Will Cheetahs beat the Chiefs

Ex Keo

Naka Drotske says the Cheetahs can beat the Chiefs with the type of performance that they delivered against the Crusaders last season.

Do you remember the Cheetahs’ famous 33-20 win over the Crusaders in 2011?

Despite the trauma of the earthquakes in Christchurch, the Crusaders were thriving at that stage of the competition, having won seven out of their eight matches prior to the Bloemfontein clash. This included big wins over the Stormers (20-14 at Newlands), the Bulls (27-0) and Sharks (44-28 at Twickenham). The Cheetahs were experiencing an inconsistent season, but had just thrashed the Lions 53-19 at Ellis Park the week before.

The Cheetahs displayed a strong forwards and defensive game, mixed with some clever tactical kicking to upset the seven-time champions. Flyhalf Sias Ebersohn was the standout performer, scoring 23 points via a try, three conversions and four penalties. The Crusaders pack and key backline players, specifically flyhalf Dan Carter and inside centre Sonny Bill Williams, were recognised as major threats. These dangers were nullified, and Carter and Williams were restricted and both eventually walked off injured after being met by a physical defence – this all key factors in the victory.

The Cheetahs now head into a similar scenario this weekend.

The Chiefs arrive in Bloemfontein as this year’s in-form New Zealand franchise. They top their conference, are second on the overall standings and are on the back of a five-match winning streak. They boast an imposing pack and have one of the more formidable backlines in the tournament, with the midfield axis of flyhalf Aaron Cruden, Williams and outside centre Richard Kahui showing great form for the Hamilton team.

Drotske, though, believes the Cheetahs can down the Chiefs with the same game plan that upstaged the Crusaders.

‘The Chiefs are definitely New Zealand’s best team at the moment. They have a strong, mobile pack and their dangerous backline uses this momentum very well. They tend to use the “pick up and drive” tactic regularly, and are lethal when on the front foot,’ Drotske told keo.co.za. ‘We need to deny them that privilege.

‘Overall, we have improved on defence. But we need to step it up this weekend, like we did in that win over the Crusaders last year. We also need to kick well tactically. If we can find any sort of weakness with our plans for this weekend’s match, we need to capitalise and dominate.

‘Sonny Bill Williams is a special player in their team. He’s the best centre in the competition according to all the stats. We’ll need to mark him.’

As reported on this site on Tuesday, flyhalf Johan Goosen is struggling with a shoulder injury. After starting in all seven of the Cheetahs’ fixtures this season, it will be smart move to rest the 19-year-old and give back-up pivot Ebersohn a run.

Drotske acknowledged that he’ll need to manage his squad carefully in the coming weeks.

‘I was happy with our first-half performance against the Lions. We led 23-0 at the break and we performed really well on attack and defence to achieve that,’ said Drotske. ‘We weren’t as clinical in the second half, but that’s because of the many changes I made and some of the guys tired a bit.

‘It’s been tough on the players after a challenging tour, and some guys are nursing injuries. I will monitor the situation accordingly.

Go Cheetahs set the tone for the chiefies tour.

 yeah why not i think we can do it!!! thing is if we do and then get 4 points from our bye,, then beat the highlanders,, then we will be looking great for a wildcard spot,, the bulls still have to tour, so i think they will struggle to make the top6

I will say yes.

Another dumb question Bean Brain

The Chiefs on the highveld are about to face a stiff test........a Cheetahs win won't surprise.

So we have a number of yesses and ou brycy acting dumb.

It will be a hard one to win but it is possible. Will the travel bug hit the chiefies as well.

Go Cheetahs take em doooooown!

 I am keen for the Cheetahs not to back down from their high tempo game - I am also intrigued by what gameplan Wayne Smith may have put in place - I was abit disturbed by the Chiefs trying to go wide every single time they had the ball against the Brumbies without earning the right to do so - even the forwards/loosies were running laterally and trying to push passes!

cheetahs are easily the most exciting SA team with their refreshing attacking rugby, but drotske who i have always rated as a good coach, is silly to be using the cheetahs win over the crusaders last year as any kind of a steeping tool as to how the cheetahs will fare against the chiefs on sat.

here are the simple facts drotske, 2011 stormers played crusaders and lost and the game took a tremndou toll on both teams as cursdaers suffered a huge injury count and went on to lose to the cheeaths and the stormers went on to lose to the chiefs, who last year were NZs version of the cheetahs.

crusdaers vs cheetahs was McCaws 2nd game back from his well documented foot injury and carters first game back in a month and a half and both were clearly not at their best.
SBW had a corcked thigh during warm upa and both the doctors and blackadder decided at the last second to play him at his request. he had no effect on the game and was subbed at half time, he then went on to miss the following week as well.

crusdaers team that lost to the cheetahs were missing andy ellis, khan fotualii, brad thorn, sam whitelock, sean maitland, adam whitelockand israel dagg all due to injuries.

taking nothing away from the cheetahs well earnt win, cos the crusaders issues are all a part of the nature of sport, but everything in prespective please, especially when the cheetahs lost to the crusdaers this year, while the crusaders lost the chiefs. of course after all this, chiefs will now prb lose by 50pts, LMAO. :P

but chiefs by 15pts, bloomfintein grounds benefit the chiefs backs, more then it does theres.

Sasuk certainly injuries did hamper the crusaers last year. However drotsky is also basing his hopes on some solid performaces from the Cheetahs this year who would be even higher up on the log but for a crooked ref  (brumbies game)

Yes Chiefs could win this one but hopefully the Cheetahs will rise to the occassion and win - a distinct possibility as well. Interesting clash. Cheetahs are desparate ths season - their whole future hangs in the balance.