Highlanders too strong for Cheetahs in Bloemfontein
Vodacom Park in Bloemfontein
The Highlanders gained their first win of the 2010 Super 14 season, beating the Cheetahs 31-24 at the Free State Stadium on Saturday.
The Highlanders were good value for their win in a hard-fought contest between two of the competition’s struggling teams – the New Zealanders always looked superior when they had the ball in hand.
The Cheetahs, seeking to win two matches in a row for the first time since they became a separate franchise, took an early lead through a penalty goal but trailed for the rest of the match. But the home team stayed in contention with solid forward play and committed defence.
The Highlanders led 15-9 lead at half-time, scoring two tries while the Cheetahs replied with three penalty goals by flyhalf Naas Olivier. The home side were awarded seven penalties to two during the first period but the penalty count was even after the break.
The first try after seven minutes came after a well-worked move, with the Highlanders building up patiently before flyhalf Michael Hobbs made a half-break and offloaded to hooker Jason Rutledge, who in turn fed prop Clint Newland. Centre Kenny Lynn ran into space and romped over after receiving from Newland.
There was an element of luck about the second try, however.
Cheetahs hooker Adriaan Strauss was tackled about 10m in from touch and as the forwards gathered to contest the ball, it popped out and was picked up by an unmarked Fetu’u Vainikolo. The left wing was able to run 65m to score.
The Cheetahs came back strongly in the second half, getting to within two points midway through the second period after flank Heinrich Brussow bullocked over for a converted try.
But the New Zealand team scored an excellent try through flyhalf Michael Hobbs after slick inter-passing with centre Jason Shoemark eight minutes from time.
At that point the Highlanders were 12 points ahead but the Cheetahs scored again through flank Juan Smith.
Both the Cheetahs tries needed confirmation from the television match official as the scorers barged through a melee of opponents.
The Highlanders, who finished 11th in the 2009 competition, while the Cheetahs were in last place, almost scored a bonus point try in the last minute as their forwards mauled furiously near the Cheetahs line. Television evidence was inconclusive.
[AFP]
Nobody will probably see this but here goes.
I’m not complaining. Just trying to help by telling you what I see. Maybe others can reply and share their views here too. Lets help the team.
**Sort out the scrum. We don’t need to scrum the other team into the ground. Just keep it steady so that we can get a decent platform for the backs.
**Move Mapoe back to wing. It is a massive injustice to play him at center. Get Ebersohn, Geel or Jonker at center. Mapoe is needed at wing where he has slightly more space.
**Keep ball in hand. That is after all what the new law interpretations are promoting. Especially Nokwe. Take the hit and set up the next phase. STOP kicking possession away when we are attacking.
**Protect the ball better at ruck time. Too many times the ball just popped out at the back and we had to scramble to get it back. Attacking chance lost and we need to start building phases all over again.
**If you want the big boys to carry it up, why not get them closer to the rucks and let them carry it up. They were always standing on the wing and then guys like Nokwe, Demas, Viljoen needed to commit to the ruck because the other forwards were to far away. That took our pace out of the backline.
**I understand that we were attacking and want to keep the pressure on the defending team, but should we not take the 3 points when available? Instead of going quick or for touch?
**Brussow and Juan Smith is playing really really well together. Keep it up guys.
**Viljoen is doing better each week.
**I am really impressed with our goal kicking. Previous years we missed too many kicks. Well done to the kicking coaches and Olivier.
**We should really try and use the rolling maul a little more. We have the perfect combination of forwards to do this. Big guys like Breedt, De Villiers, etc to do the hard work up front and then mobile guys like Brussow, Viljoen and Smith to carry it at the back of the maul.
**Our defence is getting better each game and I am happy with our first line of defence. We struggle a bit when we need to scramble but that is understandable.
Thank you for the chance to express my views. Hopefully it reaches the right people and then maybe consider some of the views from the supporters.
@Jame i agree 100% with you!
Look. I am not a coach and don’t know anybody at the Cheetahs (yet). Only chatting with all the guys on here and with Nelio on the Facebook page.
But I am probably one of the most objective Cheetah supporters out there. Unfortunately I live in Pretoria and I cannot visit games as often as I want to. But I do not miss one single game when televised. And I watch it over and over.
And I never miss a game when they play at Loftus, Brakpan or Ellis Park.
I will always point out the positive but I will also point out the areas to work on.
I can only hope that somebody in the coaching department or somebody involved with them reads this and consider the views of the supporters.
Like I said. I am not a coach and I don’t understand everything. But I try and learn as much as possible each game. And with that knowledge I try and make an objective analysis.
You will also never see me complaining about a referee. Why? Because it is pointless.
I rather make comments or suggestions on areas that can be changed or worked on.
Every game I have ever watched, had dodgy calls from the referee. And I have never ever seen a referee reverse a decision or a result. So going on about it from a supporters viewpoint, is a big waste of time.
Now that I have spoken enough nonsense.
GO CHEETAHS!!