Star-studded Stormers must deliver in Treviso

11/11/2023 10:01

The Stormers have named a high-quality matchday squad to face Benetton and must live up to the expectations that creates.

Benetton Treviso are a dangerous side on attack even if their defensive work often leaves a lot to be desired.

Stormers need to deliver

The Stormers lost the URC’s top points-scorer, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who was ruled out with a minor ankle injury. However, they have still managed to field an imposing team.

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John Dobson isn’t taking Benetton lightly.

"I think their [Benetton's] record in Treviso in the last couple of years is exceptional," said Dobson according to Rugby365.

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"I remember they won the Rainbow Cup by beating the Bulls quite convincingly and then they beat us here in our first game of the URC [in 2021].

"They got a big combative pack and they are a hard-working team. We were lucky enough to watch the game against the Lions. It's a big crowd and they get behind them.

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"I think there might be 13 or 14 Italian internationals and last week they rested their skipper and a few others and I see they are all back on deck this week.

"They have obviously gone 'full metal jacket' for this game.

"It's a heavy pack, not quite like the Italian national team. I think this a pragmatic and tough team to break down so we are going to have to secure our set-piece properly to stop their momentum."

Teams

Benetton: 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Ignacio Mendy, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Marco Zanon, 11 Paolo Odogwu, 10 Tomas Albornoz, 9 Alessandro Garbisi, 8 Lorenzo Cannone, 7 Michele Lamaro (captain), 6 Sebastian Negri, 5 Federico Ruzza, 4 Niccolò Cannone, 3 Simone Ferrari, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 1 Ivan Nemer.

Replacements: 16 Bautista Bernasconi, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Giosué Zilocchi, 19 Eli Snyman, 20 Alessandro Izekor, 21 Toa Halafihi, 22 Andy Uren, 23 Jacob Umaga.

Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Courtnall Skosan, 13 Ben Loader, 12 Ruhan Nel, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Marcel Theunissen, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Neethling Fouche (captain), 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Ali Vermaak.

Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19 Gary Porter, 20 Nama Xaba, 21 Keke Morabe, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Clayton Blommetjies.

Referee: Craig Evans (Wales)

Assistant referees: Federico Vedovelli (Italy) and Alex Frasson (Italy)

TMO: Sean Brickell (Wales)