Cheetahs believe in Naas
3 Feb 2010
Hawies Fourie is confident that Naas Olivier has the necessary qualities to spearhead the Cheetahs successfully this season.
With the loss of Jacques-Louis Potgieter to the Bulls, Griquas pivot Olivier has been recognised as the first-choice flyhalf for the Cheetahs.
Olivier enjoyed a successful 2009, where he impressed in the latter part of the Super 14 for the Cheetahs and excelled for Griquas in the Currie Cup with a total tally of 151 points – a tally that was third behind WP’s Joe Pietersen (157) and Potgieter (172) who both played more matches.
Cheetahs backline coach Fourie said this kind of form will allow him to succeed in the No 10 jersey this season.
‘He finished the Currie Cup with an 85% goal kicking success rate. That’s the kind of percentages Morné Steyn and Willem de Waal have,’ Fourie told keo.co.za. ‘His goal kicking will be his biggest asset, especially when you consider the high-penalty count expected with the new law interpretations. He is also a good attacker and has great distribution skills.
‘Last season, you could see he had a big influence in Griquas’ Currie Cup campaign [where they almost made the semi-finals]. They were on a winning streak, but suffered a slump midway after he was injured. Almost like they lost their spark without him there.
‘With that kind of influence and with guys like Meyer Bosman, Corné Uys and Lionel Mapoe on his outside, we are sure he is the right flyhalf for us.’
Olivier, however, suffered a knee injury late in the Cheetahs’ pre-season preparations and underwent a minor operation. Olivier is still in the process of recovery, but he returned to training on Wednesday.
‘He’s half-way back to match fitness. He is running through the plays with the backline and hasn’t complained of any pain. We will hear on Monday whether he will be able to feature against the Bulls next weekend,’ said Fourie, adding he is confident Olivier will be able to recover in time.
In the meantime, Louis Strydom and Sias Ebersohn will provide cover at flyhalf.
‘With Louis and Sias in the squad, we do have enough depth at flyhalf,’ he said. ‘Louis is an experienced flyhalf, while Sias is a talented young player who should receive his opportunities this season.
‘Sias has impressed us with his attacking display in the pre-season games, and has improved his goal kicking by over 30% [from 40% to 75%] at training. We just need to see if he can handle the pressure at Super 14 level.’
By Gareth Duncan
11 Comments
3 Feb 2010, 14:52 pm
Louis Strydom is not an option , rather give Sias game time
3 Feb 2010, 14:56 pm
You cannot go wrong with a flyhalf named Naas… It is written in the stars!!!
3 Feb 2010, 14:56 pm
Botha?
3 Feb 2010, 15:00 pm
@Springbok: No Darran…just Naas…
3 Feb 2010, 15:03 pm
The Blue Bulls also believed in NAAS !
3 Feb 2010, 15:06 pm
@Rum And Maple:
Pity this one is Naas-beste.
Hawies has a lot more faith in Olivier than I do.
But I suppose he has to, he is left with little choice…
3 Feb 2010, 15:10 pm
@PissAnt: In my opinion Naas Olivier did very well in the Griquas team last year and they really went of the boil when he was out injured…
Strydom is as one dimentional as they come and not up to scratch at all…
Sias very exciting, just a little on the light side and I fear the “ooms” in the S14 will hurt him.
As I said…TRUST IN NAAS…
3 Feb 2010, 15:46 pm
@Rum And Maple:
The pressures of CC and S14 is vastly different.
In S14 Naas has been shown up badly in the past.
3 Feb 2010, 16:11 pm
Not serious…Hawies Fourie is getting infected with Drotskeism
He has a perfect good pivot with Bok experience in his squad and is a better option than any he has available.Plus with the potential backline he has at his disposal it would be foolish to not at least think of him there…Meyer Bosman
Cheetahs best XV
1.Du Preez
2.Strauss
3.Nel
4.vd Merwe
5.Du Plessis
6.Brussow
7.Smith
8.Johnson
9.Pretorius
10.Bosman
11.Mapoe
12.Ebersohn
13.Uys
14.Nokwe
15.Viljoen
3 Feb 2010, 17:52 pm
@mshiniwami: Who do you have at lock there Mshini…
De Villiers @ 5??
Du Plessis??
Agree with you on Bosman, but we need a reliable kicker, and with Bosman at 12, the backline has a reliable playmaker
4 Feb 2010, 00:01 am
M.Bosman is nooooo 10 by a long shot….
But play him there, and turbo charge our chances by 40%…at least…
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