Not just surviving but relishing the Reds' fierce pre-season training battles has primed rookie hooker James Hanson for the ultimate test against Super Rugby's benchmark scrum in Cape Town.

That's the considered opinion of former Wallabies scrum doctor Alec Evans who expects Hanson to revel in the challenge of his sink-or-swim run-on debut against the Stormers on Sunday morning (AEST).

While most of the hype surrounding the top-of-the-table clash has focused on how the Reds' ability to punch holes in the Stormers' brick-wall defence, it's the set-piece battle that will decide whether they get enough chances.

Former Wallabies and Reds coach Eddie Jones this week rated the pace-setting Stormers a superior set-piece team, expecting the home side to outscrum Queensland with Springbok lock Andries Bekker dominating the lineouts.

Queensland assistant coach Evans rates the Stormers forwards the equal of the best scrummagers in the competition, the Crusaders.

So there's no doubt that Hanson faces a torrid baptism of fire at Newlands.

But the veteran scrum mentor, who played a key role in Australia's 1984 Grand Slam and 1999 World Cup triumphs, expects the hard-working 22-year-old, seen as a potential weak link by the Stormers, will be up for the challenge.

"(Hanson) will really find out what scrummaging is about," Evans told AAP. "But I have great confidence in him."

Evans and head coach Ewen McKenzie have been delighted with Hanson's work on the training paddock, especially in opposed scrummaging sessions.

With Hanson and former Wallabies props Greg Holmes and Guy Shepherdson all chasing 2010 Test front row trio of Ben Daley, Saia Faingaa and James Slipper, the workouts have been fierce.

"It's World War III at training which is good," said Evans. "They do it in a skilful way, and it has worked to improve them all.

"The front-row is starting to come into their own.

"We're certainly not the best scrum in the competition but we're getting better.

"The Stormers will be a great test for the pack to find out what level they're at."

Adding to the challenge is the fact that the Stormers have not been entirely happy with their scrum ... and neither has their forwards coach Matthew Proudfoot.

While the Reds will have their work cut out up front against last year's finalists, highly-talented flyer Luke Morahan could face his own moment of truth at fullback.

Despite making the Wallabies 2009 Spring Tour, Morahan has been unable to live up to expectations with the Reds and is in the sights of the Brumbies for 2012.

McKenzie is keen to keep the 20-year-old at Ballymore and has given him the chance to cement a place in his preferred No.15 jersey after Mike Harris struggled fielding kicks in the 30-25 win over the Lions.

"He (Morahan) has a knack of scoring tries which is good," said McKenzie.

"He's a brilliant attacking player and he does that naturally. It's a big opportunity for him so hopefully he brings that on the weekend."

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