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Stormers stick with Naqelevuki over Aplon

Article Published: Wednesday 10 March 2010

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Stormers coach Allister Coetzee has named his team to face the Hurricanes on Saturday with Sireli Naqelevuki being named ahead of Gio Aplon.

The former Fijian international delivered an impressive display against the struggling Highlanders last week, making an impact and gaining metres every time he touched the ball.

Aplon missed being named in the starting team for the match as he had to withdraw from the starting XV due to flu but came off the bench and Joe Pietersen at fullback late in the game.

In order to maintain continuity Coetzee said he had decided to stick with Naqelevuki and added that the back-three won't be exposed without the left boot of Aplon.

"We want to keep the ball in hand this week," he said on the Stormers site. .

"It has nothing to do with the opposition. We're focused on what we want to achieve.

"Rain is forecast for Saturday, and while we won't fight the elements, we'd like to play a running game."

Coetzee has retained Dewaldt Duvenage at scrumhalf, with Ricky Januarie on the bench. After performing so well against the Highlanders the Stormers kept Anton van Zyl as the No 5 lineout jumper.

Hooker Tiaan Liebenberg is also back after missing the last game with flu. Deon Fourie was a stand-out player last week as a late replacement, but Liebenberg's form before last Saturday was even more impressive.

The coach is wary of the threat posed by the very potent Canes front row. "They have an all All Blacks front row, so it's going to be a massive challenge for us in that department," he said.

"Deon played very well last week, but we felt Tiaan has the experience for this very important battle."

Stormers team:

Joe Pietersen, Sireli Naqelevuki, Jaque Fourie, Juan De Jongh, Bryan Habana, Peter Grant, Dewaldt Duvenage, Duane Vermeulen, Francois Louw, Schalk Burger (c), Andries Bekker, Anton Van Zyl, Brok Harris, Tiaan Liebenberg, Wicus Blaauw.

Reserves: Deon Fourie, JC Kritzinger, De Kock Steenkamp, Pieter Louw, Ricky Januarie, Lionel Cronje, Gio Aplon