Cheetahs clinch courageous comeback win
31 Mar 2012
GARETH DUNCAN watched the Cheetahs overcome a 32-11 deficit in the first half to down the Hurricanes 47-38 in Wellington.
It’s unlikely that you’ll see a similar attacking spectacle like the one displayed in this clash again this season. Ten tries were scored between the two teams, with the Cheetahs claiming six of them to secure a famous comeback triumph. They trailed by 21 points midway through the opening 40, but a strong finish to the first stanza saw them draw level at 32-32 at half-time. Tries from WP Nel and Coenie Oosthuizen, and Johan Goosen’s conversion and penalty was enough to seal the win as the Hurricanes could only add two Beauden Barrett penalties.
It was the Bloemfontein franchise’s fourth overseas victory in their Super Rugby history – a result that will be spoken about for years to come as it confirmed their most successful tour to Australasia.
The Cheetahs’ expansive approach laid the platform for this win. While poor ball retention and a weak cover defence cost them dearly in the first quarter, they managed to build strong momentum before the break and held on to that ascendancy in the second half.
The Hurricanes played most of the match in their own territory and were starved of quality possession, which were two key factors in their eventual downfall. Head coach Mark Hammett will lament this defeat considering his side’s wonderful start to the match.
While the Cheetahs’ smart interplay between forwards and backs saw them break easily into the Hurricanes’ half, the hosts forced several early turnovers and their continuity on the counterattack helped them score four tries in 30 minutes. After Dane Coles powered through from the kick-off, Beauden Barrett, Andre Taylor and TJ Perenara crossed the chalk as they capitalised on the visitors’ poor cover defence.
The introduction of Ashley Johnson off the bench shortly after the flurry of tries proved to be a crucial early substitution as he made a massive impact on attack and defence. Andries Strauss scored the Cheetahs’ only try in the first quarter, but Hennie Daniller, Ryno Benjamin and Oosthuizen all dotted down in a 10-minute period to level the scores at the break.
The game then tightened up in the second half. This benefitted the Cheetahs, who bossed possession and conceded less turnovers. The Hurricanes struggled in reply and the contest was over when Oosthuizen completed his brace in the final quarter.
220 Comments
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31 Mar 2012, 09:21 am
Cheetahs you blew the Hurricanes and the non-believers out of the water….
31 Mar 2012, 09:44 am
I couldn’t be happier to lose a Superbru point.
Well played guys,
The most entertaining game in ages.
31 Mar 2012, 10:00 am
So the orange scum needed the help of a ref to beat a kiwi team overseas. Having said that I must admit that Coonie fellow does things for me, I had to change my jocks after he scored his second try the excitement was just to much!
31 Mar 2012, 10:10 am
&203 You are scum, having a Kiwi cheating ref cheat them out of their first win on the tour, yes it is true go look at the cheating Kiwi ref officiating the scrum against the Brumbies
Go Cheetahs, show the sheepsh@ggers how to play
31 Mar 2012, 10:13 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-202:
hey bud…
how’s that diy doing…?
31 Mar 2012, 10:29 am
Hope its not the final year for the cheetahs. They could have won the brumbies game and came close against the crusaders. They had an amazing tour. The end of the tournament is still way off though. Entertaining lionhearted stuff boys . Good job
31 Mar 2012, 11:04 am
Congratulations to the Cheetahs fans. Slantibartfast, etc
Best Team won, no question.
31 Mar 2012, 11:08 am
@cane(cane)-207:
Thanks Cane and toughies for your team, at 32 to just about nothing I was wondering if I should not mow the lawn or something. Luckily I stayed and watched the rest.
Pity also about the wrong call on the last try although it probably would not have changed the final outcome. Why in the world did he not check upstairs quickly?
31 Mar 2012, 11:13 am
@Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-208:
I only heard the last 15-20 minutes on the radio Slarti.
The local Radio Commentators were full of praise for the Cheats.
Disappointing for us, but hey, that’s life.
31 Mar 2012, 11:24 am
@groen(groen)-206: Don’t worry, the Kings have promised that they stand a chance of winning the Super XV! In all seriouness, they have stated that. I would love the five unions to pull out and leave SARU looking like the biggest mugs in sporting history.
31 Mar 2012, 11:24 am
@cane(cane)-209:
Poor tackling and dropping of tackles all over the place Cane, Cheetahs just had a little more possession and stronger forwards which got them across the line.
Yeah, i have had years of seeing them go home 4/0 so this is a nice change.
31 Mar 2012, 11:30 am
@ufo(ufo)-205: hey matey.
One room done, Walls and ceiling.
Next one to go.
You getting hyped up for later?
:0
31 Mar 2012, 11:44 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-212:
sheesh… that’s lots work bud…
actually quite calm about this afternoon…
but of course that may ( read – will) change when we get to newlands…
of course i’d love us to win… and will be doing my bit in the stands…
but really just hope its a great game… won by the better team on the day with no controversy…
31 Mar 2012, 11:50 am
@ufo(ufo)-213: Ja, that and we win.
I’m going to be quite uncomfortable to live with for the next couple of days if we lose.
31 Mar 2012, 12:00 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-214:
hehehe…
think we have the team to do it… they just need to do it…
easy…!
31 Mar 2012, 12:06 pm
Well done Cheetahs!!!!!! you have COJONES!!!!!
31 Mar 2012, 12:25 pm
What a fantastic win, well done cheetahs!
31 Mar 2012, 13:49 pm
After today it’s obvious why the Cheetahs are everybody’s second team.These ouens back themselves in any situation against anyone and they do it in fine style too! Haak Vrystaaat!
31 Mar 2012, 15:03 pm
Well done Cheetahs, good win!
31 Mar 2012, 15:46 pm
flippit !
doodpoes coenie was in a rampant mood this morning…sjoe!
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