Mallett backs Stormers for success
January 10, 2001

Former Springbok coach Nick Mallett believes the Stormers have the best chance of the South African sides to win the Super 12.

"My view is that the Stormers will do the best of all South African teams. They simply have got some outstanding young talent and the best backs," Mallett said in his regular internet column.

Mallett said he expected the Cats to resume their playing style that worked so well for them last year. "Laurie Mains unquestionably will give one hundred percent.

"One need not worry about his Otago NPC appointment - that is irrelevant. He is a professional coach with a strong desire to do well."

But Mallett cast doubt on the abilities of the Bulls' new coach Phil Pretorius. "The Bulls will be fit and physical - that is how Phil Pretorius prepares his teams - but they lack the intellectual capacity to do well in the Super 12.

"I do not have much confidence in this outfit. I think Pretorius' selection as coach was an extraordinary one given his record at the Falcons."

Mallett is also critical of Sharks coach Rudolf Straeuli. "The jury is still out on Straeuli. It is one thing to coach a Natal side in the Currie Cup with 15 Springboks, but another to coach a Super 12 side.

"Even the Sharks' Currie Cup campaign was not that convincing. They got to the final, but then played a style of rugby that was rather worrying - if that style was used in the Super 12, they could get smashed."

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