Confident Cheetahs target the Hurricanes - Whatever....
DUNCAN JOHNSTONE
Last updated 08:06 10/05/2013 Getty Images CONFIDENT CHEETAHS: The increasingly confident Cheetahs have been open about where they want to attack the Hurricanes.Super Rugby
The increasingly confident Cheetahs have been open about where they want to attack the Hurricanes tomorrow, declaring the New Zealanders “suspect” with their work at scrum and mauls.
While both teams like to play an attacking, expansive style, the Canes look set for more of the battering they took up front from the Bulls in Pretoria last weekend.
Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske got straight to the point when he discussed how his side might negate the Hurricanes.
If the Cheetahs can be as direct as their coach, it could be another long night for the Hurricanes forwards.
"We've looked at the Hurricanes at scrum time and know we want to take them on up front. Their stopping of the maul also looks suspect so we are definitely going to attack them there, Drotske said.
"But we have to keep the ball through the phases. The Hurricanes have conceded some tries during the competition so, if we manage to keep the ball through five or more phases, we know we will be rewarded."
But he was gracious enough to concede the Canes 48-14 loss to the Bulls had blown out through a couple of Kiwi errors as they looked to push their attack.
"If you watch the video of the Hurricanes' game against the Bulls, those two intercept tries took the game away from them.
"You can't read too much into the final score against the Bulls. The Hurricanes can be up by 14 points very quickly if you allow their outside backs into the game.
"We know if you want to beat a New Zealand side you must be 100 percent switched on, both in defence and attack."
But he was also quick to seize on the opportunity the absence of Hurricanes skipper Conrad Smith presented his side as the classy All Blacks centre is sidelined with concussion.
"I do think they will miss Conrad Smith. He has got a lot of experience and he is a world class player and his team mates respect him," Drotske said.
"His absence is a setback for them and we must make use of the opportunity."
With seven wins from 10 rounds, the once sloppy Cheetahs have steadily climbed to second behind the Bulls in the tight South African contest.
With four of their final six matches at home in Bloemfontein, they have a real opportunity to press for the playoffs, particularly if they can add bonus points through their attacking philosophy.
In contrast, the Hurricanes season hangs in the balance. They have drifted to a disappointing fourth in the New Zealand conference and a loss tomorrow (5.10am kick-off NZ time) would probably kill of their playoffs hopes.
Hurricanes and Cheetahs both teams great exponents of good running rugby will provide the game of the week.. Go the Canes.
- © Fairfax NZ News
