Bundee Aki In a big blow to Connacht, inside centre Bundee Aki will miss the Stormers and Lions fixtures due to injury. Photo: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
The Stormers won’t have to contend with Ireland duo Bundee Aki and Mack Hansen when they face Connacht at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday (4pm kick-off), which will bring a sigh of relief to their defence.
After a two-week break, during which they could work on their tackling after conceding six tries against fellow Irish side Ulster, the inaugural United Rugby Championship (URC) winners know just how crucial this duel is as they approach the playoffs.
They are one point off the top eight and a playoff spot in 10th position on 35 points, behind Cardiff and Edinburgh, who are both on 36.
And with four games left, every single one becomes a must-win, starting with Saturday’s showdown in Cape Town.
Centre Aki and winger Hansen are the central figures in the Connacht attack, but according to the Irish Examiner, the duo are unavailable for the trip to South Africa due to injuries.
Aki hurt his heel this past weekend, while speedster Hansen picked up an ankle injury during their 43-40 Challenge Cup quarter-final defeat to Racing 92 in Ireland.
Further injuries to flyhalf Josh Ioane and loose forward Shamus Hurley-Langton also depleted the travelling squad.
Despite the injuries, Connacht will still look to exploit the defence of the Capetonians, just like Ulster did in Belfast a few weeks ago.
The Cape side played with 14 men for most of the second half of that game after the red card to prop Neethling Fouché, but they still leaked some tries with a full complement after going up 17-0 after 10 minutes.
The Stormers, in particular defence coach Norman Laker, would’ve taken note of three categories on the attack where Connacht currently top the statistics in the competition.
Across their 14 games, they’ve collectively beaten 360 defenders, gained an imposing 6,024 metres with the ball in hand and made 134 clean breaks.
It’s enough to make any defence coach take note, and Laker said this week they are aware of the attacking threat, although he spoke about Aki and Hansen not knowing they were ruled out of the South African tour.
Despite their position on the log, the Stormers are determined to maintain their attacking style.
Laker confirmed they won’t go into their shells just because they are hunting for a top-eight spot.
“We will stick to who we are and our brand of rugby must take us home,” Laker said.
“It was a good few weeks (of not playing), just to get some rest and looking at ourselves to see what we can improve as coaches and the players.
“Connacht is a quality side, and that last game at home (against them) was the semi-final (the Stormers won 43-18). We are looking forward to the challenge that they will bring.”