Ruck battle to decide Bloem war
Heinrich Brüssow believes an unlikely victory over the Bulls hinges on the Cheetahs’ performance at the breakdown.
Bulls director of rugby Heyneke Meyer told keo.co.za on Monday that he predicts the Crusaders and Brumbies to excel under the new breakdown law interpretations, as they promote continuity and encourage attacking rugby. However, the Super 14 champions are another team that possess the qualities to dominate at the breakdown under the new law interpretations.
The Bulls’ physicality at the set-phases is a well-known quality that should help them flourish in securing possession, but Brüssow said the Cheetahs have put plans in place to counter them.
‘I obviously can’t expose our game plan but we do have a few tricks up our sleeve,’ Brüssow told keo.co.za. ‘The biggest factor in the match will definitely be the breakdown, so it could become a match-deciding facet of play.
‘The Bulls commit a lot of guys at the breakdowns, which will create a physical contest. They have loose forwards like Deon Stegmann, who is an old mate of mine and who will provide a tough contest, and Derick Kuün, who should make a successful transition back to flank, so it will be a tough battle. We just have to be up to the task on Friday.’
Meyer also mentioned that the new law interpretations will change the role of the openside flank, a question Brüssow has been frequently asked in recent weeks.
‘I have to admit, I have been annoyed by people asking me if I thought the law interpretations were made to stop my contesting style or if I have to change my technique now,’ Brüssow said. ‘The idea behind the law interpretations is to improve the flow of the game and not to target me.
‘It will, however, be interesting to see how the referees blow the game.’
The Cheetahs have expressed their concerns in the last two weeks about the high penalty count at the breakdown. This is also expected in the opening weeks of the Super 14 because of the new law interpretations.
Forwards coach Barend Pieterse believes the Cheetahs back row has the ability to adjust.
‘Heinrich, Juan [Smith] and Ashley [Johnson] are talented loose forwards and they should have the experience to adjust and understand what not to do and what they will be allowed to do. So we should be able to handle the new law interpretations,’ said Pieterse.
By Gareth Duncan
February 9th, 2010 at 10:09 am
Rhymes with mienrich Mushow. DONE!
February 9th, 2010 at 10:12 am
unlikely?
come on, cheetahs have a great shot. It’s the first game,at home and Bulls are notoriously slow starters.
February 9th, 2010 at 10:15 am
the big ball carriers will come back to the fore, just like pre-2007.
February 9th, 2010 at 10:16 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl:
in this regard, the bulls frontrow might scrum like fairies…but they all love carrying the ball forward and charging into rucks.
February 9th, 2010 at 10:18 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl: Come on now, we all know who the real slow starters are, even in last year’s CC, cheetahs just cant help but leave everything till the last second.
Anything is possible though, but the Cheetahs beating the Bulls first up, I think the Lions have a better chance at beating the Stormers.
February 9th, 2010 at 10:20 am
@FireStraeuli:
“Battle of the slow starters”
February 9th, 2010 at 10:22 am
@FireStraeuli:
Cheetahs probably have a chance just because they are playing a SA team. Then they will surrender rather meekly against the Aus and Nz teams. But you probaly right it is too early in the season for the cheetahs to be pulling upsets they only do that when they are completly down and out.
February 9th, 2010 at 10:35 am
@Sonito: Oh boy!! That is so lame!!
Think a few of the Aus and NZ teams will beg to differ, just ask the Crusaders…
Just ask Poppa, he will tell you how close some of those losses were.
But hey whatever floats our boat!!
February 9th, 2010 at 10:43 am
@Cheetah 4 Eva:
Sorry but where on the log have the Cheetahs finished in the last couple of seasons? ….. Thats what I thought!
That are a much better team than that!
February 9th, 2010 at 10:53 am
I have no idea where the Cheetahs come off mouthing off with the shakey pre-season they’ve been having and their inability to ever achieve more than the odd upset in the S14.
Nobody cares or even knows who finished 12th on the log in ‘08.
It takes more than an upset to win the S14.
February 9th, 2010 at 11:02 am
@Cheetah 4 Eva:
Cheetahs win ratio against SA opposition is 38%.
Cheetahs win ratio against Foreign opposition is 17%.
February 9th, 2010 at 11:09 am
#11
We know this, the whole rugby fraternity knows this, what are you on about?
Cheetah 4 Eva was merely stating that an upset might be on the cards. And he is right, 2009 saw the Sharks and Crusaders going down, the Cheetahs have a very competent team, they just need to fire. They always pick themselves up for the Bulls, should they win this one, and lose the other 12, their campaign would have been worth it in their eyes.
#10
The Cheetahs care, South African rugby cares.
February 9th, 2010 at 11:11 am
#10
Which Cheetahs mouthed off by the way? Not one I know of said they were going to win the S14, but they are quite capable of ******** up everyone else’s chances.
February 9th, 2010 at 11:11 am
@thesaint: So, who finished 12th then in ‘08, seeing as you believe we care?
