Rugby: Back trio 'hold key to victory'

Israel Dagg's ability with ball in hand could test the Stormers tomorrow. Photo / Getty Images

Crusaders assistant coach Daryl Gibson feels the Crusaders' back three of Israel Dagg, Sean Maitland and Zac Guildford hold the key to victory in tomorrow morning's Super 15 encounter with South African conference leaders the Stormers in Cape Town.

There are two areas that are expected to produce monumental battles for supremacy between the two sides - in midfield where Sonny Bill Williams and Robbie Fruean go up against Springboks pair Jean de Villiers and Jaque Fourie and in the backrow where Kieran Read, Richie McCaw and George Whitelock encounter Duane Vermeulen and Springboks Francois Louw and Schalk Burger.

"It will be a battle in midfield. The media here has been building Sonny Bill up and obviously a Springbok midfield will provide our midfield with a test - four big men going at each other - it'll be an interesting contest there," said Gibson.

But if the Stormers gave too much attention to Williams it could well provide space for the effervescent trio of fullback Dagg and wings Maitland and Guildford to exploit.

"Our back three have produced glimpses of what they can really do and on their day they can cut anybody apart," Gibson said.

Gibson also felt the absence of Stormers wing Bryan Habana because of a rib injury was something the Crusaders could manipulate to their advantage.

"Bryan is good at reading play to make intercepts and gets in close really well so without him it takes a threat out on us defensively.

"With him not there, we can attack that wing with a bit of confidence."

Returning Crusaders No 8 Read, who was rested for the last two games against the Highlanders and the Force, said the Stormers' back row would provide McCaw, Whitelock and himself with a very physical test but it was one that he was looking forward to.

- NZPA