Super 15: Cheetahs - Rebels in Bloemfontein (21-05-2011)

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein (21-05-2011 16:05 GMT)

The Cheetahs will look to extend their winning streak to an incredible 4 after defeating the Brumbies, Lions and Crusaders in the previous weeks. In all, the Cheetahs have scored an amazing 16 tries in the last 4 matches! Only against the Crusaders that did not result in a bonuspoint. They lost against the Hurricanes 4 weeks ago with 47-50 having a 47-43 lead when the buzzer went. The Canes snatched a win at the death and the Cheetahs were struck. Since that loss, they have regrouped and gathered the courage to take on even the mighty Crusaders. Free State Stadium seems a serious threat for opponents. With The Sharks still visiting, they can play a crucial role in the race for the play off spots.

The Rebels are the team who have conceded the most tries of all. They conceded 57 and scored 23. With Cipriani out due to his abismal behavior, it seems the Melbourne side has turned to other options to go for the win. Stirling Mortlock, Gareth Delve, Julian Huxley, Greg Sommerville, Richard Kingi, Cooper VUna, Mark Gerrard and Hugh Pyle there is more than enough talent and experience but it just doesn't seem to flow. With only the Lions behind them, they look to be the wooden spoon-holder if they don't step it up. The Brumbies are close and in grabbing distance. Can the Rebels cause an upset in Bloem?


(The Rebels play their first season of Super Rugby and because of that, there's no history between the 2 teams)

 

[Amobokoboko]

I hope the Cheetahs nail down another victory

 

[Seaton]

Mon the Cheetahs, you are playing some wonderful rugby, don't screw it

Oh, and try to avoid more injuries* please

* Heinrich Brussouw is out for 4 weeks with a hamstring injury

 

[Amobokoboko]

what's the verdict on Vermeulen?

 

[Seaton]

what's the verdict on Vermeulen?

Injured (concussion) IIRC, going to be replaced by Martin Muller

Cheetahs team:

1. COENIE OOSTHUIZEN
2. ADRIAAN STRAUSS (CAPT)
3. W.P. NEL
4. FRANCOIS UYS
5. WILHELM STEENKAMP
6. KABAMBA FLOORS
7. ASHLEY JOHNSON
8. DAVON RAUBENHEIMER

9. SAREL PRETORIUS
10. SIAS EBERSOHN
11. RYNO BENJAMIN
12. CORNE UYS
13. ROBERT EBERSOHN (VC)
14. RIAAN SMIT
15. RIAAN VILJOEN

16. RYNO BARNES (FR)
17. LOURENS ADRIAANSE (FR)
18. MARTIN MULLER
19. JOHAN WESSELS
20. TEWIS DE BRUYN
21. NAAS OLIVIER
22. HENNIE DANILLER

 

[Amobokoboko]

Solid team, hope Vermeulen will recover fast.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Yeah that's a decent team considering injuries. Is Philip van der Walt also injured? First time I've heard of Johan Wessels.

I just hope the Cheetahs can keep the core players from this squad in tact; I can't remember a year that they didn't lose at least 4 key players to other SA teams or France. With a full strength team they could push for top spot in the SA conference next season especially considering that some of the 'big names' at the other franchises will be moving on after the RWC.

Imagine this side a year more experienced and gelled;

1 Coenie Oosthuizen
2 Adriaan Struass
3 WP Nell
4 Francois Uys
5 Wilhelm Steenkamp
6 Heinrich Brussow
7 Juan Smith
8 Frans Viljoen
9 Sarel Pretorius
10 Sias Ebersohn
11 Jongi Nokwe
12 Andries Strauss
13 Robert Ebersohn
14 Riaan Smit
15 Riaan Viljoen

16 Lourens Adriaanse
17 Rayno Barnes
18 Waltie Vermeulen
19 Ashley Johnson
20 Tertius Carse
21 Johan Goosen
22 Hennie Daniller

Oosthuizen needs to sharpen at at scrumtime; has been giving away too many penalties which detracts from his value in the loose and the backline needs to sharpen up their defense; Pretorius and both Ebersohn brothers are high on the list for most tackles missed this season.

 

[Cassie]

This is formidable Cheetahs team with great potential for future years. I am sure they will be up for the challenge against the Rebels who has a tendency to leak tries. The Cheetahs have that same problem but they upt the ante against the Crusaders team that wasn't at full strength, will love to see what they can come up with Saturday.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Rebels Team
1 . Greg Somerville , 2 . Ged Robinson , 3 . Laurie Weeks , 4 . Alister Campbell , 5 . Hugh Pyle , 6 . Luke Jones , 7 . Jarrod Saffy , 8 . Tim Davidson (VC) , 9 . Nick Phipps , 10 . Julian Huxley , 11 . Luke Rooney , 12 . Stirling Mortlock (c) , 13 . Mark Gerrard , 14 . Cooper Vuna , 15 . Richard Kingi
Reserves : 16 . Heath Tessmann , 17 . Rodney Blake , 18 . Kevin O'Neill , 19 . Michael Lipman , 20 . James Hilgendorf , 21 . Afusipa Taumoepeau , 22 . Peter Betham

http://www.superxv.com/news/super15_rugby_news.asp?id=30368

Rebels team named.

Recent form/lack of form and home-ground advantage says Cheetahs FTW butI'm not sure the Cheetahs will have it all their own way but if they can keep up the intensity they could well put this Rebels side to the sword in the last 20 minutes.

I'm looking to see some consistency from the Cheetahs. If they can keep up the intensity and improved defense they showed against the Crusaders, and for the whole game, that would be better than puting the Rebels away in a ridiculous try-feast IMO.

The Rebels started the tournament surprisingly well, winning some matches where they managed to stay in touch with opposition but have had a rough second half to the tournament and will be looking to bounce back. Not to be underestimated.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Already looking forward to the weekend.

 

[Amobokoboko]

The boys are playing well against Ozzie teams.
Go Cheetahs.

 

[Darwin]

I'm picking the Cheetahs to take the match convincingly. Delve is a huge loss for the Rebels (I understand he has been rested) as he is one of the few Rebels players that have been consistent all year.

 

[Amobokoboko]

As long as the boys stay focussed everything is possible. Go Ebersohn and pretorius

 

[Amobokoboko]

Cheetahs looking good.

 

[Draggs]

Cheetahs looking good.

Definitely. If only they started out this well (except for the first week), would have made the SA conference very tough.
Cheetahs must be getting worried about backup second rows.

 

[Amobokoboko]

True, Steenkamp out with a knee injury.
But they only have three games left. They might secure the third spot if the Bulls lose some games and if they succeed in getting bonus points

 

[Amobokoboko]

What a try by Uys

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

4650 on the Cheetahs by 7+ and with no reason for any doubt. Too bad I made the odds so low haha

 

[Amobokoboko]

I only putted 300 on them +7. Will just keep on betting on them.

 

[Draggs]

Yellow card Mortlock, Red for Benjamin (putting the head on Mortlock).
41-14 Cheetahs.