Cheetahs stay true to game plan
21 Jul 2006
Free State pivot Willem de Waal confirmed on Friday that the Absa Currie Cup champions have no intention of changing their tactics.
The Vodacom Cheetahs were criticised after last week’s 20-13 loss in Cape Town for being too conservative in their backline. But there will be no compensating for that against the Pumas in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
“When it started raining at Newlands last week, we tried to play the conservative game,” De Waal told keo.co.za. “But it was always going to be hard after being 14-0 down. Playing catch-up is never easy.
“Against the Pumas, we will be sticking to the same game plan that we have used the whole season.”
Coach Rassie Erasmus has stated previously that it was important for his team to get their structures right early on, and then build from there. It worked in the first three matches with the Cheetahs amassing over 150 points, and one loss is not going to facilitate any rash changes.
“We are going to look to control the ball and focus on the things that we do well,” explained De Waal. “If we can get enough ball in their half, we will have a go.”
A number of first choice players have been rested for this encounter which gives Erasmus and his coaching staff a chance to see what they have in reserve.
“It’s a great opportunity to let a few of the other guys show their worth. It’s good to see a guy like Quinton Davids getting his first start, while guys like Barend (Pieterse) can have a well-earned rest.”
The Sharks were rattled last week in their loss to Griquas, after Dick Muir persisted on playing his second-stringers against one of the ‘lesser’ sides of the competition. De Waal believes that there is enough of the old guard around to ensure they don’t suffer a similar fate at the hands of the Pumas.
“I don’t think that we will lose any momentum by giving these guys a chance,” De Waal said. “We still have enough senior players in the team who know the game plan, and we should bounce back against the Pumas.”
By Jon Cardinelli
21 Comments
21 Jul 2006, 15:04 pm
this thread promisies to be riveting.
21 Jul 2006, 15:08 pm
Pumas !! go get them
21 Jul 2006, 15:08 pm
Just remember that… Willem backs Quinton!
21 Jul 2006, 15:09 pm
it has rivets all over it!!
21 Jul 2006, 15:10 pm
QD to last a full 40 min…….
21 Jul 2006, 15:11 pm
Bulls Veterans XV (aka Pumas) to have NO chance vs QD & die manne!
21 Jul 2006, 15:14 pm
Rassie know’s his rugby , he’s going to become an outstanding coach in years to come.
21 Jul 2006, 15:31 pm
Sheesh, these threads are deader than QD’s chances of outsprinting Giscard down the wing to score the first of his hattrick of tries for the Cheetahs tonite……
21 Jul 2006, 15:31 pm
a Puma never changes it’s spots… go Pumas!
21 Jul 2006, 15:32 pm
JUSM, you must be the 1st Puma supporter I’ve ever heard of! Are u Casper Steyn?
21 Jul 2006, 15:32 pm
these threads are dead as heaven on a saturday night
21 Jul 2006, 15:37 pm
deader than the chances of Bolla planting one on De Wet – oh wait, he’s done that!
21 Jul 2006, 15:44 pm
Bolla also got through an unacceptable amount of “encouraging” bum patting last Saturday.
21 Jul 2006, 15:46 pm
Everybody leaving early today. Enjoy the weekend and rugby guys , don’t forget about the cold aswell.
Talk tomorrow morning
21 Jul 2006, 15:48 pm
Yip Stan & co are currently on their 12th bottle of brandewyn outside Loftus…. Tailgating. Not even Loftus security will let THEM in.
21 Jul 2006, 15:51 pm
Quinny, Stan is Loftus Security. Making quite a career for himself as a turnstile attendant on the Lynwood Road end.
21 Jul 2006, 15:54 pm
lol
Just shows the “respect” his boss & colleagues have for him!
21 Jul 2006, 15:57 pm
Absolutely kills him every week to have to let black okes with tickets through.
21 Jul 2006, 16:02 pm
Imagine if they let him in – Stan the security guard would probably arrested by his colleagues for stalking Steve Mofmeyer!
21 Jul 2006, 18:30 pm
Prooooooooovvviiiiiiince!
21 Jul 2006, 18:56 pm
Quinny,
Is Steve Mofmeyer related to Mof Myburgh???
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