Wounded Cats trust in Tiaan
8 Feb 2006
As expected, Tiaan Snyman has been handed the Cats’ No 10 jersey for the opening clash with the Stormers on Saturday.
Frans Ludeke has spoken of his faith in Snyman, but the absence of Andre Pretorius in addition to outside backs Conrad Jantjes and Ashwin Willemse leaves the Cats backline appearing more competent than threatening.
“Andre is a huge loss for them, that much anyone can deduce,” Stormers coach Kobus van der Merwe told keo.co.za. “But we respect Tiaan, he’s got a big boot on him and we are expecting him to attempt to drive us back. We’re well prepared to counter that though.”
Van der Merwe also commented on the absence of Jantjes.
“We are obviously quite happy that Conrad isn’t playing, he showed last year just how dangerous he is, and his positional play is superb. We know all about what Earl can do to, though, and his inclusion does not weaken their side.”
Ludeke made mention to keo.co.za that Rose is expecting a barrage of high-balls, particularly early on.
Van der Merwe’s response was typically understated.
“He can certainly expect one or two high ones,” he smiled.
The pack is strong, with Ernst Joubert’s good preseason form rewarded with jersey 8. The tight five, however, is where the Cats will hope to exert their dominance. Three Springboks in Lukas van Biljon, Marius Hurter and Jannes Labuschagne start, with another Lawrence Sephaka due for an appearance off the bench.
Interestingly, Ludeke has opted to name two locks in Willem Stoltz and KleinJan Tromp on the bench, forsaking the option of a replacement loose forward.
CATS SIDE TO PLAY THE STORMERS
15 Earl Rose
14 Wylie Human
13 Jaque Fourie
12 Wayne Julies
11 Jorrie Muller
10 Tiaan Snyman
9 Enrico Januarie
8 Ernst Joubert
7 Wikus van Heerden (c)
6 Cobus Grobbelaar
5 Jannes Labuschagne
4 Trevor Hall
3 Marius Hurter
2 Lukas van Biljon
1 Pietman van Niekerk
Subs
16 Delarey du Preez
17 Lawrence Sephaka
18 KleinJan Tromp
19 Willem Stoltz
20 Jano Vermaak
21 Doppies la Grange
22 Grant Esterhuizen
36 Comments
8 Feb 2006, 09:51 am
Dragons….. always wanted 2 do that !!
8 Feb 2006, 09:51 am
Wylie vs Nokwe
Jorrie vs Benjamin.
Easy game for the stormers wings!!
The last time Wylie played against Nokwe (Lions vs Boland), Nokwe went around him as if he wasn’ there!!
8 Feb 2006, 09:54 am
gaffie, i would be worried if snyman was my flyhalf. the cats are in for a tough match, even if it is on their home ground. Stormers seem to be better team than last yr. they wont be relegated. the cats, sharks and maybe cheetahs will be fighting it out for the wooden spoon. Along with the western force and reds…
8 Feb 2006, 09:55 am
Gaffie,
thats assuming Nonkwe gets the ball, stormers will be starved for possesion and Ricky is going to nail Grant!!
8 Feb 2006, 09:57 am
they have to get the ball first, gafgat! Now unless Tiaan goes suicidal and kicks possession away, they micht struggle in that department. Last time I checked, you okes still don’t have much of a pack.
8 Feb 2006, 09:58 am
tisme, can hear you a bulls supporter. worry about your own teams chances vs the cheetahs, with all your injuries you should be focussing on their problems. Stormers will do well, i can garuantee you that!!!
8 Feb 2006, 09:58 am
robd, i am sure gaffie aint a stormers supporter, he supports the cheetahs i think…
8 Feb 2006, 10:00 am
Actually I am not supporting the Stormers, I am a big Boland fan and just want the Boland guys to do well!
8 Feb 2006, 10:02 am
Wylie and Jorrie must be the crappiest wing pair in the history of the competition … How come the WPRU are stupid enough to loose all their good players … WTF … Loose Rose, but keep Gus … Loose Hougaard, but keep Grant …
8 Feb 2006, 10:03 am
guys check this out on the s14 is it legal?
http://www.geocities.com/super142006
8 Feb 2006, 10:11 am
Yes Grune, and you call the Bulls stupid !
8 Feb 2006, 10:12 am
I think this game is going to be the closest of them all. Cats are going to play to win this one. I hope my beloved stormers can win there first game. All they need do is to win there first few games than i will have hope for them.
8 Feb 2006, 10:25 am
Its going to be like clubbing baby seals, Stormers wont see much of the ball.
Only joking, its going to be a very good game, I will be at Ellis Park and really looking forward to it.
Will be very interesting to see the how the Stormers pack shapes up to the Cats at Ellis Park.
8 Feb 2006, 10:35 am
Craig – what Stormers pack?
8 Feb 2006, 10:41 am
Keo – Roll them bones
First game – probably see more errors than tries or pints scored
8 Feb 2006, 10:52 am
This is a tough one to call, if the Cats were a bit more full strength I’d back them but now I feel the Stormers will have to much for them, I hope I’m wrong.
Besides if the Goats get beaten then there will be major cause for concern having been beaten by a depleted Cats squad.
