Landers spoil Cheetahs’ party
28 Apr 2012
GARETH DUNCAN watched the Cheetahs relinquish a 30-9 second-half lead in a 36-33 defeat to the Highlanders in Bloemfontein.
This match will be remembered as one of the most unlikely comeback wins in Super Rugby history. The Cheetahs have only themselves to blame after a shocking defensive performance during the final quarter. To concede 27 points during the closing stages of a game is embarrassing, especially after all the hard work done earlier on.
The Cheetahs held an all-round ascendancy against the ill-disciplined Otago team, and rightfully led 23-9 at the break and 30-9 shortly after the half-time restart. However, the Highlanders capitalised on the Cheetahs’ poor defensive showing midway through the second stanza as they ran in three converted tries to level the scores at 30-30.
After the teams traded penalties, Sias Ebersohn had the opportunity to convert a potential match-winning three-pointer from right in front of the posts, but he buckled under pressure and pulled the easy attempt. The Highlanders then edged the win in the 79th minute thanks to a Chris Noakes penalty. Astonishing.
During the week, Naka Drotske explained that he had a specific game plan to down the highflying Highlanders. The visitors came with strong reputation for their breakdown domination on attack and defence, and it was essential for the Cheetahs to nullify this threat to achieve victory.
And the home team did so impressively in the first half.
They committed enough numbers at the breakdown to halt the Highlanders’ strong counter-rucking, which saw them thrive on attack with the quick ball won at the tackle points. The Kiwis’ ill-discipline also cost them as they were issued two yellow cards in the 25th and 32nd minute respectively. Andrew Hore was the first player sent to the sin bin for a breakdown transgression, while James Haskell received the second for a blatant punch. The English flanker was lucky not to receive a red card as referee Marius Jonker was advised by his assistant to do so.
With this advantage, the Cheetahs built strong attacking momentum and crossed the chalk twice through Coenie Oosthuizen and Andries Ferreira. But it was Johan Goosen who was the main influence during the Cheetahs’ charge.
The 19-year-old flyhalf scored a haul of 18 points – kicking 13 in the first half (via three penalties and two conversions), before sprinting 65m down the touchline in the second stanza and beating two covering defenders to dive in at the corner. This gave the Cheetahs their 25-point buffer. In addition to his impressive spearheading of the backline and solid defensive display, he didn’t miss one goal attempt.
Unfortunately for the men from Bloemfontein, Goosen hurt his shoulder during the act of scoring and he was replaced by Ebersohn. And with Goosen’s early departure, came the Cheetahs’ downfall.
The hosts stifled on attack and their resolve crumbled on defence. This allowed the Highlanders to cut the deficit thanks to tries from halfback replacements Noakes and Jimmy Cowan, who completed a brace.
The Cheetahs still had the opportunity to close out the win, but they failed as Ebersohn missed his easiest goal attempt – handing the Highlanders their seventh win of the season.
385 Comments
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29 Apr 2012, 01:25 am
@NoRugbyGuru_0_(RugbyGuru_0_)-348: again, from four different countries?
Bwahahahaha just proving how very stoopid you are… most are BORN and BRED in NZ, making them NZers..
like the Afrikaaner men who have Dutch heritage, they are still Saffas though arent they?
do you not understand or comprehend this rather SIMPLE point?
and theres that racism, “coconut slang” ??? well done racist, thanks for unequivocally proving my point on this thread..
if only youd spend 5 or 10 minutes and research the whole PI situation in NZ, but then that would fly in the face of your “argument”.. I doubt you even know what “research” means.. heres a hint, its not what the cops have to do to you again to assure themselves that you arent one of SA’s many. many, many criminals..
jou ma se ****..
29 Apr 2012, 01:27 am
@cab(cab)-350: nah Cab, tac only sees one team, I support all NZ teams against foreign opposition and would rather the ABs perform before any provincial side..
I think Tacs boyfriend wears pink, hence his overt adulation…
29 Apr 2012, 01:30 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-338: yeah I hear you – NZ teams are always competitive no doubt. I marvel at the skills sometimes. The Sa backline play in general leaves much to be desired.
29 Apr 2012, 01:32 am
@ poops,
Weren’t you born in SA? So you’re just stereotyped yourself… “Domkof”
You’ve obviously been given one big poesklap because you’ve lost your touch with reality.
As for the comment regarding my mother, its glad to see you still speak your home language.
