Cheetahs: Preview Thoughts
With game time just over 2hrs away this afternoon, we decided that there was still time for some brief thoughts about the Lions Vs. Cheetahs clash.
The Cheetahs are being billed as another step up from the Golden Lions. I expect a tougher, far more competitive test, but are the Cheetahs really a finer rugby team than the Golden Lions?
The Cheetahs are arguably missing their best player. Boks coach PdV has chosen to withdraw his internationals and this leaves the home team without Juan Smith. The flanker is one of the absolute best in the business and would have added real robustness to the Cheetahs pack. Jonge Nokwe, deadly finisher that he apparently is (I've only ever seen him have to walk in tries myself) is also missing on Springbok duty.
One man to watch is Heinrich Brussow. He's considered by many South Africans to be the big omission from the Boks squad alongside Zane Kirchner. He's a ferocious competitor and should bring much needed intensity to the home sides breakdown. Brussow is quite simply a quality player. Off the bench Kabamba Floors is familiar to some from the Sevens circuit. The loose forward will add attacking threat and link-play late in the game. I'd expect to see him thrown on as an impact substitution in much the same way the Golden Lions used Todd Clever.
The Cheetahs finished beneath the Golden Lions on the Super 14. Bottom of the table rather than 12th. Lets take a look at their results from the 2009 season.
Lions 34 Cheetahs 28
W Force 16 Cheetahs 10
Reds 22 Cheetahs 3
Hurricans 29 Cheetahs 12
Blues 46 Cheetahs 12
Highlanders 32 Cheetahs 8
Cheetahs 27 Brumbies 40
Sharks 6 Cheetahs 31
Cheetahs 10 Chiefs 28
Cheetahs 20 Crusaders 13
Cheetahs 10 Waratahs 18
Bulls 29 Cheetahs 20
Cheetahs 22 Stormers 28
Despite a murderous first six games on the road, the Cheetahs standout performance was probably the hard fought win over the Crusaders. The Canterbury outfit has the S14 pedigree and despite a few dubious seasons still made it to the playoff stages. Clearly however, the Cheetahs are not a high scoring team. They only broke 25pts three times this season.
While the Lions are fielding a much less experienced and far more naive team against the Cheetahs than they did against the Golden Lions, the Cheetahs are not the S14 powerhouse some would like to have us believe. While I think it's important that the Lions always respect their opponents, they shouldn't fear this team. After the capitulation on Wednesday Springbok supporters will dearly hope that the Cheetahs provide a competitive step-up, but the British & Irish Lions should move into the game confident in themselves and heedless of the hype.
The Cheetahs don't have the off the field problems that the Golden Lions had, and while not hugely successful in the Super 14, I'd be surprised if they don't make it a tough test. There certainly won't be any falling to pieces. After all, it's up to the Cheetahs to restore the pride to South African rugby. South Africans like their honour.
On the Lions side of the teamsheet, some interesting combinations line up. National units are the order of the day, as the tourists field an all Irish 2nd row, an Irish centre pairing and an all welsh back three. Compared to the side we saw on Wednesday night, this is a youthful looking team, but there is the real potential for one of the youngsters to make a real name for himself. I'd back Leigh Halfpenny to make a good start after his speedy recovery from injury and I'd also hope that Stephen Ferris and the Scottish front rowers go well on their first starts.
The Lions need to play with real solidity and remember to play structured rugby. Defense was good on Wednesday and it's crucial for the test teams genesis that it continues today. I'd far rather see the Lions deny the Cheetahs a try than watch us run in 5. In a nutshell it's simple. We shouldn't be arrogant fans, but the Lions should be a confident but uncomplacent team. Momentum is everything and if the Lions let it slip, the tour will be back to square one.
Tony Hart - Saturday 6th June 11.45PM
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