The Lions-Cheetahs Game

It was not the fact that the Cheetahs lost against the Lions - it was the way in which they were defeated that made we want to express my serious reservations about the Cheetahs in Super 16 this year.   If what I aw tday is what the Cheetahs will produce in Super 15 - I am sure that there will be serious competition between them and the Kings/Queens for the wooden spoon.

The Cheetahs backline was disfunctional and showed that they could be dangerous - but they urgently need a proper flyhalf - Rhue showed some indication that he could develop further - but the best backline player was to my mind the Lions no 13.

The Cheetah forwards were patheric - especially poor in scrummaging.   

But the final score of 33-17 still indicates major superirority of the Lions and despie their demotion - they seem to have retained some of their netter players and bought in somereally exciting youngsters 

Mike I never saw the game but realsied you could be off the maark so I found an article on keo:

 The Lions beat an inconsistent Cheetahs side 33-17 in a pre-season fixture played at Ellis Park on Saturday.

 

It was an encouraging first-half display by the Cheetahs, but ultimately they will lament their inability to maintain that form over an 80-minute period.

It’s clear that there’s been a concerted effort to improve their defence in the off-season, as despite missing a host of first-choice players, they were able to produce an aggressive and organised display in the face of a relentless Lions attack. (You do know they were missing a number of first choice players?)

The Lions dominated territory and possession initially, but were undone by their own handling errors as well as the Cheetahs’ smart work at the breakdown. The visitors were especially effective in this department, slowing the Lions’ ruck recycle and in several instances making a turnover.

As was to be expected in the first game of the season, the Cheetahs were not absolutely accurate. They conceded a number of penalties at the breakdown, and Raymond Rhule was yellow carded in the 20th minute for a dangerous tackle.

The Cheetahs enjoyed more attacking opportunities as the match progressed, with Rhule scoring on his return from the sin bin and Hennie Daniller rounding off a well-worked move. This good work was undone, however, when their defence lapsed and conceded two quick tries in succession.

As the game entered the final quarter, it was the turn of the Lions to showcase some defensive mettle. They withstood a determined Cheetahs barrage from point blank range, and then eventually secured the turnover that would allow them to clear their lines.

A high hanging kick then went unfielded by the Cheetahs, and Lionel Cronje managed to collect the bouncing ball and extend the hosts’ lead. Cronje sparked the decisive try moments later when he intercepted a pass on his own 22m line, and then found Stokkie Hannekom with a clever offload

Mike although I never saw the game I do realise there were mitigating factors. 

But I am still hoping the Cheetahs could make say 10 on the log. So much depends on injury for them as they do not have great depth.

Lions if they get all their players back should easily account forthe battered queens at the playoffs. They might axctually find themselves with a better squad given the new faces who are doing well. We shall see.

I dont know much about the new look Lions side, but they are a young bunch in a rebuild process. Average age of 23 or something.

 

The Cheetahs had many missing like Brussouw, Coenie, Goosen and Sadie. They do lack grunt at lock, seems a real shame they lost young Carl Wegner to some French club, he is a good prospect

Saffex

Yes some of the Cheetahs big name performers were missing - but they were still pathetic and should get their show on the road - otherwiae they will only go one way - and that is down.

I like what I saw of the young Lions team - maybe losing some of their established players helped their course - rahter than damaged it.   The really have a top class  no 13 playing for them - never saw him playing before - and did not jot down his name.

   

Saffex

Yes some of the Cheetahs big name performers were missing - but they were still pathetic and should get their show on the road - otherwiae they will only go one way - and that is down.

I like what I saw of the young Lions team - maybe losing some of their established players helped their course - rahter than damaged it.   The really have a top class  no 13 playing for them - never saw him playing before - and did not jot down his name.

   

Yeah add flanker v/d Walt and hooker Adriaan Strauss as missing from the Cheetahs, that's 6 big names.

 

I think the 13 was Hanekom, big lad from Leopards or Pumas I think.

Here we go Mike

 

PLAYER PROFILE << SEARCH PLAYER PROFILES       PERSONAL DETAILS     FULL NAME Nicolaas Johannes SURNAME Hanekom HEIGHT 193 cm WEIGHT 101 Kg BIRTH DATE 17 May 1989 BIRTH PLACE Citrusdal MARITIAL STATUS Single FAVOURITE FILM As Good As It Gets FAVOURITE MUSIC Afrikaans FAVOURITE FOOD Pasta PRIMARY SCHOOL Citrusdal SECONDARY SCHOOL Paarl Gimnasium   PLAYER WRITE-UP     Playing Position:Outside Center

Saffex

Thanks - should go into the memory back as a future Super 15 prospect.

@mikey,

do u think maybe u put too much emphasis on these pre season games???

IMO all these warm up matches are primarily used for, is to blow out the cobwebs and to see where the fringe players are at in  temrs of devlopment and what have u.

i know u know that resulst are irrelevant, but more importantly the players know that too and that traslates to a psychlogical state of mind where performance is showing the coach u got the fundamentals sorted for the season ahead, which can effect the way u play.
on that flip side, the lions team albeit all a bunch of cubs, are treating this as a spXV match, cos their exclusion means this is one of the last time they will meet this level of opponent for the rest of the year, even if it is a starless cheetahs outfit.

@mikey,

do u think maybe u put too much emphasis on these pre season games???

IMO all these warm up matches are primarily used for, is to blow out the cobwebs and to see where the fringe players are at in  temrs of devlopment and what have u.

i know u know that resulst are irrelevant, but more importantly the players know that too and that traslates to a psychlogical state of mind where performance is showing the coach u got the fundamentals sorted for the season ahead, which can effect the way u play.
on that flip side, the lions team albeit all a bunch of cubs, are treating this as a spXV match, cos their exclusion means this is one of the last time they will meet this level of opponent for the rest of the year, even if it is a starless cheetahs outfit.

Sasue

You are indeed 100% correct and I must see the performance in line with your comments - bearing ibb nind that the Cheetahs did not bother to play their top players. 

However, the Lions won easily and theat made me unconfortable sbout the game.  I still like what I saw about theyounger players of the Lions and they are no doubt going to do well in the domestic competitions.