I would respond by saying something about your mother but I’ve seen the photo you pasted here. You know the one with the flowers at the memorial.
I’m more man than you are
Its early hours here, good night and you not fooling me. I know which other names you blog under
29 Apr 2012, 01:32 am
Yep Popps i agree but u gotta enjoy that support.
Speaking of which, the blues r fkd, dunno if it’s it’s lammies fault buy he’s going to carry it with all the talent, that a real rugby man IMO,
29 Apr 2012, 01:34 am
Pat lam all heart – it’s not right.
29 Apr 2012, 01:36 am
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-353: there was a time when SA backs where electrifying with their play, a few moons ago now though, there seem to be a few more coming through again… I think the emphasis in SA on brawn limits their development somewhat, and not sure if NZ still have it, but I attribute a lot of the skills to the weight for age classification NZ rugby had/has for junior players..
you will naturally be more inclined to develop a step, run into a gap if you are competing against others that are a similar weight… when you are a light laatie competing against some of the bigger boys, it can discourage you from playing the game… just my opinion/
29 Apr 2012, 01:39 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-352: Same here I support all Saffa teams against foreign opposition with no clear favourites though at a push Id have to say Stormers and Cheetahs.
29 Apr 2012, 01:41 am
@cab(cab)-355: I think the whole organisation needs a cleanout mate… from CEO down… Lam has to shoulder some responsibility, but when you dont pick players from your catchment area like Laumanu (i think that was his name, promising 8 man from memory) to the point the uip and comers go overseas, then your management style is completely wrong..
I am expecting the blues to disrupt another kiwi teams chances at the playoffs though.. the NZ equivalent of the Cheetahs perhaps? it is painful to watch a union that represents NZs largest catchment area perform so poorly… we have had a few injuries to key men, but thats not an excuse id ever want to hear from the organisation..
we need to get rid of the deadwood in the playing ranks too…. there seems to be no desire, passion and intensity in the team…. something is definitely rancid within the organisation, and it is reflecting on the field..
29 Apr 2012, 01:46 am
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-358: Im a staunch patriot too in case you hadnt noticed
29 Apr 2012, 01:46 am
Nah blurs are equivalent of lions, my team, th capital, plenty moolah, at time unfkndefeatable – right now? Shite
29 Apr 2012, 01:50 am
@NoRugbyGuru_0_(RugbyGuru_0_)-354: oh do tell, which other names do I blog under????
hahaha I have never used another nick apart from the week after the WC win, I am no coward that needs to hide behind a nom de plume, I will confront you with the same nick Ive always used, and have always maintained that I would have a beer with anyone here who happened to get to Sydney, if they wanted to make something more of it after having a few brews with me, then i would also oblige..
as for you being more man than me, are you post op or pre op? or is it just the tuck under?
now go to bed, and beware the tokoloshe… as for your assumption that Afrikaans is my native tongue, you could not be more wrong… I simply try to absorb and appreciate different cultures, its also a mark of respect that I converse (even when insulting) by trying to use your native tongue… you should try it some time, it would actually make you this man you are trying to persuade everyone you are..
29 Apr 2012, 01:55 am
@cab(cab)-361: have to agree, it is disheartening watching our teams fumble from one defeat to the next, but looking forward to our teams playing each other…
anyways, must be off.
Cab and Slumtown, nice chatting rugby
Norugby_guru, I think it is indicative of how much I have gotten under the skin of many bloggers here by your insistance on coming at me with both fists slapping in your very first post… thanks for the validation mamparra..
29 Apr 2012, 02:00 am
Yip unfortunate as it is u can travel the world but the only other civilization that understands the importance of rugby is the kiwis – maybe the welsh but nit realy.
29 Apr 2012, 02:01 am
These tonsils just don’t get it – u van talkabout Birmingham city fc but nothing..,
29 Apr 2012, 02:13 am
@cab(cab)-365:
To be fair the Welsh also get it.
29 Apr 2012, 02:14 am
Just proves that Goosen should be the first name HM writes down.
29 Apr 2012, 02:16 am
@garth(garth)-367:
Won’t that be Matfield the new captain?
29 Apr 2012, 02:16 am
These knts pride themselves on heartvon sleave, no heart no sleave,let’s pretend tho it’s all of that, all orchestrated **** withbthe English – shame cos they nice ppl
29 Apr 2012, 02:19 am
@cab(cab)-369:
Have you on the sauce Cabbie?
