Stormers want to keep Pisi quiet

Pisi, who has been in great form for the Japanese outfit in their maiden season of Super Rugby, was rested by head coach Mark Hammett when these two teams met earlier this season - a match which the Stormers won 46-19 in Cape Town.

"He [Pisi] is instrumental in terms of the way they attack," said Fleck via teleconference from Singapore on Thursday.

"For me he is one of the better flyhalves in the competition. He is an experienced player - he attacks the gainline extremely well, which is similar to the way that [Bernard] Foley plays with the Waratahs - he players nice and flat and brings his inside and outside runners into the game."

"He [Pisi] is a smart player and is someone who really controls things for the them. They are one of the better attacking sides in the competition, regardless of their results. 

"He will bring something different to what we faced at Newlands...We are expecting them to up the tempo, especially in this heat." 

The Stormers had a bye in Round 11 and will be keen to get back to winning ways after going down to the Waratahs at Newlands before their break.

Fleck has once again shuffled his loose trio, this time moving Rynhardt Elstadt to the openside flank after playing the 26-year-old in the second row against the Sydney team and the Reds. JD Schickerling comes into the starting XV and will partner Pieter-Steph du Toit in the second row for the clash against the Sunwolves. 

"Rynhard is getting back to full fitness now - I always wanted to give JD Schickerling some more game time. 

"Initially Peter-Steph [du Toit] was not we going to come with us for this trip - we were hoping Eben [Etzebeth] would be ready, but that was not to be and Pieter-Steph came with us.

"It allows us to see him [Elstadt] back there in that No.6 position. I think he has gone really well with Pieter-Steph and I felt they formed a good combination. But with phase three in mind, moving Rynhard into flank allows us more options [going forward] and he will be moving into the lock position in the second half," Fleck added.

After their clash against the Sunwolves, the Stormers will head back to South Africa to play the Bulls in Pretoria. They then play the Cheetahs at Newlands a week later before Super Rugby takes a break during the June international window.

By Warren Fortune

@rugby365com