Naka set to roll out second string
9 Mar 2008
Naka Drotske will rotate his squad when the Cheetahs face the table-topping Crusaders on Saturday.
The Cheetahs were hit by injury before embarking on their four-match Australasian tour, with captain Juan Smith, Jacques-Louis Potgieter and Gavin Passens left in Bloemfontein. The past weekend has also seen the central franchise record their fourth successive loss. In response, Drotske is looking to give a few key players a break.
“The Chiefs game has taken it’s toll on a few of the players,” he told keo.co.za. “They really targeted us at the breakdown and there are four or five players who need time to recover. Guys like Wian du Preez are nursing niggles and will only begin training on Wednesday.”
Drotske confirmed Meyer Bosman and Duanne Vermeulen, who’ve both been prominent on attack, are likely to sit out when the Cheetahs face the six-time champs.
“Meyer and Duanne have played every minute of every match so far and deserve a rest. There are a few others I’ll look to rest, and I explained to players before the tour that everyone would get a chance to play.”
Drotske told this website last week he was targeting two wins on tour. The Chiefs were a side he felt the Cheetahs could beat, but the Crusaders were always going to be a tough ask.
“We are not going to throw this match, but we need to give a few players a break. It’s a long competition and we’ve already lost a few players to injury already. It also wouldn’t be wise to push guys who are not 100%.”
The Cheetahs will continue their tour without centre Herkie Kruger, who returns to South Africa as a result of back injury that’s not responding to treatment. The good news is Kabamba Floors is over his neck injury and should play in Christchurch.
By Jon Cardinelli
31 Comments
9 Mar 2008, 23:21 pm
The Saders will probably do the same then too
9 Mar 2008, 23:28 pm
I don’t know. Sounds too much like capitulation to me. Esp not picking Vermeulen. I’m assuming resting means out of match 22? Able replacement in Floors but they gonna miss him.
9 Mar 2008, 23:32 pm
the Crusaders did not look too well against the Force. Was hoping cheatahs will take them on. Pitty Naka feels they wouldn’t win anyway. Cheetahs need a turning point match.
9 Mar 2008, 23:44 pm
The force are no longer the easy beats.They have pushed the saders many times before.
Thing is the saders didnt look good but still won.
When they hit there best no one can touch them,if they played consistently at there best what would that do for Super 14 rugby.
9 Mar 2008, 23:58 pm
when the sharks play at their best no- one can touch them either – or the bulls last year, no team can consistantly play at their best (ask the All Blacks). So much for your analagy.
Anyway I still feel the Cheetahs could give them a go with a full strength team.
10 Mar 2008, 00:17 am
Many times before, hurricane? How about just the 23-all draw 2 yrs ago. Last yr it was 53-0. But I get what you’re trying to say although I don’t neccessarily agree with it.
10 Mar 2008, 00:44 am
HELLO!!!! IS ANYBODY OUT THERE!!!!! HHEEELLLOOOOO!!!! CAN ANYBODY HEAR ME!!!!!
Vark! This place is a graveyard!
10 Mar 2008, 01:00 am
“rotation”
reconditioning anyone?
10 Mar 2008, 01:08 am
yeah both 2nd teams playing each other.
10 Mar 2008, 01:12 am
#6
They pushed the saders 2 times out of 3,not a bad record i must say,better than most.
#5
The bulls and the Sharks last year were in a tournament that were not at its best,we all know what i mean dont we.
You say no one can push the Sharks and the bulls when they are at there best,so the sharks have only played there best last year,cos they were easy beats not so long ago.Dont even try and put the Sharks in the same boat as the Saders,the Saders have been the best team,the only real team to beat in any of the super rugby tournaments.
10 Mar 2008, 01:17 am
Cane
the Force had plenty of opportunities to take that game.
The Sharks are on a very hard tour.
10 Mar 2008, 01:20 am
Guys I see Crusaders play Blues week 11 and Sharks week 12. Should be good games.
10 Mar 2008, 01:25 am
#11
Hey G13g
Yep the force were in it all the way,i really felt sorry for them,they played a better game i thought.
