The Hurricanes will literally blow into Bloemfontein this week on the back of impressive wins against the Blues, Western Force and Lions in the first three weeks.
Jan de Koning – Rugby365
In fact the ‘Canes will be trying to win their first four matches in a Super Rugby season for the first time.
The Cheetahs have looked less than convincing – even in their away win over the Sharks – and the defeats to the Bulls and the Highlanders are more a reflection of the erratic form that has bedevilled their campaigns for the past five years.
The last time the Hurricanes won their first three matches and lost their fourth was in 2006 – ironically against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
That match in Bloemfontein, won narrowly 27-25 by the Cheetahs, was only time these two teams have met in this city.
The last time the Hurricanes met the Cheetahs on South African soil was in 2008, when they played in Kimberley, while all their other Super 14 matches have been in Wellington or New Plymouth.
Injuries played a key role in the Hurricanes’ build-up this week – All Blacks Conrad Smith (thumb) and Tamati Ellison (shoulder) both ruled out, to go along with the season-ending injury of Jason Eaton (knee).
However, the most noteworthy selection is the inclusion of young Aaron Cruden at flyhalf, who replaces the seasoned Willie Ripia at No.10.
Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské had more than enough headaches of his own and would not have taken too much notice of the Hurricanes’ selection issues.
Speaking to the media this week Drotské said the failure of his charges to stick to the structures under pressure is what cost them against the Highlanders last week.
In an uncharacteristic attack on his players, Drotské said it is “inexcusable” that players can’t stick to the game plan.
He also felt that the new application of the breakdown/tackle rule should be an advantage to his team, who pride themselves on their attacking prowess.
“We have to step up our intensity on defence and attack,” Drotské said, when asked how they could rectify the problem.
“The responsibility is with the players to execute the game plan.
“Nomatter what we plan during the week or talk about, at the end of the day it is up to the players to produce on the playing surface,” he added.
The Cheetahs – who have finished a disappointing 10th, 11th, 13th and 14th in the first four years of the Super 14 – would look to reproduce the heroics of 2006, when they beat the Hurricanes.
However, the Hurricanes have scored exactly twice the number of points against the Cheetahs that they have conceded to them – 188 points for and 94 against.
Heading into the new season, the Hurricanes have exactly a fifty percent winning record in South Africa – winning 15 from 30 games played there between the first against Natal in 1996 (lost 43-27) and the most recent last year, also against the Sharks.
Super 14 results:
2009: Hurricanes won 29-12, New Plymouth
2008: Hurricanes won 38-10, Bloemfontein
2007: Hurricanes won 37-15, Wellington
2006: Cheetahs won 27-25, Bloemfontein
rugby365.com Prediction: The Cheetahs are incredibly erratic, an aspect that has cost them dearly over the years. They have shown the same symptoms this year – conceding 50 points against the Bulls, beating the Sharks in a supreme defensive performance and the falling flat against the Highlanders last week. The Hurricanes have been far more consistent and even without three of their All Blacks still look far too good for the home side. The Hurricanes by at least 10 points.
Teams:
Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Lionel Mapoe, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Naas Olivier, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Frans Viljoen, 7 Juan Smith (captain), 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 Waltie Vermeulen, 4 Nico Breedt, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Wian du Preez.
Replacements: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 David de Villiers, 19 Kabamba Floors, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Riaan Viljoen, 22 Danwel Demas
Hurricanes: 15 Cory Jane, 14 Andre Taylor, 13 Alapati Leiua, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 David Smith, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Rodney So’oialo, 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Victor Vito, 5 Michael Paterson, 4 Bryn Evans, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore (captain), 1 John Schwalger.
Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Anthony Perenise, 18 Jeremy Thrush, 19 Scott Waldrom, 20 Tyson Keats, 21 Willie Ripia, 22 Brett Mather.
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa), Joey Salmans (South Africa)
TMO: Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)
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March 6th, 2010 at 7:06 pm
CHEEEETTTTAAAAHHHHS!
My boy got his Cheetah shirt on, don’t bloody disappoint him.
March 6th, 2010 at 7:08 pm
come on cheetahs!! However i don’t like the fact that we have NZ ref in this game!!
