Cheetahs clinch courageous comeback win

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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  • 1.ufo: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 06:04 am

    C’mon Cheethas…

    Go one better than last weekend…

  • 2.Captain Sam Vimes: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 06:26 am

    C’mon Cheetahs lets get some……………..!!

  • 3.Captain Sam Vimes: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 06:29 am

    Cheese and Rice these early morning kick offs are harsh…………still could be worse. This game is a really big ask for Bloem bashers, lets go out there and get the hurting going ((Fark Bauden Barrett…………yipe yipe yipe))

  • 4.Captain Sam Vimes: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 06:32 am

    eggs over easy on the advantage line, c’mon dudes need to be more dominant in the tackle.

  • 5.Captain Sam Vimes: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 06:33 am

    Bleh try Canes……………..Corey Jane best form of his life at the moment.

  • 6.ufo: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 06:34 am

    Roy… Or someone…

    Seems this thread is on Mobi but not on Web…?

  • 7.Captain Sam Vimes: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 06:35 am

    The goose………is pretty spruce!

  • 8.Captain Sam Vimes: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 06:37 am

    Sigh…………score points and concede straight from the kick off cause Barrett never kicks his goals…………….bleh

  • 9.ufo: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 06:40 am

    Try…!!

  • 10.Captain Sam Vimes: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 06:40 am

    Try Andries you beauty………….please downward pressure …………please

  • 11.Captain Sam Vimes: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 06:42 am

    Yes, one on the board for the bloem bashers!!

  • 12.Captain Sam Vimes: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 06:42 am

    This goose ……………..not that spruce ;-)

  • 13.Captain Sam Vimes: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 06:45 am

    arrrrggghhh why didn’t you just kick for touch………………c’mon dudes lets have a bit of territory for the love of the druids

  • 14.Captain Sam Vimes: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 06:48 am

    wha wha whooooooooww……………………Barrett…………..”YIPE YIPE YIPE……………” cover defense is not so good senhor……….

  • 15.ufo: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 06:51 am

    Aww heck… Going pears for cheetahs…

  • 16.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 06:51 am

    Goosen has a LONG way to go before he pulls on a bok jersey.

    The Cheaters must be the most frustrating team in the world to support.

  • 17.Captain Sam Vimes: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 06:54 am

    keep the Faith………………lotsa time left in this here game…….just need to stick one in the inzone and getting enough go forward on attack for that just need to cut out stupid mistakes

  • 18.Captain Sam Vimes: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 06:55 am

    Lets have a look at the scums………….

  • 19.Captain Sam Vimes: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 06:57 am

    Oi Ref please have a look for the early engage by the canes “ta my son.

  • 20.Captain Sam Vimes: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 07:00 am

    ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Fleck!!!

  • 21.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 07:01 am

    Who is this captain blabbermouth.

    Too early to be chattering so.

  • 22.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 07:01 am

    Boom.

    Doedpoes.

  • 23.Captain Sam Vimes: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 07:02 am

    Fleck that………………….really good counter attacking by Canes

  • 24.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 07:04 am

    Getting ready to visit the lovely tara?

  • 25.Captain Sam Vimes: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 07:04 am

    @Dawn(Dawn)-21: Sorry Dawn will tone it down ……………..this is getting nasty…..scoreboard starting to look like hiding is on the cards.

  • 26.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 07:05 am

    Game over.

  • 27.Captain Sam Vimes: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 07:07 am

    Try for the bloem bashers……….may just be a twist

  • 28.Captain Sam Vimes: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 07:09 am

    Yes c’mon dammit!!!!! c’mon!!!

  • 29.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 07:10 am

    Or not?
    :lol:

  • 30.ufo: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 07:10 am

    Cheetahs turning those pears into pear cider perhaps…?

    Go guy…!!!

  • 31.Captain Sam Vimes: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 07:13 am

    YEASSZSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS PLEAAAAAASSSEEEEE BBBBBBAAAAABBYYY

  • 32.ufo: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 07:13 am

    ‘s

    Bonus point try on the siren…!!!

  • 33.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 07:14 am

    Yes

    Tara is scheduled for after Sharks game!

  • 34.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 07:16 am

    All square

  • 35.Captain Sam Vimes: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 07:16 am

    Flecken nerve jangler of note!!

  • 36.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 07:16 am

    JeepersCreepers

    I thought this was a sevens game.

    Well played to the Cheetahs, 21 unanswered points to come back.

    Beautiful.

    Keep it up lads.

    You too DoodpoesCoenie

  • 37.XhosaKid: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 07:17 am

    This must be the game of the season so far, the Cheetah’s are top stuff, Go Cheetahs!!!!!!!!!!!!, Goosen is pure class!!!

  • 38.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 07:19 am

    Who is this doodpoes

    Why such an ugly name

  • 39.XhosaKid: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 07:19 am

    @the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-26: It would have been game over if it was the 2011 Black Label Cup champions ( Lions), Go Cheetahs!!!!, Go manne!!!!

  • 40.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 07:20 am

    I love Cane like a brother but hope cheetahs pull this off

  • 41.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 07:25 am

    did you see the goose step from Doedpoes??!!! Whoa!

    Lovely stuff cheetahs, keep going just cut out the turnovers & you’ve got this game sealed!!!

  • 42.Captain Sam Vimes: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 07:26 am

    are you ready Mr.Vimes

    “yes ready for another forty minutes of torture by my bloem bashers with a side order of last minute thriller please”

  • 43.XhosaKid: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 07:26 am

    An 8thman pinged for an engage?????

  • 44.Hondo: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 07:26 am

    It looks like a basketball game, both sides don’t defend, faking tackles and score tries

  • 45.Captain Sam Vimes: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 07:27 am

    ASHLEY “BOK” JOHNSON lets go baby!!!

  • 46.ufo: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 07:28 am

    c’mon guys.. hang onto the ball in the tackle…

  • 47.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 07:29 am

    Jinne hondo you yard of wet tripe.

    Who is doodpoes

  • 48.ufo: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 07:30 am

    Capt’n Sam having a great game…!! :wink:

    Here’s hoping your guys do it today…!!

    :lol:

  • 49.Captain Sam Vimes: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 07:30 am

    call for the scrum Adriaan keep making them tackle……………..

  • 50.Captain Sam Vimes: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 07:32 am

    @ufo(ufo)-48: cheers Mate thanks………………..lipitor medication customary when you support the Bloem Bashers. I hope we walk away from this one winners.

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