MOMozart
Captain49,914 posts
MOMozartCaptain49,914 posts
22 Jul 2013, 16:12#1
The away match against the Brumbies turned out to be a bridge too far for the Cheetahs. But that doesn't erase the great entertainment they have provided all season.....the Cheetahs provided more of the play that got fans out of their seats cheering, than any other S15 team this season. Unlikely comebacks, sweeping moves from deep in their half, forwards handling like backs....all part of the great show. And behind it all the genius of Willie Le Roux, spotting chances that nobody else could see....and exploiting them with vivid acceleration and can opening passes.
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But this kind of performance doesn't happen without good fundamentals, and this year the Cheetahs solved their old defensive weaknesses. It was the defence that kept them in the game for much of the Brumbie contest. Sadly it was the scrum, a point of strength with 4 Bok front row members of the recent test series....that imploded. But that can be fixed.
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The Cheetahs have entertained and succeeded....a true winning combination.
POpolyboy
Club Pro601 posts
23 Jul 2013, 02:20#4
Have enjoyed watching the Cheetahs this season, they should be the prototype for SA rugby, experience and good player selection is whats needed and these guys can win Super 15 in next year or 2.....and from a kiwi that was very hard to admit.
CLclevermike
Coach57,555 posts
CLclevermikeCoach57,555 posts
23 Jul 2013, 12:44#7
Balanced and reasoned posts by all. I think that the Cheetahs will retain most of their players this year - but they unfortunately lost Ebersohn. A pity is they lost both the brothers. If they retained Sias - who saw no hope in staying on and playing second fiddle to Goosen - the outcome on Saturday might have been entirely different.
There problem will be to obtain a sound no 12 to fit in with the rest of the team. Hopefully Goosen is over his injury problems and they can get a decent inside center - maybe De Allende would bite at a reasonable price if they invite him - since he has no hope in getting anywhere while playing for the Stormers.
Lets wait and see what the Cheetahs come up with in other positions. They discovered De Jager and they retained Le Roux. Their main players that won them games were their loosies and I think they will retain at least Van der Walt and Labuschagne. They need a few players to help in getting a stronger team as well. I would say they further need another tighthead, two loosies to replace Brussow and support the existing loosies, another two centers to support the present two and maybe another outside back so as to support and augment the team in the case of injuries to players .
Five good signings should see them through next year.
CLclevermike
Coach57,555 posts
CLclevermikeCoach57,555 posts
23 Jul 2013, 15:47#9
Beeno
As I see it - De Allende would get scraps while playing for the Stormers. He will not get any center position as long as De Villiers is around and Coetzee swears by the piss-poor De Jongh. On the wing he may get some playing time with the departure of Habana - but is it going to happen? In my mind he is a better center than he is a wing in any event. Coetzee is likely to come up with a midget again - Kolbe is entined by Coetzee - so there is no hope for Howard and De Allende..
Think they should give up on the brainless and go to the Cheetahs.
23 Jul 2013, 16:02#10
The Cheetahs punched well above their weight this year, and they have earned the respect of many opposing teams. People should try to remember that the Cheetahs managed all their success without a recognized pivot. I know it is all could've, should've, would've, but one has to ask how the Cheetahs season would have turned out, had that vital no.10 jersey been worn by arguably the best Flyhalf (Goosen) in SA all season? You can be pretty sure he would have slotted that last kick.
Anyway, a pipe dream.
