Rassie keeps rotating
3 Apr 2006
Cheetahs coach Rassie Erasmus will make several changes to the starting XV that lost to the Waratahs for their Vodacom Super 14 match against the Brumbies on Saturday.
Erasmus made six changes and one positional switch for Sydney and plans to make a similar number for the Canberra clash.
“I want to make full use of all the players we have on tour,” Erasmus told keo.co.za. “We will sit down and decide on the team on Tuesday evening. The Super 14 is such a long competition that you have to rotate players to keep them fresh. Rotation becomes even more important on a four-match overseas tour.”
The Cheetahs are in a respectable sixth position on the log despite their loss to the Waratahs and face a Brumbies side coming off a bye – something that could help the Bloemfontein side.
“People have different views on whether the bye is an advantage or not,” said Erasmus. “Sometimes teams lose momentum when they get the week off, but others come back stronger after the rest. The Brumbies are a great side and we know we’ll have to play very well to beat them.”
In 1997, when the Free State Cheetahs played their only season of Super 12 rugby, they were smashed 50-23 by the Brumbies in Canberra, but Erasmus’s class of 2006 is undoubtably a stronger outfit than their predecessors.
“History counts for nothing on the day,” said Erasmus. “It was very disappointing to lose to the Waratahs, although the guys played with real guts, and we want to put things right. If we’re honest with ourselves we’re just not at their level yet, especially when we play them in Sydney.
“But we didn’t help ourselves either. You can’t afford to play against a quality team with 14 men for 10 minutes [winger Sinethemba Zweni was yellow carded in the 20th minute] and leave a guy like Wendell Sailor unmarked.
“We also had a couple of try-scoring chances early in the game that we should have taken. I’m not saying we would have won the game if we’d scored then, but it could have changed things. One thing I will emphasise to the guys this week, is that if we get ourselves into a try-scoring situation we must make full use of it. That’s the only way you win Super 14 games.”
Unlike the Bulls and Stormers who have a great overseas schedule, the Cheetahs play three potential semi-finalists on tour – the Waratahs, Brumbies and Crusaders. Only their last fixture against the Chiefs on 21 April is one they can realistically expect to win.
“We’re just taking it a game at a time,” said Erasmus. “We try to win every game we play, even if it’s against the best team in the competition.”
By Simon Borchardt
18 Comments
3 Apr 2006, 06:15 am
Surely they stand a chance this weekend! I like Rassie’s attitute too, try and win every game, it is not a holiday.
Also thought Zweni’s yellow was harsh but sure it did not change the outcome on little bit.
3 Apr 2006, 06:48 am
There is no way they are going to beat the Brumbies in Canberra. This will be their second of four consecutive away losses. The only decent team they have beaten so far is the Hurricanes at home. They aren’t a bad team but not championship material. By the time they meet the Chiefs they will be beaten up.
3 Apr 2006, 07:23 am
“I want to make full use of all the players we have on tour,” Erasmus told keo.co.za.
Rassie does this include “switching out” front rows during the second half when they are “injured”
Jake White is missing a huge advantage here. He should employ the Cheetahs medical crew for the boks. Man those guys work miracles during the week to have the injured front rows ready for their next matches, in less than a week. Man those guys are an excellent medical team
3 Apr 2006, 07:38 am
yes, bb, you guys must envy the medical expertise you normally get in bloem.
3 Apr 2006, 07:42 am
Pity they don’t have anything for ‘sour grapes syndrome’!
3 Apr 2006, 07:43 am
Rassie just uses his brain.
3 Apr 2006, 07:49 am
yip, there is a few bulls supporters who would love to see the cheetahs get walloped each week; they haven’t learned anything.
they are a well coached side that won’t have runaway margins in their victories, but neither will they lose by huge margins. it’s all about the team and not the individuals.
3 Apr 2006, 08:03 am
26-3 isn’t a big margin? That’s a beating in my book.
3 Apr 2006, 08:08 am
bokusa, did you forget to take your happy pills this morning? Keep away from sharp objects…
3 Apr 2006, 08:11 am
GCC
When we played them it wasn’t in Bloem and they still “switched” front rows.
Before you all want to bliksem me. That comment (#3) was tongue in cheek
3 Apr 2006, 08:25 am
Just calling it as I see it. I really admire the team spirit that the Cheetahs show. I just don’t think that they are in the top tier of the tournament. Maybe I’m cranky because the SA teams keep dishing up **** quality every weekend. I’m still waiting for an eighty minute performance of complete rugby by one of the teams. Actually it’s 11.25pm in Los Angeles so maybe I should hit the sack!
3 Apr 2006, 08:36 am
Rassie still the snake – a few wins will place all SA teams in a better position – in the past it has alway been just one SA teams doing well – this year there is a few so it helps the other sides. Another week or two and we will know if any SA side can make the top 4 but all have to pull finger!!
3 Apr 2006, 09:07 am
bokusa
maybe it’s a good idea that you get some sleep. off course the 26-3 is a big margin. with 69 minutes on the clock, the score was still 12-3. poor tackling and an intercept try blew the score out. they weren’t running holes through the cheetahs as the score might suggest.
3 Apr 2006, 10:11 am
Cheetahs outshine their natural comparators, the Force, a fact conveniently over looked by the other RSA franchises.
Amazing attitude & spirit in the Cheetahs that all the other franchises could do well to emulate.
Tactically, realistically & interactively the media relations that Rassie enjoys or engages in are refreshing and enterprising.
As a Cats supporter, I am amazed at the rubbish spouted by the Cats, Bulls, Stormers and even the Sharks coaches.
The Cheetahs may be enjoying a honeymoon period as far as RSA supporters are concerned, but Rassie deserves credit for his overall approach.
3 Apr 2006, 11:07 am
cheetahs got caned, its a very limited side, but does have a good pack and a canny coach.
3 Apr 2006, 21:43 pm
Cheetahs could have won that one, had they had 15 men & got the early denied score
3 Apr 2006, 22:02 pm
They will probably lose. There said it.
The thing is though, that Rassie is too smart and the Cheetahs have been truly blessed. If you are going to lose against the big boys, then lose on the road when you really have no chance.
At least at home, they can beat anyone of the others. Keep the players fresh and let the semis be decided at the end of the 14 weeks, not now.
No-one expects the Cheetahs to win the whole bangshoot, which was clearly evident this past weekend. The difference is though, that they will do as well as they can, which is great, especially as new side.
Let Rassie build his team for the next few years, just like Heynecke did. Players will want to play for Free State knowing that they have a smart coach and a winning system. The players will come and thus the results.
3 Apr 2006, 22:09 pm
Rassie to be the next Bok coach, after Jake wins RWC 2007.
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