Landers spoil Cheetahs’ party

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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  • 51.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:05 pm

    Now get out the stream you catch your death

  • 52.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:07 pm

    Did they just show a replay of a second Haskell punch? I missed it.

  • 53.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:09 pm

    Yes they did waar was jy

  • 54.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:10 pm

    In my view a punch should only be a yellow.

    10 minutes and the usual 7 points against your team is enough of a penalty.

  • 55.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:11 pm

    I was paying attention to you lot.

  • 56.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:12 pm

    I hope they ban Haskell for a good long time then. Dirty *******. It’s not like you can klap someone back – they always penalize the person who retaliates.

  • 57.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:13 pm

    Awesome try by Goosen!

  • 58.ashampoopaloo: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:13 pm

    Check this Johan Goosen all out running attack distribution style game to go with his superior kicking stats, and some schmucks were telling me he ain’t the real deal at the beginning of the season.

    Superior No.10 for Boks by some distance ahead of all the other half baked contenders

  • 59.IAAS: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:13 pm

    Thst was a decent try.

  • 60.Guns: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:13 pm

    Goosen is pure class!!

  • 61.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:13 pm

    Goosen is injured.

    Shoulder.

  • 62.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:13 pm

    Oh kak, I hope he’s OK.

  • 63.Guns: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:14 pm

    **** hope his shoulder ok..Be a shame..

  • 64.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:15 pm

    Eina

  • 65.David: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:15 pm

    Sh*t. Looks like Goosens either torn ligaments or dislocated his shoulder.

  • 66.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:16 pm

    how come skopshyte feels a constant need for vindication?

    always on here saying “I told you so” but mostly “I nearly told you so”.

    mampara.

  • 67.IAAS: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:16 pm

    Sad manner for any player to leave the field. Just hope it’s not long term.

  • 68.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:17 pm

    Ouch

  • 69.willievz: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:17 pm

    Bugger, hope he is ok.

    But if some people still think Morne is the better option at 10 they need to get their mind read.

  • 70.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:19 pm

    Cheating Highlander scum.

  • 71.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:19 pm

    I am feeling it

  • 72.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:20 pm

    They’re very lucky to be only 30-9 down.

  • 73.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:20 pm

    Does not look good for Goosen I hope he is ok too

  • 74.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:21 pm

    Injuries to key players making HM decisions much easier

  • 75.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:22 pm

    Great defence.

  • 76.David: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:22 pm

    @willievz(willievz)-69:
    He looked in a lot of pain when he was on the stretcher, which doesn’t look good. I also tore my shoulder ligaments over 20 years ago, and its never been right since. Of course I never had the medical facilities available that Goosen has.

  • 77.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:23 pm

    Or more difficult

  • 78.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:24 pm

    @David(David)-76:
    Me too still hurts when its cold

  • 79.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:24 pm

    Ok he up and smiling

  • 80.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:24 pm

    3 meters forward

  • 81.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:25 pm

    @Dawn(Dawn)-79:
    I can tell you Dawn he is not smiling

  • 82.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:27 pm

    He was!

  • 83.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:28 pm

    Just briefly

  • 84.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:28 pm

    Dawn is was a courageous smile but hes hurting

  • 85.ashampoopaloo: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:29 pm

    I told you so you dumbfk little snot nosed guppyuppie cn’t, I told you so many times you miserable little peanut brained imbecilic son of a slave trader cn’t but you only wake up AFTER the reality has dawned

    While you were creaming your poefta guppyuppie panties and singing the virtues of your powder puff Lambiekins I was telling you Goosen was the real deal.., till you were FORCED to wake up and take notice.

    You the kind snot nosed little feeble colonialist cn’t fuckwit that need you fuckwit slave trader fckdup pommie arsed brain fixed.., you sniveling little piece of pommiefied cr@p

    Goosen is the difference between Cheetahs this year to last year. Without Goosen this Cheetahs side not quite the same outfit, along with introduction of Willie Le Roux at wing

    And so what skopskiet told you so long ago comes back to bite these pomfaced **** where it counts., between their fckd out pomfaced sniveling colony hopping slave trader cnteyes.

  • 86.brains_trust: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:30 pm

    Wow the difference in play from the cheetashs since Goosen has left the field is chalk and cheese…

  • 87.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:30 pm

    Haskell 4 weeks ban 2 weeks for each punch :)

  • 88.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:31 pm

    I’ve listened to Haskell give a talk before – very funny guy.

  • 89.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:31 pm

    Coach I aint arguing with you just relieved to see him on sideline and not flat on his back

    Now lemme alone!

  • 90.David: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:31 pm

    The Cheetahs are letting the Highlanders back into the game with awfull defence.

  • 91.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:32 pm

    @brains_trust(brains_trust)-86:
    yes its very noticeable

  • 92.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:32 pm

    more vindicating… reckon our deal old lunatic doesn’t get enough affirmation in the real world.

    As the Black Eyed Peas say, “Where is the love?”

  • 93.Nils: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:32 pm

    Oh, an upset looming?

    Cheetahs were cruising with ease a few mins ago.

  • 94.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:33 pm

    Cheetahs better do some waking up……..

  • 95.Nils: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:33 pm

    @CoachPete(CoachPete)-87: Haskell gets SBW for 12 rounds. :D

  • 96.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:34 pm

    @wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-92: ignore it and move on woody, by answering ur only vindicatin g his existance

  • 97.Nils: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:34 pm

    Phew, a English like collapse of middle order.

  • 98.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:34 pm

    @Dawn(Dawn)-89:
    I know :)
    I am speaking from experience
    Broken collar bone and torn shoulder ligaments in on e tackle
    Its foking sore

  • 99.David: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:34 pm

    The Highlanders are going to win this.

  • 100.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    28 Apr 2012, 18:34 pm

    ag no cheetahs ?

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