Duncan: Boland scare a blessing
20 Aug 2007
The Cheetahs’ shaky effort in Boland will serve as a timely wake-up call, says captain Rory Duncan.
Free State started well but allowed the Bolanders back into the game in the crucial periods before and after half-time. The hosts racked up 14 points and then took the lead thanks to the boot of Isma-eel Dollie. If not for a fantastic penalty goal by Willem de Waal, the Currie Cup favourites would have conceded their first defeat to a side that has only recently qualified for the Premier Division.
Many sides will state the positive in this kind of situation is that it prevents complacency in the subsequent games. Duncan admitted to Keo.co.za he was disappointed with the performance, but delighted with the result.
“The best kind of wake up call you can receive is when you don’t perform to your potential but still manage to win. The Lions game was a bit like that and the same thing happened in Boland.
“We knew they were going to be tough on their own ground, but I don’t think any player in our side is happy with the display on Saturday.”
The Cheetahs have no Currie Cup games this week, but will face the Pumas in a friendly in Witbank. Many of the regulars have been given a few days rest and Naka Drotske is likely to try a few new combinations against the Pumas and in next Friday’s clash against the Valke.
But after the Boland incident, Duncan confirmed the joint champs will be looking for a more polished showing.
“There is a lot to work on in the next two weeks and I don’t think there will be any complacency,” he said. “Everyone realises we still have a long way to go, not only going to get to a Currie Cup final, but to win it as well.”
Boland produced a spirited effort despite the turmoil experienced due to the Fidentia scandal. Duncan lauded the patent improvement of the Cape side who lost 91-3 in Week One against the Cheetahs.
“Their skills have improved and they are playing with a lot of heart. At 19-3 down, we should have buried them, but they did well to fight back.
“They played a very clever kicking game and made few mistakes. A lot of the tries scored in the 91-3 win were from turnover ball when they made errors, and so they’ve done well to cut those out.”
By Jon Cardinelli
20 Comments
20 Aug 2007, 13:52 pm
Ja dit sou lekker gewees het as hulle vasgeval het.
20 Aug 2007, 14:17 pm
I can’t understand why wp are not using the services of dollie. i know he is contracted to wp and is on loan(i think) to boland. he is way better than naas olivier. wp could have him at 10 with grant at 12 or whichever.
20 Aug 2007, 14:27 pm
Martin,
When last did you understand anything WP is doing?
20 Aug 2007, 14:29 pm
Martin, this is WP we are talking about. Didn’t their chairman rubbish reports that WP are bankrupt by saying that it is impossible because WP is the richest union in the world?
20 Aug 2007, 14:30 pm
20 Aug 2007, 14:36 pm
How would you guys rate this game:
1. Crown starting to slip
2. Lack of depth exposed in FS team
3. Just a hick-up
20 Aug 2007, 14:38 pm
A win is a win – especially in that cabbage patch that passed as a paddock!
20 Aug 2007, 14:41 pm
Kwagga, I would have to say no 3. Cheetahs need to lose a game or 2 this season to make the race a bit more interesting
20 Aug 2007, 14:42 pm
Ek dink die manne mis ou Phillip…
Ek moet se, daai veld het gelyk soos n Srpings ten pin bowling baan… Vol gate!!!
20 Aug 2007, 14:47 pm
#8 If they pick up a couple more niggles like the bulls have they will have problems.
#9 Dink hy is nog ge-rattle nadat Hottie amper sy cross-member uitgeruk het.
20 Aug 2007, 14:48 pm
Lion4ever congrats on your team!
20 Aug 2007, 14:52 pm
Correct me if I’m wrong, but my understanding is that once a player has played a CC game for a province, he is not allowed to play for another province in the same season.
So WP can only revisit the option of selecting Dollie next season.
20 Aug 2007, 15:00 pm
Just a hick up, and if I can say they picked the right side to do it against….no offence.
Even the Crusaders nearly lost to the Force on their way to the championship last year. They actually lost to the Stormers as well if I remember correctly.
20 Aug 2007, 15:15 pm
I’m under no illusion that we need a lot of work (and some luck), but if Boland can learn to not spill the ball in contact situations…
I’m quite excited about the backline we have now, except the centres maybe. They’re solid, but speed is lacking in the centre; no gamebreakers there. We just need a few phases – that damn knock-ons…
20 Aug 2007, 15:56 pm
Manne, Oom Boy Louw het altyd gese gese na ‘n game : Look at the scoreboard !
‘n Wen is ‘n wen as die een span net een punt meer as die ander span op die telbord het !
Geen rede tot kommer nie, ons is so ver voor op die log, dit lyk of die ander spanne agter is !
20 Aug 2007, 15:57 pm
O, sorry, hulle is agter, ver agter !!
20 Aug 2007, 16:37 pm
The near loss was a real blessing in disguise. Cheetahs looked very poor this weekend, and i hate to say it – but they looked a touch arrogant.
Granted it was a new team – but no excuses. They will have to do better.
I think they will grow over the next two weeks with relatively easy games, and then be ready to take the title…
20 Aug 2007, 18:01 pm
I am an avid Cheetah fan, but when I saw the composure and the manner in which the Cheetahs were warming up, and then joking with each other, Ollie even having time to ruffle somebodys hair who was having an interview being done…. I knew that these boys had not taken this game seriously and in turn almost paid for their approach…. ALL GAMES are important, and above all, ALL GAMES can be lost….
I hope they learned a good lesson!
20 Aug 2007, 21:55 pm
I think that given that De Vaal is headed North after the CC, Isma-Eel Dollie (aka Donut) should move to Bloem and play his professional rugger there. That are looking for a replacement and his play matched their style.
21 Aug 2007, 08:06 am
Looks like too much time was spent at the wine farms:). I have a strange feeling the Lions are going to come right and beat Free State in the final…. I wish
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