March 6th, 2010 at 7:18 pm
play advantage you dick
March 6th, 2010 at 7:18 pm
The Cheetahs – who have finished a disappointing 10th, 11th, 13th and 14th in the first four years of the Super 14
This is enough reason to decide to revert to the Cats franchise…
Since splitting both teams have been exceedingly kak
Together they were able under Griz Wylie to achieve decent form…
Remember 2000?
Christchurch
Cats 33
Crusaders 32
I say revert to Cats and give the fricking PE Affirmatives their team…
March 6th, 2010 at 7:19 pm
Reply to DavidS @ 7:18 pm:
wasn’t that under Laurie Mainz 2001?
March 6th, 2010 at 7:23 pm
like a hot knife through butter – kak defense again
March 6th, 2010 at 7:26 pm
ref very lenient on Canes transgressions at the breakdown!!
over the top all the time slowing down the ball
March 6th, 2010 at 7:27 pm
JT… kyk die Game
March 6th, 2010 at 7:36 pm
Bosman got his kicking boots on tonight! :thumbup:
March 6th, 2010 at 7:40 pm
Ebesogn is leaving the defensive line and creating gaps for the canes players
March 6th, 2010 at 7:40 pm
Reply to JT @ 7:40 pm:
Ebersohn
March 6th, 2010 at 7:42 pm
Juan making Rodney his bitch
:thumbup:
March 6th, 2010 at 7:44 pm
Port Elizabeth PDI’s
March 6th, 2010 at 7:45 pm
Bosman you beauty!! Another 3 pointer!!
March 6th, 2010 at 7:46 pm
Reply to JT @ 7:19 pm:
Correct
Laurie Mains welded the Cats into a unit
Even used Pumas and Valke players
Valke scrumhalf was a guy called Eugene Meyer… short but built like a brick shithouse… played INSIDE CENTRE with Japie Mulder outside him….
March 6th, 2010 at 7:47 pm
Ref did not want to give a YC – Kaplan said it is at least a YC! and only then did the ref cave!!
March 6th, 2010 at 7:48 pm
Reply to DavidS @ 7:46 pm:
I remeber that well – did Louis Koen play 10? IIRC
March 6th, 2010 at 7:48 pm
CHEETHAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 6th, 2010 at 8:01 pm
Fkt, nog ‘n bottel het
sy gat gesien.
Moet magnums koop.
March 6th, 2010 at 8:02 pm
julle suip lappe innie Kaap
March 6th, 2010 at 8:02 pm
Reply to bryce_in_oz @ 7:48 pm:
Ja, gaan lees nou die
translation wat jy
gevra het.
March 6th, 2010 at 8:03 pm
Reply to JT @ 8:02 pm:
Nie lappe nie – rooi wyn.
March 6th, 2010 at 8:05 pm
Reply to Boertjie @ 8:03 pm:
Ek drink al van Desember geen alkohol nie. Wou sien of ek dit gaan mis en het dit nie gemis nie
nou drink ek maar net water
March 6th, 2010 at 8:06 pm
Reply to JT @ 7:48 pm:
No it was Andre Pretorius and Kennedy Tsimba
March 6th, 2010 at 8:06 pm
Reply to bryce_in_oz @ 7:48 pm:
Dude it’s weekend
Go sleep…
March 6th, 2010 at 8:08 pm
My brother FB
“The rain just turned to snow… again… sick of this”
My wife’s reply
“We’re having a braai and the girls have just finished their bath after a swim and are playing on the jungle gym in their PJ’s”
Does anyone else think he deserves what he’s getting?
March 6th, 2010 at 8:10 pm
Reply to DavidS @ 8:08 pm:
where is he? We had great weather last week but non stop snow since last night
I Like – tomorrow up the mountain boarding in the powder!
March 6th, 2010 at 8:13 pm
I hope the jetlag and altitude kick in now!! Come on Cheetahs – this will be a GREAT help to the Bulls and Stormers if you can stop the Canes!
March 6th, 2010 at 8:15 pm
TMO decision pending for a possible Floors try!
March 6th, 2010 at 8:16 pm
MUST be a try!
March 6th, 2010 at 8:16 pm
FLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORSSSSSSS!!!!
March 6th, 2010 at 8:18 pm
Brilliant conversion!