Sharks on the other hand are in for a hard tour as you say.Its gonna be great to see how they go really.I hope everyone draws there matches in the next 3 or 4 weeks except of course the Canes.I want to see the Canes at the top where they so deserve to be
10 Mar 2008, 01:28 am
Hi Coach
I am going to the Blues game vs Crusaders,i will be in the Hadlee stand,second floor eating dinner out on the balcony having free alcohol an 1 and a half before and after the match.Could get messy.
10 Mar 2008, 01:30 am
Hi Hurricane. Aaaah the luxury boxes. Should be good game. Free food and booze and good rugby sounds like Heaven.
10 Mar 2008, 01:32 am
You know the force/crusader game. Roos, (Ref) had a decent game after getting a lot of stick.
Allowed great advantage for the Forces 2 tries and called back one of theirs for forward pass.
10 Mar 2008, 01:33 am
#15
Plus the tickets were free,so even better.
10 Mar 2008, 01:37 am
#16
I am all for advantages,allow the game to flow on.I am with you coach.
You said the most hated 2 words circulating NZ rugby at the moment……Forward pass.
I promise we will never throw a forward pass again
10 Mar 2008, 01:40 am
Hey I like the flat pass,
Especially when someone is running onto the pass.
The blatant forward passes and where you can see the hands of the passer pointing forwards, it should be obvious.These need to be called back. I just like consistancy, and I know you guys do too.
10 Mar 2008, 01:42 am
Yep, Naka’s surrendered before the first gunshot.
10 Mar 2008, 01:42 am
I also believe strongly that, some suspect tries should be reviewed from futher back, and include forward passes, ovbstruction,etc, especially in key games (quarter finals WC)
10 Mar 2008, 01:45 am
I think if Naka changes his shirt from the Pastal purple striped one to something else they may win.
Hes’ worn the same shirt for all 4 games.
10 Mar 2008, 01:58 am
Hey Coach. I was too busy watching the rugby to notice Drotske’s dresscode but if you say so.
Think its a mistake to change the team that drasticaly. Bosman and Vermeulen most probably 2 of their influential players. Put them on the bench if you want to rest them but not out the 22 altogether. What do you think?
10 Mar 2008, 02:03 am
Believe me Bok, I see the finer details, (as in Naka’s shirt
) He has worn the same shirt at least 3or 4 times. I hope at least he washed it, but being an ex hooker I doubt it.
Yes Vermeulen is a future star , Bosman played his heart out , Jonker was good too.
I would have all 3 in 22.
And why the change of Flyhalves for Cheetahs 10 minutes to go?
10 Mar 2008, 02:09 am
That was a stupid decision! But there was no way for Drotske to know that that De Bruyn guy will have a shocker. He played well the previous wk albeit the game was well and truly won when he came on.
10 Mar 2008, 02:21 am
I think the Crusaders need to rest a couple of their forwards, where is Cambell Johnston? I believe he is a better tight head prop then Greg Sommerville.
10 Mar 2008, 02:46 am
coach , you think if naka changes his shirt the’ll win? i’d like nothing better than the cheetahs luck changing and soon!
10 Mar 2008, 02:46 am
Graham Henry once said Campbell had the best right shoulder in NZ.
Yes, he is sound..nothing more.
Best Crusaders pack IMO (All Blacks all of them)
8.Tuilivi
7.McCaw
6.Thorne
5.Williams
4.Thorn
3.Johnstone
2.Flynn
1.Somerville
10 Mar 2008, 02:57 am
Its worth a try Rugby only. Maybe he should wear a suit and tie
10 Mar 2008, 06:49 am
What a cop out from Naka… honestly you are saving these guys for what exactly? they already have zero chance of making the semis. I guess he is saving them for those epic games against the Reds and Highlanders. Cheetahs have become the Cats of old.
10 Mar 2008, 10:57 am
Moenie worry nie Steel Shark! Kom CC tyd dan sien jul weer op jul ma’s!
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