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Durban – Cell C Sharks director of rugby Jake White has named a powerful line-up for tomorrow night’s pre-season warm-up match against the Lions at Ellis Park, reports Sharks website editor Michael Marnewick. White pointed out after training on Tuesday that he would name potentially a similar side to the one that will play the Bulls in the Super Rugby opener at Kings Park next Saturday. This will obviously give the team the best opportunity to gel as a unit in the match scenario.

“It’s going to be as close as it gets to a dress rehearsal,” he explained. “I’d like to pick a team that I’d like to start against the Bulls, I’ll give them as much game-time as I can in the first 40 or 50 minutes. Then if I’ve seen enough of what I need to, then I’ll look to give other guys a run. But the quicker I can get cohesion and group work going the better it will be.”

Like the Saracens match, the potential for injuries is a concern – as it would be for any coach before the actual tournament has started – although it is a reality all teams face. But certainly, first prize would be coming out of this game unscathed, regardless of the result.

“As a coach you’re always going to be concerned about losing guys to injury. I don’t think a coach ever gets a team he wants to start, even at Springbok level. Whenever you get one back, someone else inevitably breaks down. What we want is a situation where we hopefully come through this Friday’s game unscathed, but if they don’t then we’ve at least used the two warm-up games to give other guys an opportunity to get game-time, and they’re ready to step in if need be.”

An all-Springbok front row will face the Lions while Patrick Lambie returns from honeymoon and Francois Steyn is over his injury, as is fullback SP Marais.

Wing Lwazi Mvovo was stretchered off as a precautionary measure in the Saracens match but suffered no ill-effects from the bump he took and has been named on the wing. Ryan Kankowski has been named on the bench with White looking to get him back into the system as early as possible.

Meanwhile, former All Black and Lions coach John Mitchell says the Stormers must improve their attacking game if they want to win Super Rugby.

The Stormers have been the best defensive team over the last few seasons, but their attack has been almost non-existent at times.
From 2010 to 2013 they conceded the fewest tries, but was found wanting in the try-scoring department.

Last year, only the Force and Kings scored less tries and in 2012 the Stormers finished bottom in the try-scoring stakes, despite topping the overall log standings.

Mitchell, who currently coaches Varsity Shield side UKZN Impi, told the SA Rugbymag website that the Stormers won’t win the competition unless they show more willingness to attack.

He said the Stormers have to learn to build pressure with ball in hand and can’t just survive on pressure defence and chances created from turnovers, particularly in knockout rounds.

Mitchell also conceded that he is not sure if that development will come with the current group of players and coaches.
The Stormers beat the Bulls 26-19 in their first pre-season game in Polokwane last weekend.

They tackle the Kings in Port Elizabeth tomorrow before meeting Boland in Wellington on February 15.
Their first Super Rugby game is away to the Lions on February 22.- Supersport