Lions edge courageous Cheetahs
6 Jun 2009
A Heinrich Brüssow-inspired Cheetahs team went down 26-24 to a second-rate Lions side in Bloemfontein.
This game was one of two halves with the sin-binning of flanker Stephen Ferris the watershed. The tourists were 20-0 up after 24 minutes before Ferris paid the price for the umpteenth breakdown transgression. The Cheetahs scored 14 points in the blindside’s absence to trail 23-14 at the break.
The option-taking and defence wasn’t always great from the home team. Their line defence repelled many a Lions surge, but a soft try by Ferris allowed the visitors to shoot to a 10-0 lead after 12 minutes. A subsequent chip by James Hook was gathered by centre Keith Earls who swerved past a couple of defenders en route to the tryline.
During this period, referee Wayne Barnes allowed the Lions to spoil on defence and seal the breakdown ball off on attack. Brüssow made a couple of turnovers but the Lions were still getting away with illegal play.
It took 23 minutes for Barnes to brandish yellow, and from here the Cheetahs began to gather some momentum. Danwel Demas rounded off a good move that exploited the Lions’ one-man disadvantage, and prop Wian du Preez reduced the deficit further when he steamrolled a defender from close range.
Back to their full compliment, the Lions sought to keep it tighter. They had the better of the Cheetahs’ scrum, Andrew Sheridan applying unsustainable pressure on the outclassed Kobus Calldo. The Lions’ set-piece even held its own when Ferris was off, and the Springbok management should take note, the Lions’ scrum is going to be a massive factor in the Test series. Hook goaled three penalties accrued from the Cheetahs’ scrum transgressions, and it kept the hosts at arm’s length.
The breakdown, however, was a different story. On defence, the visitors did everything they could to spoil the Cheetahs’ ball. Brüssow had another industrious outing in the tackle-department, but it was his ground-zero scavenging that proved the biggest boost to the hosts. Because of his proficiency, the visitors battled to get go-forward after the initial set-piece.
Jacques-Louis Potgieter kicked well initially but missed a great opportunity in the 52nd minute when he pushed a penalty-attempt wide. The three points would’ve reduced the deficit to 26-20 at a critical stage of the game.
The Cheetahs tried their hearts out, and it’s just a pity there weren’t more people at the stadium to witness their brave efforts. Vodacom Park saw 23 000 patrons through the gates, a shocking number considering the stadium now holds 48 000.
The Lions were shaky and it’s only through little errors that the Cheetahs didn’t put them away. Yet another Lions breakdown infringement gifted the hosts a penalty, but Potgieter proceeded to kick it dead. The Cheetahs’ inferiority at scrum time also continued to cost them possession and territory from ensuing penalties.
And yet, it was their strength at the tackle point that kept them afloat. Brüssow never relented in his quest for dominance and his team-mates never dropped their intensity. The Lions have a long way to go if they’re going to compete with the Bok breakdown in the coming Tests.
Both sides were exhausted by the hour mark and it was here that the Cheetahs were always going to be tested. They made another crucial turnover after the Lions launched a multi-phase assault on their tryline. It was clear the Lions would not be coasting to victory in the final minutes.
Replacement flyhalf Louis Strydom missed a difficult penalty attempt in the 70th minute to allow the Lions to keep their nine-point cushion. However, a brilliant reading of a flat Shane Williams pass allowed Corne Uys to sprint 80m for a seven-pointer. With six minutes to go, the Cheetahs had a chance of a massive upset.
The Lions were running out of puff as the clock wound down and the local supporters began to find their voice. After Meyer Bosman crashed it up into the suspect Irish midfield, Strydom slipped into the pocket for the drop-goal. Unfortunately, the kick drifted cruelly wide.
The Cheetahs looked to have another opportunity to win it when Lions fullback Lee Byrne dropped a high ball and his retreating team-mates played it from an offside position, but it was a transgression that the fallible Barnes missed.
