Brown wary of wounded Stormers

Editor

Highlanders head coach Tony Brown is anticipating a Stormers backlash when the teams clash in a Super Rugby match in Dunedin on Friday.

Brown believes that if you look at the history, South African teams always struggle in their first game on tour to New Zealand while stepping up to a new level in their second game.

The former All Black’s comments come in the wake of the Stormers’ 57-24 humbling at the hands of the Crusaders in Christchurch last weekend.

He is the first to admit that the men from the Cape were simply ‘off their game’ in that match and the 42-year-old is bracing his side to beware of the wounded animal.

“The hardest game for any South African team is the first one in New Zealand and they were off their game against the Crusaders,” Brown told Stuff.

“We’re expecting a pretty tough battle. Traditionally, the second game that South African teams play in New Zealand they perform best in.

“We’re not expecting a similar sort of performance that they had against the Crusaders… it’s going to be bloody tough for us.”