Damian Willemse is back in contention for the DHL Stormers and could be tasked with handling Ireland star centre Bundee Aki in the clash against Connacht on Saturday night.
On the back of a bonus-point victory against the Dragons in Newport, the Stormers will finish their two-match Vodacom URC tour against Connacht in Galway.
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Among the home side’s contingent is Aki, who starred for Ireland at the 2023 World Cup in France. The 34-year-old finished the tournament with five tries, while he also ranked in the top five players for carries (81) and linebreaks (10).
Aki has faced the Stormers twice before – with his first clash in last season’s opening round in Stellenbosch ending in a red card for a dangerous cleanout on Seabelo Senatla.
While aware of the gamebreaking threat posed by Aki, defence guru Norman Laker says the Stormers are wary of focusing too heavily on the New Zealand-born star and not on the other threat in Connacht’s backline.
“I’ve learned my lesson in the past by putting too much emphasis on a single player,” Laker said.
“You can prepare so much for one player that the guys around him end up looking good. Rather, we work within our system, which everyone understands. Everyone knows how to put pressure on certain individuals, who are the gamebreakers.
“Aki is a phenomenal player,” Laker added. “As a New Zealander, he’s also a tough guy. He gets them on the front foot. But again, if you focus on one guy, the guy next to him runs past you.”
The Stormers have been boosted by Willemse’s availability, after the utility back sat out the win against Dragons due to personal reasons.
“Damian is world class,” Laker said.
“He is 26 with two World Cup titles under his belt. To get a player of that caliber back for such a big game is incredible. He brings calmness to the team.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
The post Willemse back to contain bashing Bundee appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
