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, 16:44 pm
Uhum … replay of the defining penalty of the game please
6 Jun 2009, 16:44 pm
3 Tries to 2.
Says something.
Then again this was the BL 2nd string.
6 Jun 2009, 16:44 pm
Wayne Barnes strikes again.
Everyone in the Lions team know that they lost today.
6 Jun 2009, 16:45 pm
I’VE NEVER HAD SO MUCH RESPECT FOR THE CHEETAHS UNTIL TODAY!!!!
WELL DONE FREE STATE
6 Jun 2009, 16:45 pm
Well played Cheetahs.
6 Jun 2009, 16:45 pm
Brussouw was brilliant…played like Luke…PDV made a huge mistake leaving Luke out.. With Luke we have all of that and brains and leadership..Bokke will have to make do with three big dumb loosies
6 Jun 2009, 16:45 pm
#287 grootblousmile: Have to go, off to an Art Exhibition now, see you soon ***
6 Jun 2009, 16:46 pm
#298 Slumtown: Sorry that was a typing mistake. I meant M. Steyn. All these Steyns….hehehe.
6 Jun 2009, 16:46 pm
Well, the lowest placed SA Super 14 Team (without their Bokke) ran the BI Lions close.
Lots of heart and solid tackling by the Staat.
6 Jun 2009, 16:46 pm
#307 carol: Enjoy Carol.
6 Jun 2009, 16:47 pm
Brussouw is in a different league to Luke. No comparison.
6 Jun 2009, 16:47 pm
#306 Langenhoven: all thtose brains and all that leadership wont matter if the boys dont want to play will it??
thats what luke watson brings to the team,,hate !!!
6 Jun 2009, 16:47 pm
How could Brussouw not be the MOTM?
6 Jun 2009, 16:47 pm
#309 grootblousmile: Just missed out. Proud of that team. They give 100%. Just those missed kicks. Hope PdV selects M. Steyn.
6 Jun 2009, 16:47 pm
Lions tour of South Africa
Played 3 Won 3
6 Jun 2009, 16:48 pm
#307 carol: Cheers Karlien… enjoy !
6 Jun 2009, 16:48 pm
#306 Langenhoven: Brussouw played like Luke? Rubbish. Brussouw is way, way better. Brussouw is world class not S14 class.
6 Jun 2009, 16:48 pm
#253 Puma: How do fancy our chances on Wednesday boet? Who do we have in reserve for our backs? Its a pity Vulindlu was picked for the Emerging Boks, we could’ve done with him against the Lions. Reckon Snor was too hasty there he needs more experience, talent for the future I reckon.
6 Jun 2009, 16:49 pm
#315 Big Hit: Just played the weaker teams so far Big Hit and almost got beat by the Giant Killer Orange Machine…hehe. Only 2 points in it. Missed kicks can cost huge.
6 Jun 2009, 16:49 pm
15 F Steyn
14 JP Pietersen
13 Fourie
12 De Villiers
11 Habana
10 M Steyn
9 Du Preez
8 Spies
7 Smith
6 Brussouw
5 Matfield
4 Botha
3 Van der Linde
2 Smit
1 Beast
This team will clean up the Lions 3 ZIP.
But no, we are making it as tough as possible for ourselves.
6 Jun 2009, 16:50 pm
#296 SodaJoe: All the crucial places we have dubious selection choices.
Kick points – we could well se e Pienaar at 10 instead of M Steyn
Competitve scrum – lack of proper tighthead is worrysome
Make sure you have players who tackle – Earl Rose a worry
win breakdown – Burger instead of Brussouw big worry
High ball kick n chase – no accepted fullback worrying. Kirchner or Terblanche should have been picked.
We have flaws in all the above areas. I´m a bit worried but we should handle. If we made the right selection choices we would murder them on this tour.
6 Jun 2009, 16:50 pm
#315 Big Hit: Played 3 understrengh sides, narrowly beating 2, comprehensively beating a thouroughly despirited team…
Be worried… be very worried !
6 Jun 2009, 16:51 pm
well done cheetahs, you okes shouldn’t be@ the bottom of the s14 log! Is it the coach that’s bringing you down?!
6 Jun 2009, 16:51 pm
What was that last penalty for?
6 Jun 2009, 16:51 pm
#318 Crouching Tiger Hidden Bokke: Well when we lost 3 players to injury our bench in the S14 was very thin. So losing 10 players is huge. I think the Emerging Boks can play. Well hope so otherwise cant call that a Sharks team. Well not their first team.
6 Jun 2009, 16:51 pm
don’t forget bafana bafana beat poland today. The soccer stadiums are beggining to look better than the prehistoric rugby stadiums.Please would someone upgrade ellis park.
6 Jun 2009, 16:52 pm
#306 Langenhoven: Ahh shutup Shaun. You always have say something dumb.
