Ruthless Brumbies to target Jantjies

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 02, Elton Jantjies during the Super Rugby match between The Sharks and DHL Stormers at Kings Park on March 02, 2013 in Durban, South Africa Photo by Steve Haag / Gallo Images

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 02, Elton Jantjies during the Super Rugby match between The Sharks and DHL Stormers at Kings Park on March 02, 2013 in Durban, South Africa Photo by Steve Haag / Gallo Images

Published Mar 22, 2013

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Brumbies coach Jake White sent out a blunt and ruthless warning to Stormers flyhalf Elton Jantjies yesterday.

When asked whether his team would target Jantjies’ defensive channel at Newlands tomorrow, White said: “100percent. Straight at Elton Jantjies – inside his shoulder, outside his shoulder, and when he gets up, back at him again! That’s it.”

Jantjies was run over by Wynand Olivier and Francois Steyn in what were two shaky outings, but produced a much-improved performance against the Chiefs two weeks ago.

But White, despite smiling when he made the above comment, did not hold back on his team’s intentions for the Stormers No10.

The former Springbok coach enjoyed his first interaction with the big Cape media contingent yesterday since moving to Canberra, and was not shy to give his views on the Stormers’ attacking game either.

Buoyed by a remarkable display by the Brumbies as they blasted the Sharks off Kings Park last week, White believes his team have the tools to topple good friend Allister Coetzee’s side at Newlands.

When asked about Coetzee’s remark that the Brumbies are favourites, White replied: “We’re very confident.

“We haven’t lost, conceded two tries and scored probably some of the best tries in the competition.

“We’ve got an experienced team running out there.

“The game is based on momentum and confidence, and we have that in this group. They know if they pitch up and do what they have to do, there is no reason why they cannot beat anybody.

“But we respect the Stormers for the fact that they are playing at home and beat the champions in their last game. They are also desperate, as they know that they have to win this home game if they want to stay alive in this competition.”

White ramped up the pressure on the Stormers by saying that they would find it very difficult to get back into the game if they had to go behind. “We like to believe that if we score more tries than the Stormers, it will be difficult for them to win with kicks,” he said.

“If you look at the stats, their attack hasn’t been up to it, and Allister has agreed that they need to work on their attack. So, at the end of the day, if we can score some tries, they are not going to win with kicks.”

It’s going to be an interesting game, because as much as the Stormers need to win, they also need to score points.

“But we can’t think that we must just arrive and it’s going to happen. This is make-or-break for them as they have lost two and don’t want to lose three out of four, especially at home before they travel.”

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