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
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6 Jun 2009, 18:35 pm
#599 Crouching Tiger Hidden Bokke: Couldnt agree more. This thinking that you have to have huge forwards is maybe sound when it comes to scrumtime but apart from scrums of what service is it if theyre lumbering around? Spies is a definite exception to the rule.
6 Jun 2009, 18:36 pm
okay i see we’re diverting to the zumas of this world, so much for a rugby blog…
6 Jun 2009, 18:37 pm
#601 Transformation: indeed…refusing to engage in debate…lol
6 Jun 2009, 18:38 pm
#597 Slumtown:
It is an unhealthy relationship with the self.
He is by no means alone. Many many people in the world journey through life trying to compensate for deep feelings of inadequacy, call it the victim mentality if you like.
The easiest way to identify it is to see when someone tell you: I am a proud this or that. It is an attempt to remind the self ” I’m ok, I make the grade ”
Therefore it is primitive or a definite sign of underdevelopment (emotionally at least) to be obsessed with race or physical appearance.
The healthy person will always give the other person the benefit of the doubt and allow the person the space to be him/herself (within reason!)
“Himself/herself” I’ll define as that part which manifest the uncontaminated/natural personality
6 Jun 2009, 18:38 pm
#597 Slumtown: Lets chat…The blogger talks down to me…Fk him…he needs to know that that is not the way its going work…Nobody talks down to me… .I need him to know that I am top of the food chain and unless he has a better record of fighting racism he will need to wait his turn to sit in my company… If Fidel Castro or Barack Obama gave me an invitation to meet with them then I will jump…now if he is not in that category then he can fkoff
6 Jun 2009, 18:39 pm
#598 Langenhoven:
My name is John Johnson.
6 Jun 2009, 18:40 pm
And hopw is this british press take on the game? Hows this for bias?
Yet the penalties that should have come from there didn’t. Instead, the Cheetahs spoiled and screwed and popped and lay at every ruck and breakdown, bringing the game down to a undistinguished dogfight.
LAY AT EVERY RUCK???? ahaha surely theyre talkign about Joe Worsley?
Title of the article is the Lions make it 3 from 3. Very flattering title when it was really a hanging on by the skin of the teeth to take the win.
6 Jun 2009, 18:40 pm
#581 Sheriff: Agree there. I hope the Sharks can Sheriff, only its a 2nd Sharks team. 10 of the Boks that wont be playing. So its a under strength team. Just hope that the Emerging Boks from the Sharks can play.
6 Jun 2009, 18:40 pm
#604 Langenhoven: to avoid confusion..you referring to me in that post?
6 Jun 2009, 18:41 pm
Fidel Castro????? What a bad apple.
6 Jun 2009, 18:43 pm
#608 Veltie: The ******* are back in the Watermelon garden, ignore!
6 Jun 2009, 18:44 pm
#588 Bul-a-Bhloo: Are you threatening me with violence or is Veltie doing so…I don’t know your name is mate…talk for yourself…Do you honestly believe that you can beat me up or get somebody to do it for you…You hide behind a keyboard mate not me…what are you scared of…
6 Jun 2009, 18:44 pm
Gents, really just wanted to recognise Brussow’s performance tonight.
Enjoy the rest of the evening fellas!
6 Jun 2009, 18:44 pm
I am off gents. Shuan, i extend the invitation again to share a beverage as and when your schedule allows. you have my contact details, should you choose to use it.
freestate unlucky today, maar nou ja. so loop hy maar.
goed gaan kerels.
6 Jun 2009, 18:45 pm
#610 AB Bullsbok: The B aboons are back in the Watermelon garden, ignore!
6 Jun 2009, 18:45 pm
#608 Veltie: You read well mate… so how do you measure up to Barack or Fidel
6 Jun 2009, 18:46 pm
#610 Langenhoven: no threats from my side at all. merely an invitation to debate on a different forum to this blog. anyway, keep well.
6 Jun 2009, 18:46 pm
#606 Slumtown: Now just wished that one of the Cheetahs kicks went over. They just cant take it that a team that was bottom of the S14 log out played them today and should have won. 9 points missed from kicks. Their press as bad as the Aussies.
Anyway Holland beat them in the open of the 20/20 world cup on their home turf last night..hehehe. HOLLAND!!!!!!! The bookies had Holland at 500 to 1 to win. They got the 162 that England put on. And little Holland got it. Big total to chase down but they made it on the last ball.
6 Jun 2009, 18:47 pm
#600 Slumtown: Yep, this is where the ABs really excel – their forwards are powerful but also mobile and skilled.
Brussouw also showed himself to be a decision-maker, kicking the ball out at half time was probably the right thing to do.
6 Jun 2009, 18:47 pm
Earning 600 pounds a day for your company is no-where near the top of the food chain. A car salesman could do that for his company at any popular make or brand in South Africa.
Tying himself up in knots……
6 Jun 2009, 18:47 pm
#605 Langenhoven: Hahaha well said Shaun. The more you open your mouth the more ridiculous you sound. So youre of such high quality that you would only deign to meet Barack Obama or Fidel Castro? Who says they would want to meet with you? Heheh maybe youre the insignificant nobody to them. No my friend its a vicious circle categorising yourself above other people. You should be content with speaking to the humblest beggar becaus none of us know why the hell we´re here. The startting point of true greatness is humility and being able to look up at the stars and seeing yourself within the big picture… an insignificant speck. Dont kid yourself Shaun.
6 Jun 2009, 18:47 pm
#614 Langenhoven: do not know Fidel well at all and would not measure up to Barack very well, lol. Very good politician, which I am not. Very sad that you choose to hide behind your website and this blog as opposed to engaging with a fellow human beign in debate…which you yourself promote so much…what a joke.
