Blues down Cheetahs

Blues down Cheetahs

2 Apr 2011

GARETH DUNCAN reports on the Blues’ 29-22 bonus-point win over the Cheetahs in Whangarei.

The scoreline flatters the Cheetahs, who delivered a poor overall performance with an under-strength team. Three late scores from scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius and prop Coenie Oosthuizen, which was gifted by a poor late defensive effort from the Blues, reduced what should’ve been big defeat to a seven-point loss.

With the likes of Juan Smith, Heinrich Brussow and Andries Strauss sidelined with injury, the Cheetahs were short of the physicality needed to produce an upset. There heavies were dominated by a mobile and stronger Blues pack while their backline was penetrated regularly by the hosts’ speedsters. They did well to expose the Blues’ wayward defence in the closing stages, but by then it was a little too late.

It was a disappointing finish for the Blues who held the ascendancy all around the park for 65 minutes of the game. They were rampant on attack and creating plenty of chances to cross the chalk, but poor handling a decision making saw the home team fall short of the whitewash on numerous occasions, especially in the first half.

It was a frustrating start for the home team as they created two try-scoring opportunities in the opening 12 minutes, but they lacked the composure to finish them. Defensively, the Blues started the game strong before becoming frail at the death. They restricted the Cheetahs offence who lost possession too easily and these turnovers set the platform for the Blues’ opening scores.

The Cheetahs failed to gather scrumhalf Alby Mathewson’s box kick to the halfway line and the Blues latched on to the ball first. After two phases, flyhalf Stephen Brett charged from the midfield and his offload put wing Joe Rokocoko through for the first try. Centre Luke McAlister added the extras.

The Cheetahs crossed the chalk moments later via Wilmaure Louw, but referee Bryce Lawrence disallowed the try as he brought play back for an earlier foul from the winger. The Blues then punished the Cheetahs’ poor ball retention from a counter attack from their own half which saw Brett dive over for a 14-0 lead. Flyhalf Sias Ebersohn kicked the Cheetahs’ only points of the first half with a penalty for the last action before the break.

McAlister’s penalty and No 8 Peter Saili’s try in the third quarter seemed like the defining scores as the Cheetahs fell 24-3 behind with 15 minutes to go, but the latter responded with a great fightback.

Pretorius crashed over twice from close range before Blues fullback Isaia Toeava darted down the touchline for the four-try bonus point. Oosthuizen powered through under the posts to create some late pressure but the Blues managed to hold on for the victory.

Follow Gareth on Twitter

Follow SA Rugby mag on Twitter


125 Comments

Pages: « 1 2 [3] Show All

  • 101.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    2 Apr 2011, 08:27 am

    @Transformation(Transformation)-99:

    thanks Transie

    what does ‘Transformation’ mean ?

  • 102.ET.: Reply to this comment
    2 Apr 2011, 08:27 am

    @poppa69(poppa69)-97:

    As you said, your Blues need to play as a team to convert domination into points.

  • 103.JL1: Reply to this comment
    2 Apr 2011, 08:27 am

    @Black Panther(Black Panther)-81: Seems that your immature inner self is getting the better of you, try and control it

    Nice name calling, kid

  • 104.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    2 Apr 2011, 08:28 am

    Poppa. Mamparra is pure SA copyright. You need permission to use it.

  • 105.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    2 Apr 2011, 08:29 am

    @JL1(JL1)-103:

    Im still here, waiting.

    or arent you man enough ?

  • 106.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    2 Apr 2011, 08:30 am

    @Black Panther(Black Panther)-101:

    Transformation = cut and paste :wink:

  • 107.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    2 Apr 2011, 08:30 am

    @JL1(JL1)-103:

    I would have thought asking for something – TWICE – was FOOLish enough

    but THREE times ?

  • 108.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    2 Apr 2011, 08:31 am

    @Black Panther(Black Panther)-101: that’s english mate and i’m sure u’re quite adept & elizabeth’s language… ;)

  • 109.ET.: Reply to this comment
    2 Apr 2011, 08:31 am

    @poppa69(poppa69)-106:

    That’s correct, but remeber ignore the Tooth Fairy as I hit the sack.

  • 110.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    2 Apr 2011, 08:32 am

    @Dawn(Dawn)-104:

    OK, from the experts pls

    1. mampara

    2. vot katvis (or whatever it is)

  • 111.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    2 Apr 2011, 08:33 am

    @Transformation(Transformation)-108:

    it was your gift-wrapped chance at a bit of humanising humour, Transie.

    slippery ball huh

  • 112.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    2 Apr 2011, 08:33 am

    @Dawn(Dawn)-104:

    toestemming? wat sal ek vra Dawn?
    beteken dat alle Afrikaans? of net sekere woorde?…

  • 113.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    2 Apr 2011, 08:33 am

    @poppa69(poppa69)-106: lol :mrgreen:

    what does ‘poppa69′ mean, nervous breakdown? ;)

  • 114.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    2 Apr 2011, 08:37 am

    @Black Panther(Black Panther)-111: still a bit groggy from last night’s revelries to be humorous BP…will get better though.

  • 115.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    2 Apr 2011, 08:37 am

    @Transformation(Transformation)-113:

    not at all trans, its the liberal translation of how many times Jannie got elevated against the Saders..

    he was Popped 69 times in the turbo reverse almanac :mrgreen:

  • 116.Treehugger: Reply to this comment
    2 Apr 2011, 08:38 am

    Poppa, so calling a forward pass is insulting NZ suddenly, show me where i have ever insulted any NZander or NZ. Very weak.

  • 117.JL1: Reply to this comment
    2 Apr 2011, 08:40 am

    To all and sundry

    Let it be known that Black Panther cannot, is not willing to apologise directly to someone that he falsely accused

    Regards
    JL1

  • 118.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    2 Apr 2011, 08:40 am

    @Treehugger(Treehugger)-116:

    cut out the fwd-passes (these arent ‘line-balls’) !

    cut out the crooked scrum-feeds !

    enforce the offside line !

    penalise the man-in-front of the kicker !

    and I’ll be very happy indeed.

  • 119.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    2 Apr 2011, 08:42 am

    @Treehugger(Treehugger)-116: where did I say that it was insulting NZ?

    all I said was it wasnt a forward pass, as subsequent camera angles showed…

    funny how so many Saffas can see a forward pass when a NZ team is playing, yet they all mysteriously missed the one in the 07 quarter final… strange…

  • 120.JL1: Reply to this comment
    2 Apr 2011, 08:42 am

    Outta here

  • 121.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    2 Apr 2011, 08:44 am

    @JL1(JL1)-117:

    I’ll take my apology with an extra dollop of sincerity, thanks all the same. On your knees.

    waiting, FOOL.

  • 122.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    2 Apr 2011, 08:44 am

    @JL1(JL1)-120:

    Fool

    AND

    a

    Coward

    too.

    No surprises there.

  • 123.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    2 Apr 2011, 08:49 am

    @poppa69(poppa69)-115: :-) lol @ TR almanack

  • 124.FawltyRich: Reply to this comment
    2 Apr 2011, 12:32 pm

    The ICEMAN’s last try was not grounded? So Cheetahs were kinda cheated…

  • 125.whatever: Reply to this comment
    2 Apr 2011, 23:28 pm

    How good is young Sarel? The dude has to be included in the WC on form so far. But, my guess is the hellium clown will still go with the fat man!

Pages: « 1 2 [3] Show All

Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

Have your say

You must be logged in to post a comment.