29 Apr 2012, 02:22 am
Forwards:
Beast Biz Coenie
Etsebeth Bekker
Brussouw Vermeulen Burger (c)
Hougaard
Goosen
Le Roux Frans Ebersohn Aplon
Lambie
Unfortunately there is only one Bulls player in this team, so HM is not likely to get it right.
29 Apr 2012, 02:33 am
Yep greentea (nzinchina?) a bit – pisspoor effort
29 Apr 2012, 02:35 am
He can play the guitar just like ringing a bell – what a great fkn line
go jonny go
29 Apr 2012, 02:41 am
Time to go home – a nighton keo. – ****** almighty hey
I just cantvseemnyobget enough of you.
I just can’t hey enough – tho maybe. Can wit these prim and poroper do calked willed birdies lets see – night
good luck to pat lam – I cam see why they kept him on.
29 Apr 2012, 02:45 am
Oh man, that sucked. Cheetahs play 60 minutes of GOOD rugby, young 10 gets a season ender & the Highlanders win the game in 10 minutes. Unbelieveable.
Poor cheetahs, that has been what has been happening to the Highlanders for 5 years.
Will we beat the sharks next week?
29 Apr 2012, 02:53 am
I appear to be fkd, but so clear oh so gdam clear – muffie v nice gnite
29 Apr 2012, 03:13 am
disappointed by that kick from ehberson. the whole season he has shown poor body language on the pitch and this was ultimately his downfall.
instead of being a team player, he let his battle between himself and goosen get into his head. well guess what mate, GOOSEN IS BETTER THAN YOU.
so dont farrkin complain that ur sitting on the bench, as after that game, the bench is what u deserve. improve ur attitude, stopping sulking every game or find a new team!
as for Goosen, this guy is Great! brings good attitude, brings the ball to the gain line. can step, run, tackle, pass and has good tactical acumen. However, i am worried his great style of play will be hampered at the Boks. Goosen enjoys quick offloads out of the ruck and a fast game style. unfortunatly, the Boks are going to revert to their stupid kick and chase and his talent will be wasted immediently. adding on to that, he will have a uncoordinated forward pack led by spies who cant even give him gainline ball
29 Apr 2012, 05:21 am
@garth(garth)-371: As someone not biased towards any province (non Saffa) that’s the form Springbok XV so far.
29 Apr 2012, 06:16 am
What a nightmare for the cheetahs,they should easily be in the top 6 at the moment.Their lapses in concentration seem to punish them horrendously,all teams have lapses but none seem to get pumped as badly as the Cheetahs do for there’s.
Aus and kiwi teams picking up bonus points at will in SA at the moment ,very disturbing,Stormers need to start scoring tries for those bonus points wins alone will not do at this stage of the tournament if they want to get top spot.
29 Apr 2012, 07:13 am
@DAS(DAS)-378:
Don’t think so, DAS.
Beast only returned to play yeaterday. He is yet to show us what “form” he is in.
Bissie’s “form” is not better than that of Chilliboy or Strauss.
Coenie plays at LH so his “form” at TH can’t be determined.
Schalk’s “form” is questionable since he hasn’t played for quite a while now.
Lambie plays at 10 for the Sharks so his “form” at 15 is unknown.
Le Roux is not in better “form” than Habana.
29 Apr 2012, 07:42 am
Le Roux is miles ahead of Habana and has one talent that he’ll never be able to learn… a step.
29 Apr 2012, 10:26 am
@nama1(nama1)-380: add to that De Jongh is right up there with Ebersohn too. At 8 going on form i´d rather play Ashley Johnson now that Vermeulen is crocked. He has speed and size. And at 15 what about Joe Pietersen – if we´re talking about form. Some guys are not seeing whats going on on the field if you ask me. I´d also find a place for Jacques Potgieter in my squad.
29 Apr 2012, 11:17 am
@garth(garth)-381:
You probably have the Habana of 2010/2011 in mind. The 2012 version is playing very, very good rugby.
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-382:
Agree.
29 Apr 2012, 11:50 am
Look at the way he stuffed up an open try yesterday. He has improved, but still not where the best in SA. That is Le Roux
29 Apr 2012, 15:51 pm
@garth(garth)-384:
The try was awarded, wasn’t it? How did he stuff it up then?
Agree with you on the side step issue but then again, Habana became the premier try scorer for the Boks without ever being able to step.
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