February 9th, 2010 at 11:13 am
I just love the way the Cheetah players, coaches etc. are all so positive about an upset AND going public with it…
Carry on boys…
Create more posters for our change room before the game…
February 9th, 2010 at 11:16 am
@thesaint: The fact that you are persuing this is proof enough.
Typical Free State mentality, happy with an upset…the goal of S14 is to win the bloody thing.
February 9th, 2010 at 11:20 am
@Blouste: I also can’t believe they’re going public, instead of just praying for a win.
We all know how the Cheetahs perform in the S14, and guaranteed it wont be anything close to what we saw in the CC final, they’re just not profesional enough. Naka’s big mouth is proof of this.
February 9th, 2010 at 11:30 am
@thesaint:
Sorry dude but where did Cheetah 4 Eva state there might be an upset on the cards???? he was not arguing that point! I said they have a chance of upsetting the bulls because it is a SA side but I said it is not likely because they normally only upset teams when they are down and out.
February 9th, 2010 at 11:38 am
@thesaint:
He was arguing that a couple of NZ and Aus will beg to differ about surrendering meekly. There win ratio is 17% against Aus and NZ teams! I doubt they are shacking in there boots.
February 9th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
@FireStraeuli:
Firstly, I am a Stormers supporter.
2nd It was the Reds in 2008
3rd If you think there is no chance of an upset, you all don’t know SA Rugby
February 9th, 2010 at 12:10 pm
@thesaint: Okay:
Your firstly…how could I not see it, so obvious.
Your Second….Reds, Cheetahs, Lions…anything below 4 and it matters not.
Your Third….As I said, S14 is not about the odd upset, the aim is to actualy win the cup, not the spoon.
February 9th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
@FireStraeuli:
Nothing really changed on Keo…since the brotherhood left only a bunch of yay and nay sayers were left. And unschooled idiots such as yourself, who can obviously not read and grasp what on earth we are talking about.
To even suggest that the Cheetahs can win the cup is ridiculous, which is why we are not talking about that. But two or three upsets, coupled with one or two good games, could get them up to mid-table. Which would be an improvement of incredible stature, however, now you are on about, winning is everything, nothing else matters.
So obviously it leads me to believe you are 10 years old, have won all the races you have entered and feels quite chuffed about it. Good for you.
Don’t even bother to reply…not interested in idiotic drivel.
February 9th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
@thesaint: Wow, two lines into your comment and I already felt as if Luke Watson was braaking on me….
February 9th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
@thesaint: Too many self opinionated idiots like yourself in the world, I would have said South Africa but here’s betting you’re one of the many cowards hiding in another country completely out of touch with reality.
February 9th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
@thesaint: PS….your ‘winning isnt everything’ speech you got from your dad in primary school because you are a looser…um, he was lying, winning is everything and only loosers like yourself will differ.
February 9th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
Who said, “If you can`t go all the way, why go at all”?
February 9th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
@FireStraeuli:
Beautiful man…looser…with 2 o’s brilliant…
February 9th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
@thesaint: yeah, twice as big as usual…sodding numb-nuts, rather keep to yourself before you hurt yourself.
February 9th, 2010 at 3:00 pm
@FireStraeuli:
Hahahahahahahaha
You really are 10 aren’t you?
February 9th, 2010 at 3:05 pm
@thesaint: Are you still arguing a point here, or are you out to prove how daft you are?
February 9th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
@Sonito: I disagree, they won’t surrender after the first game …
… their next game is against the Sharks!! Best start ever for the Orange boys?
February 9th, 2010 at 3:45 pm
@Blouste: Which Cheetahs are going all public??? Sounds a bit suspect to me?
In fact I said I am carefully optmistic, but that the Bulls have too often spoiled my parade!!
Think the Bulls supporters are tired of being ignored…. It’s been all Stormers and Sharks until now….
February 9th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
@thesaint: @FireStraeuli:
Come on boys kiss and make up now.
February 9th, 2010 at 3:55 pm
@scar:
I just hope the orange boys play to there potential this year. i cant stand them losing to foreign teams that they are better than.
February 9th, 2010 at 4:03 pm
@Cheetah 4 Eva:
Not at all
We prefer it like that thank you very much…
February 9th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
@FireStraeuli:
Nah, I am not arguing a point anymore, I am just being stupid.
You are in any case not prepared to engage in a rugby oriented argument / bantering, it’s your opinion or bust, I have seen many of your kind come and go.
I am not sure if you are a bull or a disgruntled shark, but now that I know your stance on winning at all cost, I can understand why the Sardine can and Moftus are so empty during bad seasons.
But hey, to each his own.
Maar ek begin darem nou weer onthou hoekom het ek op ‘n stadium hier ophou blog.
February 9th, 2010 at 9:50 pm
No other team in SA is constantly drained of its home grown talent like the Cheetahs, last I checked they lost Potgiter and Richardt Strauss.
We got to take it into account.