March 6th, 2010 at 8:19 pm
Cheetahs look like they have their tails up!!
March 6th, 2010 at 8:21 pm
CHEEEETTTTAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHSSS!
March 6th, 2010 at 8:22 pm
HAAAK VRYSTAAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 6th, 2010 at 8:22 pm
Juan Smith is immense again tonight!!
SA have so many good Blind side flankers
Juan & Deysel outstanding this weekend
March 6th, 2010 at 8:22 pm
VRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYSTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!!!!!!
March 6th, 2010 at 8:27 pm
ANOTHER: CHEEEETTTTAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHSSS!
March 6th, 2010 at 8:27 pm
Ek trek sommer Bloemfontein toe.
March 6th, 2010 at 8:29 pm
Lekker om te kyk!! STAAAAT!!
March 6th, 2010 at 8:32 pm
This is the kind of performance I want to see from the from the Cheetahs against the foreigners. Always. Every time.
March 6th, 2010 at 8:33 pm
Reply to manvanstaal @ 8:32 pm:
hulle maak my sommer lus vir ‘n
March 6th, 2010 at 8:36 pm
Hore deserved a YC for that!
March 6th, 2010 at 8:37 pm
Reply to JT @ 8:36 pm:
Thrush gets one a min later
March 6th, 2010 at 8:37 pm
Reply to JT @ 8:33 pm: En n mielie.
March 6th, 2010 at 8:45 pm
C’mon Cheetahs!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 6th, 2010 at 8:46 pm
Still 25-5?
March 6th, 2010 at 8:47 pm
Hore & Thrush. Not lekker.
March 6th, 2010 at 8:50 pm
Reply to DavidS @ 8:46 pm: 28-12
March 6th, 2010 at 8:50 pm
CHEEEEEEEEETAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHS!!!!
March 6th, 2010 at 8:52 pm
Lekker Vrystaat!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 6th, 2010 at 8:54 pm
Ai, en Willem speel Lego!
Cheetahs doen die Bulle
‘n guns, en die Stormers.
March 6th, 2010 at 8:55 pm
Blou trille bly bo, met a game in hand.
March 6th, 2010 at 8:58 pm
Reply to DavidS @ 8:46 pm:
i missed the last 10min – did Staat get the BP?
March 6th, 2010 at 8:58 pm
Probably not if the final score is 28-12!!!
VRYSTAAAAT!!!
March 6th, 2010 at 9:02 pm
Reply to JT @ 8:58 pm:
Staat – 1 try
Canes – 2 tries
March 6th, 2010 at 9:06 pm
Reply to Boertjie @ 9:02 pm:
they were dominating when i left and looked like scoring. But damn the Staat and Stormers showed that under these interpretations you should RUN with the ball.! Kick intelligently but keep the ball in HAND!!
March 6th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
Reply to JT @ 9:06 pm: Like the Bulls have been doing from the 1st round.
March 6th, 2010 at 9:11 pm
Reply to manvanstaal @ 9:09 pm:
The NZ and Aus
thought they could damage SA by making the game a more running game but this era of SA teams/players seems to be able to do it all! Bulls leading the way.
Great to see the SA players start believing in themselves that they can run with it and can beat the Kiwis at there own game!
March 6th, 2010 at 9:15 pm
Reply to JT @ 9:11 pm: They think the dutchmen are just big and dom. But no, they are big, dom and athletic. A lethal combo on a rugby field.
March 6th, 2010 at 9:28 pm
Ja and to be honest I think the Kiwis are still playing last year’s game…
March 6th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
Reply to DavidS @ 9:28 pm: Funny enough for once in the pro era, SA teams seem to be taking the lead. Except the Sharks.
March 6th, 2010 at 9:49 pm
Reply to manvanstaal @ 9:30 pm:
Heheheheheh
But they have a Kiwi coach so what did you expect…
March 6th, 2010 at 9:50 pm
Well done Cheaters!!!!!
March 6th, 2010 at 9:52 pm
Reply to manvanstaal @ 8:47 pm: Bw2ahahahahahaha
March 6th, 2010 at 9:57 pm
Wel gedaan STAAAAAAT
die Vrye Staaaaaaaaaat !!!!!!!
March 6th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
March 6th, 2010 at 11:19 pm