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, 16:10 pm
waste. That would have been important.
6 Jun 2009, 16:11 pm
#184 Loosehead: Ja, maklik.
6 Jun 2009, 16:12 pm
I hope Snor is watching to see what playing with kak scrum ball is like.
6 Jun 2009, 16:12 pm
#198 Slumtown: No comparison. HB is a top class player, 46 is CC at best.
6 Jun 2009, 16:13 pm
kick for poles.
6 Jun 2009, 16:14 pm
We need to get rid of Snor! He’s going to run the Boks into ground! I reckon that’s his mission. Its gonna take 5 – 10 years for South African rugby to recover!
6 Jun 2009, 16:14 pm
Potgieter het ‘n slegte wedstryd, jammer.
6 Jun 2009, 16:14 pm
I think Brussouw was off his feet that time
6 Jun 2009, 16:14 pm
Hahaha the Lions are suffering here. They certainly dont have the ascendancy in this match like they did against the **** Lions. If Cheetahs had a better flyhalf they would have done better thus far.
6 Jun 2009, 16:14 pm
All i see is BRUSSOW
BRUSSOW
BRUSSOW
Lions do not know what’s hitting them.
6 Jun 2009, 16:14 pm
I am sorry. Brussow is the best 6 in the world. Although he plays at 8 really. Bloody fantastic.
6 Jun 2009, 16:16 pm
I hope Snorrie is listening to the British commentary on Sky… They are saying that Brussouw is winning the battle against the British Lions loose trio singlehandedly.
Is Snorrie blind, or stubborn?
6 Jun 2009, 16:16 pm
Now bloody hit touch. JLP playing kak today.
6 Jun 2009, 16:16 pm
#211 SodaJoe:
Why are you sorry? Snorre should be sorry!!!
6 Jun 2009, 16:16 pm
Correction: he was on his feet. Good work.
6 Jun 2009, 16:17 pm
Brussow playing well. is that muppert Snor watching this?
6 Jun 2009, 16:17 pm
#210 A_Poc: I can guarrantee you Worsley knows who Brussouw is now!
6 Jun 2009, 16:18 pm
#212 wooden spoon: Who bloody knows. Totally dof decision.
good on the kid to show Snor how bad a decision it was.
6 Jun 2009, 16:18 pm
Staat only 9 points behind with 20 min to play !!
Gooooooo Staat !
6 Jun 2009, 16:18 pm
#212 wooden spoon: Both – he´s a doos. And no recognised fullback and he´ll persist with a recovering from injury Pienaar isntead of playing an on fire Morne Steyn. The mans a ******. He should be a lay preacher. Seems to like the religious quotes with a twist.
BTW – I have always rated JW Jonker and he´s been great again. Awesome player. But he´s really a centre.
6 Jun 2009, 16:18 pm
See that ***** linesman Joubert putting his nose in again today… and why is Barnes reffing here? Pedantic little Tintin lookalike
6 Jun 2009, 16:19 pm
Wel, al wen die BIL hierdie wedstryd, is die belangrikste vanuit SA se oogpunt: Brussow is die beste nr.6. Snorre, word wakker !
6 Jun 2009, 16:19 pm
Langkop – what’s it like to watch a proper fetcher play rugby? Not like that boy you’ve likened to Che Guevara.
6 Jun 2009, 16:19 pm
#219 grootblousmile: Welcome back….Long half time!
6 Jun 2009, 16:20 pm
#220 Slumtown: Snor? Not only a Doos but an ignorant arrogant one at that, with his 2 jock sniffing sidekicks couldn’t be any worse. Muir ffs he is at best Mark Andrews’ Jockstrap
6 Jun 2009, 16:20 pm
Ferris blitzed HB there. Oi vey.
6 Jun 2009, 16:21 pm
#224 carol: Hehehe yeah…
but it was a good Halftime, that I can assure you !
6 Jun 2009, 16:22 pm
Cheetahs speel heeltemal te ver agter die voordeellyn.
6 Jun 2009, 16:22 pm
#225 goyougoodthing2: Hahahah well said mate.
6 Jun 2009, 16:23 pm
schalk better pitch up, puma has been telling us that plumtree can convert schalk into a brussouw type fetcher in 3 weeks…we’re waiting….
6 Jun 2009, 16:23 pm
#228 BDB: Thats what happens when you get kak 1st phase ball.
6 Jun 2009, 16:24 pm
#229 Slumtown: ha ha at least I amuse myself
6 Jun 2009, 16:24 pm
Cheetahs can win this. Just need to get in their 22. GO BIYS. Holding thumbs here.
6 Jun 2009, 16:25 pm
How was that steal on their line. Damn fantastic. Thought they should have got a try there..hehe
6 Jun 2009, 16:26 pm
#230 Transformation: I doubt even Plumtree can do that. You either play that way or not. Besides, why convert someone from their natural game when there is aleady one or 2 (don’t forget Puke) who play that way naturally…
Dumb, like picking his nephew my name is Earl Rose
6 Jun 2009, 16:26 pm
#227 grootblousmile: Oh good, so was mine actually!!
Our Uglies still holding on there……
6 Jun 2009, 16:26 pm
Is there a hooker who can throw in in SA
6 Jun 2009, 16:26 pm
Penalty Staat !!
Go for posts !!
6 Jun 2009, 16:26 pm
Take the 3
6 Jun 2009, 16:26 pm
take the points
6 Jun 2009, 16:27 pm
Must say it’s great watching driving mauls again… was shocking to do away with them for so long… a great part of rugby
6 Jun 2009, 16:27 pm
Pommie line-outs are very bloody strong…
Damn penalty missed
6 Jun 2009, 16:27 pm
Schalk and Bekker WTF is Snor thinking…
6 Jun 2009, 16:28 pm
Poor kicking cost Cheaters the game maybe. Again I hope Snor is watching.
6 Jun 2009, 16:28 pm
Powell has been totally nullified in this game.
The Lions front row havent really been that great against the Cheetahs. Theyve had the upperhand but not hugely convincingly seeing as the Bok front row is going to be a far tougher option.
They are eating some humble pie here today after that shite Lions match.
6 Jun 2009, 16:28 pm
#237 SodaJoe: His name is John Smit. Currently being played at tighthead.
6 Jun 2009, 16:28 pm
#236 carol: Barely… hehehe
6 Jun 2009, 16:28 pm
#230 Transformation: Transie I never said that Plum could do that. I SAID I READ THAT PLUM SAID THAT IF BURGER PLAYED DIFFERENTLY HE WOULD BE DEVASTATING. Now read it slow and let it sink in before you speak. Go read it was on supersport. Plum said it not me. He never said he would change him in 3 weeks ever. I never said that.
6 Jun 2009, 16:29 pm
Lions like teh Gary Own too. Better choose a 15 that can catch and kick and tackle.
6 Jun 2009, 16:29 pm
#246 Loosehead: the only 1.
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