8 Feb 2006, 10:58 am
For crying out loud!How the hell can he play Jorrie before Grant??
8 Feb 2006, 11:03 am
jannie bloody good Q?, Maybe he’ll get injured in the 1st match and then that will be the last of him or he may surprise and score a couple of tries…Unlikely I know
8 Feb 2006, 11:08 am
CSB – I remember Jorrie actually scoring a couple of good tries once. Can’t remember the exact details and I may have been drunk, though.
8 Feb 2006, 11:11 am
Because Jorrie is King!!! Grant is awesome because he is a Lion but Jorrie is still the try scoring, white line charging, mega superstar KING!!!! Freddie was the great pretender, Gus was just a pretender but Jorrie is GREAT!
8 Feb 2006, 11:15 am
Simple really.
If the cats can emulate the Bulls last year and use their superior forwards to keep the ball tight and starve the Stormers midfield of possession then it’s good night nurse for Stormers. If they use Wikus and Jannes as first receivers to drive it up and Tiaan keeps his kicking defensive, then we should win it.
Try tactically kicking at the Stormers and we’re dead.
Oh and if Julies / Fourie click and their brilliance is allowed to show on attack it’s also good night nurse.
Grant will find Rickie Januarie / Cobus Grobbelaar combo a bit of a nasty one to attack and distribute against. Rickie rattled someone like Dan Carter. Imagine what the future holds for Grant if Rickie emulates that performance.
Ernst Joubert isa surprise. My money was on Vosloo.
I reckon from this team selection the Cats plan is to hold it tight. If they can do that, they’ll win.
8 Feb 2006, 11:15 am
Think the Stormers might actually win this one. Even though they are playing without a flyhalf.
8 Feb 2006, 11:17 am
You might score more points than the Mighty Cats but you will NEVER beat them!!!
8 Feb 2006, 11:25 am
It’s going to be a loooooooooooonnnnnnnnnngggggggg season for us Cats supporters. Eish……..
8 Feb 2006, 11:27 am
Ek trust nie vir Tiaan nie. As Andre fiks is is Enrico in die hospitaal. En anders om. Kom nou boys wees julle altwee op dieselfde tyd reg.
I hope we see a good battle between the centres.
8 Feb 2006, 11:29 am
DavidSp – I must agree with your post. and looking at Ludeke’s pack and bench would indicate he’s looking to do exactly that!
Will be a good first up for the sotrmers too, as their pack needs to be smacked into shape early on. There’s not a hell of a lot wrong with the players, they’ve just never gone on the field with the mongrel you gotta have to compete. Primary phases are never a real worry, its the loose where they get dominated by a well knitted tight 5.
8 Feb 2006, 11:30 am
KWV – when, in your opinion, was the last time the Stormers actually had a flyhalf then? I reckon it was 2000/2001.
8 Feb 2006, 11:33 am
Munki
I agree the bench shows this is what Ludeke’s plan is. He’s going to try and emulate thye Bulls from last year, especially with Jannes and Van Niekerk selected.
Craig
What do you know about Joubert.
I am really looking forward to the clash between Luke Watson and Cobus Grobbelaar. Seeing how the two go at 10′s in the match.
8 Feb 2006, 11:37 am
munkiboi,
IMHFO round about that time. SickNote and Gaffie both had one good season. They probably need to select one 10 and stick with him for more than one season – just don’t know if that 10 should be Grant. Heard alot about him at Vodacom Cup level, but not at all impressed with his CC performances (but one against Sharks).
8 Feb 2006, 12:05 pm
Jacque Fourie vs de Wet Barry.
Wow! Did someone say de Wet Barry vs Japie Mulder, round 3. Smash mouth rugby at it’s best! Bring it on!!
8 Feb 2006, 12:23 pm
Dont think the Lions have the T 5 to play the Bulls game.
Should be a close game though.
8 Feb 2006, 12:50 pm
Weak at wing and 10. Other than that their pack should dominate given the Stormers side just posted. Can’t believe the season is about to start already! I love this time of year!
8 Feb 2006, 12:52 pm
Is Gerhard Vosloo injured?
8 Feb 2006, 14:37 pm
Hi Grrr.. I’m a Lion. I just read that Jorrie Muller is 99kg!!!!!!
I remeber during the RWC2003 he was pretty solid. I noticed last year people were kmocking him. but this guy is a big chap.
Fourie is going to nail that De Wet Barry, the big burk. Barry has absolutely no flair, a typical dime a dozen straight safrican N12 runner, who tackles well. This Lion backline could be a bok backline back:
15.Monty/Gaffie
14.Willemse
13.Fourie/Jorrie
12.Jorrie/Julies
11.Habana
10.Pretoors
other
15.Fourie
14.Willemse
13.Joubert
12.JDV
11.Habana
10.Bosman
Average weight of these backlines over 90 kg. FOR RWC2007 weiht will be a factor.
8 Feb 2006, 14:45 pm
White should create a list of the top flyhalves in the country:
Butch
Pretoors
Bosman
De Waal
Jaco
2nd tier
Hougaard
Nel Fourie
Kerkie Kruger
They then should be split among the S14 franchises. Otherwise there’s going to be mismatches
8 Feb 2006, 15:00 pm
Keep an eye on Baywatch.
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