The Lions eventually won a penalty in the final play and hacked it into touch. The win takes them to a three-from-three tour record, but there will be more concerns than positives for Ian McGeechan as he prepares his charges for the Tests.
By Jon Cardinelli, at Vodacom Park
718 Comments
Pages: « 1 … 5 6 7 8 9 [10] 11 12 13 14 15 » Show All
6 Jun 2009, 17:34 pm
1. Beast
2. Smit
3. CJ
4. Bakkies
5. Matfield
6. Brussouw
7. Smith
8. Spies
9. Du Preez
10. M.Steyn
11. Habana
12. Fourie
13. De Villiers
14. JP Pietersen
15. F.Steyn
16. Bismarck
17. Carstens
18. Pienaar
19. Roussouw
20. Olivier
21. Jacobs
22. Burger
6 Jun 2009, 17:34 pm
In truth the score was a little flattering wih some narrow escapes on the goal line and opportunistic tries.
Cheaters scrum was murdered. Smit, Biz and Beast better front up.
The hookers job is to throw the ball in steaight to the line out – Bismark I hope you are working on it.
We’ve made a terrible mistake not having Brussow, but let’s not compound it with not choosing our best kicker, best (in squad) fullback.
The Lions make you tackle plenty, this is not a nice to have skill, we HAVE to make first time tackles, and make them hurt.
Fullback, wings, have to be able to catch, kick and tackle – the Lions play high ball rugby a lot.
6 Jun 2009, 17:35 pm
#445 wooden spoon: I missed that. Che Guava and Lucky Legs… ha ha ha ha ha ha ha… do these people know what a murderer Che was? Not exactly the kind of guy you want as a best mate. He’d eat your liver…
And Idi Amin would have made an awesome Nursery School Teacher
6 Jun 2009, 17:35 pm
#437 SodaJoe: thanks but seriously it was very clear sheridon got away with murder
i watched some games in the heiniken cup etc and bj gave sheridan carrots
he got under sheridan and gave him hell
so i have no doubt BJ should have been chosen with smitty at hooker
boks would have whipped the lions scrum
6 Jun 2009, 17:36 pm
#425 goyougoodthing2: Agree about Bekker. Just wish it was a full strength Sharks team.
#431 sharks_lover: Also in our Emerging Boks is Vulindlu. So it would be Sykes, Botes, Deysel and Vulindlu back if they are allowed to play. Then we still have Rory and Muller. Just have to see how we do with out the other 10.
6 Jun 2009, 17:37 pm
#449 wooden spoon: Thats my point
6 Jun 2009, 17:37 pm
Kuun should be in the Emerging Boks. He is a live-wire player who had an outstanding season. Always dangerous and on the ball.
6 Jun 2009, 17:37 pm
#451 sglazer: good team , i would only have preferred bj to cj . comes first in the alphabet anyhows
but bj stronger in the scrums
other then that solid team , oh and jean is a 12 and fourie a 13
6 Jun 2009, 17:38 pm
The boks have never whipped any of the British Isles scrum in a decade, since when are they going to start beating Sheidan and Murray, get serious.
6 Jun 2009, 17:38 pm
#451 sglazer: Bud. You know as well as anyone that CJ & Brussow are not in the squad.
1. Beast
2. Biz
3. Smit
4. Bakkies
5. Matfield
6. Burger
7. Smith
8. Spies
9. Du Preez
10. M.Steyn
11. Habana
13. Fourie
12. De Villiers
14. JP Pietersen
15. F.Steyn
16. Guthro
17. Carstens
18. Roussouw
19. Bekker
20. Pienaar
22. Olivier
23. Jacobs
6 Jun 2009, 17:38 pm
#440 goyougoodthing2: I ama Luke Watson fan…so therefore I got a chip on my shoulder??? How’d you get there… Luke and myself Share Values…not skin colour or any other categorisation you may wish to come up with….