6 Jun 2009, 16:52 pm
#308 Puma: Phew was worried there heheh.
6 Jun 2009, 16:52 pm
haha two tries when the Lions were down to 14 and an intercept when Lions on the attack
I knew Cheetahs would be the biggest test though and they didn’t let me down. Great game, credit to both teams.
6 Jun 2009, 16:52 pm
Will i mean.
6 Jun 2009, 16:52 pm
#323 Transformation:
should you then blame the coach for their performance today?
6 Jun 2009, 16:53 pm
Wednesday’s match against the Tjarks 3rd Team should be easier for the BI Lions….
6 Jun 2009, 16:53 pm
My God Brussouw was awesome! That boy is so talented and using his brain! Something I’m not used to seeing from our players. PdV can’t ignore him any longer I think.
6 Jun 2009, 16:53 pm
Hows it that the cheetahs had Juries on the bench and never saw the need to use him…one of the best finishers in world rugby is left to rot on the bench.. Imagine teh cheethas today with one more finisher or game breaker…Stupidity ruins and reigns…
6 Jun 2009, 16:53 pm
Dink nie die BIL gaan weer so harde wedstryd kry voor hul die Opkomende Bokke en die Bokspan speel nie.
Sharks en WP is lekker by die see, waar lugdruk nie ‘n probleem is nie. Sharks kort 10 bokke, en die WP, wel, die arme WP is net nie meer wat hul was nie, lank laaaaaaank gelede !
6 Jun 2009, 16:54 pm
Langkop – what’s it like to watch a proper fetcher play rugby? Not like that boy you’ve foolishly likened to Che Guevara.
6 Jun 2009, 16:54 pm
#318 Crouching Tiger Hidden Bokke: Vulindlu had a good game 1st up, disappeared after that. He was crowd favourite but has not shown anything else… not enough game time to get picked…
Sharks will be a great game, but no rugby for close to a month won’t make it easy for the Sharks… I hear only 20 000 tickets have been sold too…
#306 Langenhoven: Dude I do agree Puke played well this S14 but his attitude and the kind of divide he would bring to the squad means I wouldn’t pick him 99%of the time. He is a bit of a tw@t if you really want to be honest. He walks around like someone blew air up his bottom…
Hard but true, even if it’s not a reflection on what has been probably his best performing year…
6 Jun 2009, 16:54 pm
Clearly Brussouw was Man of the Match.
6 Jun 2009, 16:54 pm
#327 Slumtown: What’s so dumb about it…substantiate
6 Jun 2009, 16:55 pm
#329 Big Hit: Well Big Hit I would say Worsley was completely outplayed today by Brussouw but agree with you, Lions dominated today I think the score wasn’t entirely fair and Barnes was abit harsh on his own countrymen…
6 Jun 2009, 16:55 pm
#329 Big Hit: and you were hyping up Worsley big time…where’s Joe now? Was made to look invisible by Brussouw.
6 Jun 2009, 16:55 pm
#320 wooden spoon: Interestingly Danie Gerber would put Jacques Fourie at 12 and Jean de Villiers at 13, backed up by Olivier and Jacobs respectively
6 Jun 2009, 16:55 pm
I am sick an tired of useless refs!!!!
How can that last move be a penalty to the Lions???
Useless Barnes!!
Cheetahs won today! Fair and square
6 Jun 2009, 16:56 pm
#327 Slumtown:
dumb is all he knows..
6 Jun 2009, 16:56 pm
#328 Slumtown: Me too. I thought WHAT!! Not Frans then checked and I typed the F. instead of the M. I mentioned M. Steyn in other posts not only today but during the week too. He is in great form and his kicking is spot on. MUST start. Ruan is pure class but not enough gametime in the S14. PdV would be daft not to start with M. Steyn and FH.
Kicking at posts cost the Cheetahs today. Thats what cost us the series in 1997. Only our kicking at posts.
6 Jun 2009, 16:56 pm
If the Cheetahs had a slightly stronger scrum, better goal kickers and someone better than Bosman they’d be quite a decent team going by this performance.
6 Jun 2009, 16:56 pm
Brussouw was awesome. Het lekker twee vingers gewys vir Snorre. Thought that Denwal also gave 100%; very unlucky not to have scored 2 tries. Die Staat was vandag baie ongelukkig om te verloor….and the Lions know it. Trust me. How many turnovers did they create? I can remember maybe 1 or two?
Die Bokke gaan hulle verkrag. Drie keer.
6 Jun 2009, 16:56 pm
Vamos Pumas!
6 Jun 2009, 16:56 pm
#317 Puma: Stats says that you are wrong…. and I am right
6 Jun 2009, 16:56 pm
Well played game. Good Intensity. Is it just me or Is Barnes just inept. Didntunderstand half his rulings
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