Clever ploy by Naka or are the Cheetahs throwing in the towell against Crusaders

Flanker Justin Downey will make his first Super Rugby start for the Cheetahs against the Crusaders on Saturday.

The Griquas loose forward made his official debut off the bench for the Cheetahs against the Brumbies a fortnight ago, and has impressed enough since then to receive a run-on spot from head coach Naka Drotske in Christchurch. He replaces Davon Raubenheimer in the loose trio. (Good move as davn is no super 14 player and absolutley not the number 7 the Cheetahs need))

In the front row, props Coenie Oosthuizen and WP Nel are also demoted as Trevor Nyakane starts at loosehead while Lourens Adriaanse is picked at tighthead.

This is a bit like playing Ashley Johnston of the bench. Are the Cheetahs planning to run crusaders of ftheir feet and then bring on their two best props to punch the holes? Or is th is an admission they cant beat crusaders. I suspect that Naka maak n plan!  Very nice bench. Watch how he uses it.

Cheetahs – 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Cameron Jacobs, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Willie le Roux, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Tewis de Bruyn, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Justin Downey, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen, 4 George Earle, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Adriaan Strauss (c), 1 Trevor Nyakane.
Reserves: 16 Hercu Liebenberg, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Andries Ferreira, 19 Ashley Johnson, 20 Piet van Zyl, 21 Sias Ebersohn, 22 Ryno Benjamin.

The nature of the SuperXV means the team with the better depth will do well. You cant just play the same team week in and week out, they'll eventually break down. I think Naka is playing it well. He's got 5 points already on tour, so a loss against the Crusaders wont be a train smash.

His back up props are about to be severely tested. Maybe Naka thinks if they can keep in touch he may just win it with his reserves?

Hope they dont just throw this game. An upset is possible. Cheetahs must not get into a forward slug fest.  Keep the ball moving.

 Downey is a good player as is Trevor Nykane, the Cheetahs back-up tighthead is useless though

Well said, UmgeniShark.