Rookie Brumbies fullback Sam Norton-Knight believes the Stormers' near-Springbok strength backline may target him in Friday's Super 12 rugby clash in Canberra.
Norton-Knight, usually a five-eighth, made an assured Super 12 starting debut in the unfamiliar position of fullback against the Bulls in Canberra last week.
With first choice custodian Mark Gerrard out for a second week with a hamstring injury, 21-year-old Norton-Knight is once again expected to occupy the number 15 jersey.
While Wallabies captain and half-back George Gregan will be available after missing last week's game because of his participation in the IRB Rugby Aid match, the Brumbies will still field a depleted backline missing Gerrard and test stars Stirling Mortlock and Matt Giteau.
Conversely, the Stormers are likely to have at least one or two Springbok backs on their bench and could field an entire back division of Springboks.
"They've got pretty well a Springbok backline so I can imagine the ball will reach them quite a bit and they will really try and attack us off the first phase," Norton-Knight said.
He acknowledged he could well be singled out for attention by the Stormers given his relative lack of senior experience.
"Not only have they got good kickers, they've got a good kick chase and they've got all that speed out there," Norton-Knight said.
"So I obviously envisage they will try and target me and I suppose I've just got to deal with that."
Norton-Knight's appearance and playing style has led to commentators and even officials mistaking him for Brumbies five-eighth Stephan Larkham, but the youngster was today keen to play down any comparison with the gifted pivot.
"I tried to turn the volume down (on the television) when I hear those sort of things," Norton-Knight said.
"It's nice to get that sort of wrap, but I'd rather deflect it, he's done a fair bit in the game and I don't think you need to be compared to someone who's just starting out like myself."
Norton-Knight, who missed all of 2004 with a groin problem is of similar physical dimensions to Larkham, who is listed as being two kilos heavier and two centimetres taller than the tyro.
The Brumbies' 22-man squad for Friday contained two changes to last week with Gregan and Wallaby prop Bill Young replacing Patrick Phibbs and David Fitter respectively.
Coach Laurie Fisher was still undecided about whether he would start Gregan and Young.
"We would definitely like to give Bill some game time before a long trip to South Africa and New Zealand, but at this stage we are not certain how we are going to use him in Friday night's game," Fisher said.
"We need to look at how George is feeling over the next couple of days following his arrival home before we decide whether to start him on Friday night or go with Matty Henjak," added Fisher.
The Stormers' only major injury concern was utility forward Gerrie Britz, who suffered an ankle injury in last weekend's draw with the Highlanders.
Stormers coach Gert Smal said Britz would be monitored tomorrow before the team was announced and he would also consider whether outstanding flanker Schalk Burger would start Friday's game after returning from the Rugby Aid match.? AAP
Rookie fullback expecting to be targeted by Stormers
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