6 Jun 2009, 17:38 pm
#446 goyougoodthing2: What label? I will support him.
6 Jun 2009, 17:38 pm
#455 Puma: Vulindlu should not have been picked yet. He had one okay game where the crown gave him MOM award that was not deserved… pushing kids before they are ready is such a common thread in SA rugby…
And to be honest… after all the things I have said about Frans Steyn… I now feel for the kid. He is going to be messed around AGAIN i can see it.
6 Jun 2009, 17:38 pm
#450 cris: As a number 6 Watson is good, no doubt about it. Excels at S14 level. But Brussouw is better. Today he has shown he can outplay international players.
[PS that post was largely to rev up a certain blogger in our current company who has a crush on Watson]
6 Jun 2009, 17:38 pm
#455 Puma: we dont know that boet as the emerging players were allowed to play for the lions last wednesday
so i reckon they allowed to play
6 Jun 2009, 17:39 pm
#458 sharks_lover: i alway prefer a BJ…..
6 Jun 2009, 17:39 pm
#458 sharks_lover: I’m with you. It’s a toss-up for me between BJ and CJ.
Danie Gerber makes a good point (as one would expect): he says that Fourie should be 12 because he’s stronger on his feet and can get the 13 away off the tackle. He feels someone like De Villiers would cause havoc at 13 with the extra space. I think he’s right.
6 Jun 2009, 17:40 pm
#440 goyougoodthing2:no chips over here mate’ i’ve never suffered my whole life, don’t know what you’re on about…
#438 wooden spoon: just don’t say things i’ve never said, i know how the value of propaganda on this site…it’s like credit in a recession – valuable commodity…keep it clean…
6 Jun 2009, 17:40 pm
#459 cab: Boet with the guys in the squad I have to agree.
6 Jun 2009, 17:40 pm
#460 SodaJoe: I like your spacing
6 Jun 2009, 17:41 pm
#403 poppa69:
Agree.
#447 Porto: Agree there. Yip, pity about our national coach. Lets hope he does not mess up. Should have selected Brussouw. Just pleased we still have senior players there. Think they will play their own game if it all goes wrong.
6 Jun 2009, 17:42 pm
#455 Puma:
Puma, Bekker is a future superstar and will never be left out of a Springbok 22.
Can you remember him ever letting the team down either when coming on as a reserve or when starting?
6 Jun 2009, 17:42 pm
#467 sglazer: I’m not so sure. But it’s conjecture anyway.
Adi & Jacque are both excellent in space, bot also crate space – albeit in different ways, power vs guile.
6 Jun 2009, 17:43 pm
#465 sharks_lover: Well then our team wont be too bad. Just those 10 players out would have been awesome.
6 Jun 2009, 17:43 pm
#470 sglazer: I am a cut an paste genius.
6 Jun 2009, 17:43 pm
#453 goyougoodthing2: No they don’t…. but if your ignorance takes you that conclusion…you going to be siting in a lonely corner for much of teh rest of your life… I think you frequent the Neo Nazi websites to often
6 Jun 2009, 17:44 pm
#472 cris: I’d rather have Daniesaurus Rossouw as back up lock than Bekker. He offers more grunt.
6 Jun 2009, 17:44 pm
#466 Veltie:
6 Jun 2009, 17:44 pm
#472 cris: Not sure if he will be A SUPERSTAR
We was awful for the Stormers this year. Lucky to get selected.
6 Jun 2009, 17:44 pm
#461 Langenhoven: Share values? sounds like you know him well. I’m not that keen on Watson but from what I’ve seen of your writing under your various disguises, I’d be surprised if he shared your values
6 Jun 2009, 17:44 pm
#466 Veltie: I prefer BJ… my wife prefers CJ
Hahaha
6 Jun 2009, 17:44 pm
#471 Puma: We have 22 players who can win.
My total anxiety is relative to piking those 22.
