Naka wants intense defence
17 Jan 2012
Naka Drotske says that while the Cheetahs boast a potent attack, they will have to be more competent on defence if they hope to finish the 2012 competition in the top six.
The Cheetahs were the best attacking side in the South African conference last season in terms of tries scored. With a tally of 44 over the course of 16 games, they were also the fourth most prolific try-scoring side overall behind the Waratahs (48), Crusaders (46) and Reds (45).
Unfortunately their overly attacking mindset did compromise other areas of their game. They conceded the second most tries (49) during the league stage, a poor record that was second only to the Melbourne Rebels, Super Rugby’s hapless newcomers. They may have recorded some memorable victories but their style of play was too inconsistent, and somewhat predictably they finished 11th on the overall log.
Drotske is determined to better this record and see the central franchise finish in the top six this season. The Cheetahs coach believes that an improvement on defence will allow his charges to reach their ambitious goal. For the Cheetahs to realise that ambition, they would have to record their best finish in the tournament’s history.
‘The Cheetahs’ expansive approach always sees us do well on on attack, but we really struggled with defence last season,’ Drotske said. ‘Our focus heading into the new campaign is to place the same intensity on both.
‘We conceded more tries than we scored, and we can’t expect to win if that happens. Our goal is to finish in the top six, and if we play to our potential, we can do it. In 2011, we lost seven of our first eight games. We have to start much better.’
A balanced approach has eluded the Cheetahs for some time, and what will make their task even more difficult is the loss of key players. Attacking virtuoso Sarel Pretorius will represent the Waratahs this year, while Riaan Viljoen, a crucial part of their kicking game, is at the Sharks.
What will help their cause is the fitness of Springbok flankers Juan Smith and Heinrich Brussow. Smith will miss the pre-season match against the Eastern Province Kings as well as the games against the Stormers and Lions at Newlands in the coming weeks, but the Cheetahs’ management is hopeful that the inspirational blindside will feature during the early stages of the Super Rugby tournament itself.
Having Smith in the mix would certainly bolster their forward defence, but the Cheetahs will also realise that midfield has been a big problem area over the years. If they don’t address these issues in the pre-season and establish a strong centre combination they may finish the season as also-rans once again.
By Jon Cardinelli
15 Comments
17 Jan 2012, 10:50 am
Hope Goosen lives up to expectation this season..
17 Jan 2012, 11:06 am
With guys like Brussouw and Smith in the team i am sure he will get that.
17 Jan 2012, 11:29 am
They need to get Nienaber back from the Stormers, isn’t he of Bloem decent?
17 Jan 2012, 12:02 pm
its a hard rain’s a-gonna fall…
17 Jan 2012, 12:13 pm
The challenge for the Cheetahs is whether they are able to adapt their game plan. This gives an indication of Naka’s ability.
17 Jan 2012, 12:21 pm
I for one am looking forward to watching the Cheetahs this year. THey were so nice to watch last year, very natural running rugy!! Just need to get their defense up to scratch and could be contenders!!
17 Jan 2012, 14:14 pm
pity they lost that awesome scrummie
17 Jan 2012, 14:16 pm
@grant10-7: Maybe the Aussies can teach him to tackle.
Still, it’s easier to teach someone how to grab another player than to install attacking instincts.
17 Jan 2012, 14:48 pm
@grant10-7: When a scrummie is better known for his running, rather than his passing game………….
17 Jan 2012, 15:25 pm
Sarel will return to play for the Cheetahs after this year’s S15, but I think his days are over. The Van Zyl kid showed in the CC he can play the same style as Sarel, but… he can tackle! The Van Zyl-Goosen combination is something I’m very excited about.
I were dissapointed with both Ebersohns in the CC.
Cheetahs’ weakness is still with the wings, fullback and locks. No quality depth.
17 Jan 2012, 15:26 pm
@pompies2-9: Reminds you of Hougaard, doesn’t it?
17 Jan 2012, 15:38 pm
@Bouts-11: Hougaard does have a slightly better pass and a m0erse better tackle as well. Sarel is no big loss. If he was, why was he only noticed at 28\29? All the best to him making his money in AUS.
18 Jan 2012, 02:04 am
I could not agree more. This is their biggest issue. They lost several games last year beucase of this. The one against the hurricanes was the worst. They were in the lead when sarel threw a pass to try and score. It was intercepted with no time on the clock. they lost when they should of just hung on to the ball as they already had the bonus point. I wounder how he will go in the wartahs seeing how they have one of the best defenses in the comp. they just need to know how to balance their brilliant attack with their poor decense. also does anyone know if smith will still be the capital this year?
18 Jan 2012, 07:26 am
Gosh i hate the cheetahs ! LOL ! they are really our bogey side , hoping my Saders can beat them this year ….. Have to say boys that Bloem is more boring than Hamilton anyday ( got to give the boys from the north a heads up ) he he !
18 Jan 2012, 07:36 am
@stew-14:
Maybe but I bet you Bloem has better looking girls…
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