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Prevew: Chiefs v Cheetahs
Sportal.co.nz - (22/04/2010)
Misery for the Chiefs since their return from South Africa should end when meeting the Cheetahs in Hamilton on Friday.
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 5 – Chiefs 3, Cheetahs 1, drawn 1.
LAST TIME: April 18, 2009 (Kimberley) – Cheetahs 10-28 Chiefs.
LAST TIME AT VENUE: March 8, 2008 – Chiefs 22-20 Cheetahs.
MATCH ODDS: NZ TAB (Wednesday): Chiefs $1.08, Cheetahs $7.00.
WALKING WOUNDED: Mike Delany is gone for six months or so after suffering a shoulder fracture last week, while Lelia Masaga suffered a knee injury that has probably ended his Super 14 season. The Chiefs are much-changed from last week, especially in the backs, and Ian Foster has reacted to a dismal showing against the Stormers by benching three of his All Blacks. The one piece of good news is that Sitiveni Sivivatu has returned to the starting lineup. The return of skipper Juan Smith, after a family bereavement, and a couple of changes in the front row have given the Cheetahs pack a much stronger look, while Naka Drotske has also made changes to his midfield and returned to something like his regular lineup. If nothing else, this looks the strongest Cheetahs team for some weeks.
FORM:
PAST FIVE Chiefs:
Round 6: Bye
Round 7: Lost to Brumbies 23-30
Round 8: Beat Highlanders 26-21
Round 9: Lost to Bulls 19-33
Round 10: Lost to Stormers 15-49
PAST FIVE Cheetahs:
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
Round 10: Lost to Crusaders 6-45
Both sides are now playing out the string as neither has a hope of making the playoffs and, on form, neither deserves to be anywhere near the four. The Chiefs are running out of chances to win at Hamilton, where they are 0-4 in 2010, and this is the best shot they'll have. The crowd told the story last week; as the Stormers completed their demolition the home fans were heading for the exits with 20 minutes still to play – and they didn't miss any good bits from the locals. The Chiefs may also need to look at their discipline, as they are high among the Super 14's most penalised teams and have constantly shown basic lapses in many other areas of their game. The Cheetahs may not test them much, as they're 13th only because the Lions are also in the competition. This tour has been a disaster with all three losses coming after the opposition has put at least 40 points on the board, while the Cheetahs have hardly fired a shot. They did control possession for a lot of the second half at Christchurch but had little idea of how to use it and it was not a major shock to find the Crusaders didn't concede a try.
WHO'S HOT: Despite the long injury list the Chiefs still started 10 All Blacks last week, but without referring to the team list is would have been hard to guess that as most were MIA throughout the game. Without being cruel it was hard to identify even one Chiefs player who had a strong 80 minutes; perhaps their best was Tim Nanai-Williams but even he compromised some good running and stout defending with lapses that cost points. The Cheetahs had one outstanding player at Christchurch and, even in a team beaten by 39 clear points, Sarel Pretorius would have been in contention for Man of the Match. Nobody could fault his effort, attitude or skill; now he needs 14 like-minded fellows and the Cheetahs might get somewhere.
WE THINK: Take a photo of this – we're going to tip the Chiefs to win at Hamilton! Honestly, if they don't everyone involved with the team should contemplate immediate retirement as it's impossible to see the Cheetahs threatening, even with Smith back. We believe the Chiefs should win by 20 or more, with a bonus point thrown in.
TEAMS:
Chiefs: 1. Toby Smith, 2.Hika Elliot, 3. Nathan White, 4.Craig Clarke, 5. Culum Retallick, 6.Liam Messam (captain), 7. Tanerau Latimer, 8. Colin Bourke, 9. Junior Pololeuligaga, 10. Stephen Donald, 11. Sitiveni Sivivatu, 12. Callum Bruce, 13. Jackson Willison, 14. Dwayne Sweeney, 15. Tim Nanai-Williams.
Reserves: 16.Vern Kamo, 17.James McGougan, 18.Kevin O'Neill, 19. Sione Lauaki, 20. Brendon Leonard, 21. Richard Kahui, 22. Jason Hona.
Cheetahs: 1. Wian du Preez, 2. Ryno Barnes, 3.WP Nel, 4.Izak van der Westhuyzen, 5. Barend Pieterse, 6.Hendro Scholtz, 7. Juan Smith (captain), 8.Davon Raubenheimer, 9.Sarel Pretorius, 10. Naas Olivier, 11.Jongi Nokwe, 12. Meyer Bosman, 13. Corne Uys, 14.Danwel Demas, 15.Hennie Daniller.
Reserves: 16. Adriaan Strauss, 17. Corne Oosthuizen, 18. Nico Breedt, 19.Philip van der Walt, 20.Tewis de Bruyn, 21. Riaan Viljoen, 22. Sias Ebersohn.
REFEREE: Stuart Dickinson
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