breakdown as a key area in Saturday's must-win Super 14 encounter with the high-flying Stormers at Newlands.
The Canberra-based franchise have a phenomenal record at Newlands, with their last loss coming way back in 1998. They clearly enjoy coming to Cape Town and playing the Stormers.
One of the areas that will have a massive bearing on proceedings is the breakdown. The Stormers have lost their talisman in Schalk Burger, which means that Luke Watson will be entrusted with stealing some ball on the ground.
Watson has been playing No.8 this season, and has been giving a free license to roam the field. But he'll need to play a much tighter role on Saturday if he wants the stop one of the best fetchers in the game in George Smith.
Smith is an influential figure in any game he plays, so Watson and Francois Louw, who has been superb in his own right this season, will have their work cut out if the Stormers want to continue their winning run.
Brumbies coach Laurie Fisher, who has not had his contract renewed for another season, will want to go out on a high in his last dance with his team. The man with an interesting hairstyle admitted to rugby365.com that the breakdown will play a big part on Saturday.
"Luke [Watson] is having a fantastic season," he said of his anticipated battle with Smith.
"The battle on the ground will be key. The breakdown is the key to every game really.
"We need to make sure that our breakdown play is as good as it can be, and I suppose it's aided by Schalk [Burger] not being there," he added, clearly relieved that his team won't have to content with the Springbok flank.
Newlands is one of the best stadiums in the world, and the Stormers have enjoyed crowds of more than 40,000 all season.
Fisher was looking forward to playing at the home of the Stormers.
"Newlands is a fantastic ground," he said.
"It's going to be made better by a full-house. It's always a tremendous experience and the players are looking forward to playing there. It's a wonderful place," he added.
This game is crucial for both teams in terms of their play-off hopes.
A loss for the Brumbies will spell the end of their semifinal dreams, while a similar result for the Stormers will mean they will have to rely on other teams to falter in order to make the play-offs.
Fisher was well aware of the enormity of the occasion awaiting them on Saturday.
"Whichever side loses it's season over for sure," he said.
But the wooly-haired coach said is team would not be feeling the pressure.
"No mate, you got to go out and do the processes of the game and play some footy," he said.
"You have concentrate on your own game. You can't worry too much about the result. It will take care of itself either way," added Fisher.
"We're in good spirits, we've got through some good work [this week], and all the guys in pretty good nick," he noted.
The Stormers run of good form has impressed the Brumbies mentor, who is expecting a really tough challenge on the weekend.
"They have been really good," he said.
"They were fantastic on their Australasian tour. They are a very good defensive team, they haven't let in too may tries this season.
"They are a good hard working side. Jean de Villiers and Conrad Jantjies have been in good form so it's going to be an enormous challenge for us," added Fisher.
Although the Brumbies are themselves on a hot streak at the moment, Fisher was quick to point out that his young team was a work in progress and the best was yet to come.
"I think we are a long way from our best," he said.
"I don't think we will get there this year. There have been lot of changes and some new faces.
"We are trying to develop a different style of play to what the Brumbies have played over the last decade. We are chipping away at it but we will keep working on it," he added.
Whatever happens on Saturday, it's sure to be a nerve-jingling affair. The Stormers faithful will be hoping that their team can break their 10 year winning drought against Laurie Fisher's team this weekend.
By Steve Farrell
