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Preview: Crusaders v Cheetahs
Sportal.co.nz - (15/04/2010)
Another Crusaders win is shaping on Saturday as the Cheetahs excursion to Australasia reaches week three in the Rebel Sport Super 14.
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 5 - Crusaders 4, Cheetahs 1.
LAST TIME: April 25, 2009 (Bloemfontein) - Cheetahs 20-13 Crusaders.
LAST TIME AT VENUE: March 15, 2008 - Crusaders 55-7 Cheetahs.
WALKING WOUNDED: As expected, Todd Blackadder has named a team including several second-stringers; four reserves from last week have been moved into the starting lineup. The solid core up the middle remains in place, however, and Richie McCaw has been moved back to his rightful place at No 7. Kabamba Floors, the Cheetahs flanker, was cited for a dangerous tackle on Julian Huxley at Canberra and given a five-week suspension that has ended his Super 14. Naka Drotske has waded into his underperforming team with a selectorial axe, replacing all three inside backs and choosing three relatively new forwards to start what promises to be a very difficult match for the Cheetahs.
FORM:
PAST FIVE Crusaders:
Round 5: Beat Chiefs 26-19
Round 6: Beat Lions 46-19
Round 7: Bye
Round 8: Drew with Hurricanes 26-26
Round 9: Beat Waratahs 20-13
PAST FIVE Cheetahs:
Round 5: Bye
Round 6: Lost to Stormers 8-21
Round 7: Lost to Reds 10-31
Round 8: Lost to Waratahs 17-40
Round 9: Lost to Brumbies 15-61
A quick glance at the season records is enough to tell the story: the Crusaders have not been beaten since round two, when they were surprisingly and heavily beaten by the Reds while the Cheetahs have not won since round four, when they over-ran a poor Hurricanes outfit at Bloemfontein. Since then the Crusaders have piled up the wins although scoring points has not been as easy this year as in the recent past and there is a noticeable lack of bonus points in their season tally. In the last two matches much of the game has revolved around the pack bashing away in close-quarter action, which has netted six points but left one wondering if there were not better ways of doing things. Against one of the weakest defences in the competition, we should see that there are. Whatever confidence the Cheetahs had gained with a solid start must have been checked at Johannesburg Customs as they headed east, as they have been awful and getting progressively worse on this tour. Last week's effort at Canberra was as bad as any seen from any team this year and the score was deservedly lop-sided in the Brumbies favour.
WHO'S HOT: Brad Thorn has been in mighty form recently and his huge work-rate must be an inspiration for the younger players around him. Wyatt Crockett played strongly against the Waratahs and had one of his best outings of the year; with All Black selection nearing he'll want to continue that form. The outside backs have been bit-part players recently but they must be hoping for more ball this week and Sean Maitland must be eyeing a bag of tries to strengthen his claims to a sure spot. The Cheetahs were simply horrible last week and it's hard to see how they can recover this year; the fight seems to have gone out of them. Experienced tight forwards Nico Breedt and Wian du Preez are always honest, although both have been surprisingly demoted to the bench this week, while Corne Uys would be far more effective in a better backline.
WE THINK: Anyone who disagrees with our call here - a big Crusaders win and a bonus point - is either a die-hard Free Stater or knows something hidden from the rest of us. Given they way the two sides are travelling, anything less than a 40-point margin may lead to calls for swabbing.
TEAMS:
Crusaders: 1. Wyatt Crockett, 2.Ti'i Paulo, 3. Ben Franks, 4. Chris Jack, 5. Sam Whitelock, 6. George Whitelock, 7. Richie McCaw (captain), 8. Thomas Waldrom, 9. Kahn Fotuali'i, 10. Daniel Carter, 11. Sean Maitland, 12.Ryan Crotty, 13. Tim Bateman, 14. Jared Payne, 15. Colin Slade.
Reserves: 16.Dan Perrin, 17. Owen Franks, 18. Brad Thorn, 19. Jonathon Poff, 20. Andy Ellis or Willi Heinz, 21. Daniel Bowden, 22. Zac Guildford.
<b>Cheetahs: </b>1. Corne Oosthuizen, 2.Adriaan Strauss (captain), 3.WP Nel, 4.Izak van der Westhuyzen, 5.Walti Vermeulen, 6.Hendro Scholtz, 7. Barend Pieterse, 8.Davon Raubenheimer, 9.Sarel Pretorius, 10. Riaan Viljoen, 11.Jongi Nokwe, 12.Barry Geel, 13. Corne Uys, 14.Danwel Demas, 15.Hennie Daniller.
Reserves: 16.Ryno Barnes, 17. Wian du Preez, 18. Nico Breedt, 19.Philip van der Walt, 20.Tewis de Bruyn, 21. Meyer Bosman, 22. Sias Ebersohn.
REFEREE: Jonathon White
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