6 Jun 2009, 18:48 pm
#611 Sheriff: Cheers Sheriff.
6 Jun 2009, 18:48 pm
#605 Sheriff: I will check that out…If you are in the police services.. I will know… I am connected
6 Jun 2009, 18:50 pm
#618 Bul-a-Bhloo: Its actually not big money in Britian. Thats 65 pounds a hour!!!!! Not that much I can tell you. Thousands here on contract make far, far more than that. He lives in a dream world.
6 Jun 2009, 18:52 pm
#622 Langenhoven: Then why can’t you name me Mr. Well Connected. Told you where I worked and that there were less than five of us in the last 15 years……
6 Jun 2009, 18:53 pm
#624 Puma: Once you allow these ******* in the garden, all is lost!!
6 Jun 2009, 18:53 pm
#622 Langenhoven: Shaun is your brain connected to your skull? You are making a fool of yourself here again. I think off you go to your own political blog. Where only you blog
6 Jun 2009, 18:54 pm
#627 Puma: Once you allow these b aboons in the garden, all is lost!!
6 Jun 2009, 18:54 pm
#598 Langenhoven: sheriff will not tell you his real name because you will find out that he works for the SAPS…
#586 Sheriff: when will you stop trying to act like a shrink on this blog, the day i registered on this blog i didn’t know you even exist, why bother yourself about other people’s apparent neuroses, just blog about rugby and be happy if you have people responding to your rugby post…capiche!
6 Jun 2009, 18:55 pm
#620 Veltie: Lets chat here then..I’ve got some time… I have written lots and presented many arguments . You may have read some …I have views on many contentious issues including glabal warming and poverty. Most politicians read my stuff and I am a favourite with many Editors of SA newspapers..I abhorr racism because it limits the ability of any organisation to proper…It also prevented many bloggers on this site from recognising talent beacuse they have categorised players by skin colour and social class… Some say that they are not racist…but they seemingly dismiss talent for one reason only…that is sad.
6 Jun 2009, 18:57 pm
#623 Puma: I thought as much. Overheads must be horrendous in Britain. You can’t be giving employees much of the 65 pounds if you want to survive as a company.
6 Jun 2009, 18:58 pm
Cheers all going to watch some of the 20/20 world cup.
6 Jun 2009, 18:58 pm
#624 Bul-a-Bhloo: I can’t name you because you are a nobody…
6 Jun 2009, 18:58 pm
Haha this person’s narcissism gets even more entertaining to read!
6 Jun 2009, 19:00 pm
#629 Langenhoven: Yes exactly why I rate JP Pietersen and Bryan Habana and players like Beast yet dont want Earl Rose to “bloom” in the Boks. I´m obviously very racist. That must also why i was a big fan of Ricky Januarie´s last year and dont want to see him in the team this year. Clearly racist. Everything I do must be racially motivated. Isnt it nice finding a racist under every rock? Excuse the pun. If you see things only from your perspective then thats all you´ll see.
6 Jun 2009, 19:00 pm
Just because your name was outed on here against your choosing doesn’t now mean that you’re a “somebody”. You’re very much an isignificant nobody with an over inflated opinion of yourself.
6 Jun 2009, 19:00 pm
#632 wooden spoon: Remember he has is ‘challenged’ in many departments, we must make allowances!!!!
Bwahahahahaha
6 Jun 2009, 19:01 pm
#629 Bul-a-Bhloo: 600 pounds a day in Britian and in SA is not that great. Thousands earn more right here.
Anyway why come here and tell everyone what the heck he earns who gives a bloody toss really.
Cheers Bhloo. Going to watch some of the cricket now.
6 Jun 2009, 19:01 pm
#627 Transformation: I know he works for teh SAPS…he threatened Lilith didn’t he…Thats is intimidation…she can lay charges…
Got change laptops quickly… be back in a sec
Forgot my password
6 Jun 2009, 19:03 pm
Quick someone, pull the plug on him…….
6 Jun 2009, 19:05 pm
#626 AB Bullsbok: Yip, Once the racist political nonsense starts here I just log off. Not worth blogging with people like that. They are somewhere else in the own little world. We have moved on here in SA its now what 15 years a new SA!! Then to carry on like that. Damn he is a sad man.
Anyways out of here now. Cheers BullsBok. Pity your team are not playing the Lions. Would have enjoyed to see the Bulls play them.
6 Jun 2009, 19:07 pm
#640 carol: Its pathetic that we have to be exposed to these half wits all the time here on Keo.
6 Jun 2009, 19:07 pm
#638 carol: Carol, employee earning 600 pounds a day for his company. Is that impressive in the UK? Sounds very little to me.
6 Jun 2009, 19:08 pm
#641 Puma: Cheers matey, enjoy the T20!
6 Jun 2009, 19:11 pm
#640 AB Bullsbok: Don’t worry I do not see him as your ‘typical’ Saffa….actually the company here is generally very articulate and erudite!!
It is the incredible self obsession I find so wearing!!
6 Jun 2009, 19:13 pm
#641 Bul-a-Bhloo: All I can say is “Ahh, bless him”. If he moved in the circles I move in, that would not be considered impressive!!!
Enough said!!
6 Jun 2009, 19:14 pm
#633 Slumtown: So lets consider your points…I presume that you were always a bok fan…since you were born…and that was.. lets say 30 years ago??
6 Jun 2009, 19:15 pm
#639 Puma: If the Lions played the Bulls I would quake in my boots!! See you.
6 Jun 2009, 19:18 pm
#644 carol: I don’t know of any BNP members doing much for themselves…But my clients are FTSE100 companies…and I do engage with many company MD’s primarily because I am a procurement specialist…and they obvioulsy queue to dine with me..
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