Piet Snor can make himself a legend with the players at his command.
6 Jun 2009, 17:45 pm
#477 wooden spoon: Agree 100% Danie never lets the team down ever.
6 Jun 2009, 17:45 pm
#481 grootblousmile: Both are good.
6 Jun 2009, 17:46 pm
#481 grootblousmile: HAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHA! goeie een! Hierdie leeus IS toe so nie so grend soos hulle dink nie.
6 Jun 2009, 17:46 pm
#477 wooden spoon: Oom Danie is better than Bekker in every single aspect of the game, including line out work.
he is significantly better scrummager, loose forward and my bet is he would be a better flyhalf than Groot Bek too.
6 Jun 2009, 17:46 pm
#462 Bul-a-Bhloo: Welbedacht (sp?) Fine wines…
6 Jun 2009, 17:47 pm
#483 Puma: trust me sykes is the new superstar lock
that kid is making a name for himself bigtime
6 Jun 2009, 17:47 pm
15 JP Pietersen
14 Nokwe
13 Jacobs
12 De Villiers
11 Habana
10 Rose
9 Januarie
8 Spies
7 Smith
6 Burger
5 Matfield
4 Botha
3 Smit
2 Chilliboy
1 Beast
What are the odds?
6 Jun 2009, 17:48 pm
#449 wooden spoon: If I make you look like a fool…its not because I am a racist..its because I have insight
6 Jun 2009, 17:48 pm
#485 Veltie: Nee hulle issie so goed nie… Snorrie moet nou net mooi raakvat met sy keuses.
6 Jun 2009, 17:48 pm
#477 wooden spoon:
I agree he offers more grunt but during the last 20 minutes athletic ability could even be more important.
I would have both on the bench.
6 Jun 2009, 17:48 pm
#471 Puma: Yes they’ve done that before, against Scotland if I remember correctly. But that was my earlier point, a great team can ignore the coach for a period of time, but eventually it starts to go awry. On the one hand I hope they can do well despite the coach, but on the other hand, in the long run, it might not be a bad thing if they get beaten, if that resulted in this national embarrassment getting fired!
6 Jun 2009, 17:48 pm
#472 cris: Well there are a lot of coaches in South Africa who think Bekker is a one show pony.
And by coaches I mean real coaches not pretend political moon pointers
6 Jun 2009, 17:48 pm
#489 wooden spoon: jy sal my nagmerries gee met daai losskakel van jou.
6 Jun 2009, 17:49 pm
#482 SodaJoe: Joe, With these players Boks should have been dominating since last year but have not. Its his selections and gameplan. Hope he learns from his mistakes last year.
Then where is Brussouw? Not even selected.
Lets see who is in the starting 22. Rose wont be as he is playing for the Emerging Boks on the 23rd. Probably will play for the Boks after that.
Who will play FB? Still think its going to be JPP and Nokwe or Odwa on the wing. WE NEED JPP to mark SW. DAMN hope that PdV can see that. Nokwe has huge speed but he does not tackle. I would just play F. Steyn there now. Or even M. Steyn if Ruan plays FH. We need a kicker and that is a definite.
6 Jun 2009, 17:49 pm
#467 sglazer:BJ struggled this morning against the aussies…he is not the yster some make him out to be…he’s technically good though…
6 Jun 2009, 17:49 pm
#480 Porto: Like I said…come back later when the blog dumbs down a bit
6 Jun 2009, 17:50 pm
#475 SodaJoe: I see that. Very impressive [s].
6 Jun 2009, 17:50 pm
#490 Langenhoven: weet jy shaun, ek sal genuine geniet om n koffie/bier/whiskey saam met jou the nuttig. Net om te sien of jy regtig insig het of net vol k*k is. Ek is volgende week in London; laat weet of jy sou belangstel…
Pages: « 1 … 5 6 7 8 9 [10] 11 12 13 14 15 » Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.