Hurricanes vs Cheetahs

[Razbra]

Man that was painful! The Canes just looked inept - aside from Cory Jane. Smith returned to usual abilities. I have to admit that I think Ripia would have been better starting to kick into field position, then let Cruden have a run at tiring defences. Cruden seemed wasted as the Canes mostly kept the ball tight when he was on the field.

I think that the Canes need to install Conrad Smith as captain - it's clear he's the backline leader and Hore seems to offer nothing as a captain. Inspirationally or tactically he doesn't seem to have it (only as a a captain though, he's still a bloody good player).

Good effort Cheetahs.

Damn you RB and your kiss of death.

I wasn't sure about Hore either. Would he be a "follow me boys" type? Looks like a no on that count. I agree Smith would be the obvious choice but he's broken a lot! But still a choice I could live with, I'd have Weepu as VC too. But I may be alone there.

[Armchaircritic]

Even if Conrad was fit and Captain last night, they still wouldn't of won it. There is something terribly wrong with the Canes ability to play as a team.
The Highlanders getting thrashed by the Stormers played with more spirit and skill.
This Canes side will lose all 3 SA games.
What depressing weeks ahead for Canes sufferers.

[DMX]

I was sticking up for David smith a couple of weeks ago but I have to admit now he is rubbish. I think the canes are wishiing for Guilford now.

[Nepia]

Even if Conrad was fit and Captain last night, they still wouldn't of won it. There is something terribly wrong with the Canes ability to play as a team.
The Highlanders getting thrashed by the Stormers played with more spirit and skill.
This Canes side will lose all 3 SA games.
What depressing weeks ahead for Canes sufferers.

They would have had more of a chance. I actually thought Lieua played well, but Smith is more than just the best centre in the team, Nonu plays better when he plays, the outside backs get the ball in space. Jane's try illustrated how dangerous the Canes backs can be with decent ball. Conrad helps them play as a team.
They wont lose 3 in a row - they'll win the 'harder' game just to infuriate us even more.

Paterson went from hero to chump - he looked completely out of form. Hopefully he'll bounce back next week.

Razba - I think Weepu is the vice captain and I agree I'd have him as vc, although Hore would be forward leader.

[Toddy]

God the canes are bad. Just no discipline and they couldn't adapt to the ref. I don't think it really matters who the captain is as the moment. The result would have been exactly the same imo. I'm surprised the ref took so long to bin the canes for repeated infringements.

[Armchaircritic]

They would have had more of a chance. I actually thought Lieua played well, but Smith is more than just the best centre in the team, Nonu plays better when he plays, the outside backs get the ball in space. Jane's try illustrated how dangerous the Canes backs can be with decent ball. Conrad helps them play as a team.
They wont lose 3 in a row - they'll win the 'harder' game just to infuriate us even more.

Paterson went from hero to chump - he looked completely out of form. Hopefully he'll bounce back next week.

Razba - I think Weepu is the vice captain and I agree I'd have him as vc, although Hore would be forward leader.

I really hope your right.
I just feel that what I've seen with all their games so far this year, they just lack intensity for major portions of their games.
Its funny how all the ex Canes are playing really well this year for the other franchises eg Matheson, Guildford, Tommy the tank, Fruen.

[Blue]

Canes are a lot better with C Smith for the simple reason that he appears to be Nonu's brain.

It's like watching two different people playing when he does and doesn't have Smit outside him.

[Bones]

I really hope your right.
I just feel that what I've seen with all their games so far this year, they just lack intensity for major portions of their games.
Its funny how all the ex Canes are playing really well this year for the other franchises eg Matheson, Guildford, Tommy the tank, Fruen.

Guildfords form is growing but I don't think he's been outstanding - whereas Fruean is pretty close to being dropped I'd say. Was Waldrom injured or dropped?

[rustycruiser]

Bad news for the Springboks. The unidentified player injured off camera in the final seconds was Heinrich Brussow. Torn ACL, probably done for all of 2010.

[WS32119]

Bad news for the Springboks. The unidentified player injured off camera in the final seconds was Heinrich Brussow. Torn ACL, probably done for all of 2010.

ah bugger it. Thats the cheetahs done for the season just when they were looking like they might have the desire to actually put something together.

With the form of the SA teams not looking that great (except for the bulls) I'm gearing myself up for a mediocre international season as well.

[Billy Webb]

Well, well, well.... Somewhere earlier in this thread I make some remark, pre-game, about the Cane's pissing this one in....
Guess their aim was worse than my estimates.

Well done to the Cheetahs. Gutsy performance that did the Bulls and Stormers a favour.
Huge pity about Brussow being badly crocked though. Not just for the Cheetahs, but also the Boks.
Looks like Burger will get his no.6 Bok jersey back then.

[El Toro supremo]

Well, well, well.... Somewhere earlier in this thread I make some remark, pre-game, about the Cane's pissing this one in....
Guess their aim was worse than my estimates.

Well done to the Cheetahs. Gutsy performance that did the Bulls and Stormers a favour.
Huge pity about Brussow being badly crocked though. Not just for the Cheetahs, but also the Boks.
Looks like Burger will get his no.6 Bok jersey back then.

Well Billy, I can sense the spring in your Cape Town step this morning!! With good reason as well. True the Cheetahs did a great job on Saturday but the Stormers really made us proud.Brilliant demolition job!! Excellent performances from both teams!! Bekker impressed me tremendously and deserved his MOTM award. Not so sure if Bakkies will be first choice for the Boks when he gets back.

[Billy Webb]

Well Billy, I can sense the spring in your Cape Town step this morning!! With good reason as well. True the Cheetahs did a great job on Saturday but the Stormers really made us proud.Brilliant demolition job!! Excellent performances from both teams!! Bekker impressed me tremendously and deserved his MOTM award. Not so sure if Bakkies will be first choice for the Boks when he gets back.

Agree with everything you said ET.
Although I think you've assumed I'm a Stormers fan....? I was born in bred in Durban, so sadly for me this season anyway, I'm a Sharks supporter.

Still, good to see the Stormers performing well, and great upset by the Cheetahs.
I just hope the Stormers are ready for big backlash from the Canes on Saturday. Those boys will be hurting and will throw everything at the Cape lads.

[bullet]

I've liked the look of the Cheetahs all season. Kinda saw this result coming.

I think "upset" is going too far. Any team can beat another on the day in this competition. And although you'd expect the Hurricanes to make the semis , you know they are going to drop a few games, especially on the road

[DMX]

I've liked the look of the Cheetahs all season. Kinda saw this result coming.

I think "upset" is going too far. Any team can beat another on the day in this competition. And although you'd expect the Hurricanes to make the semis , you know they are going to drop a few games, especially on the road

Strange thing with the Cheetahs is everytime I watch them in the currie Cup they are on par with the Bulls but then collapse in the super 12/14s. Maybe this year is different.

[Winger]

Just watched the match

Cruden was not good at 1st. He's not even close to being ready for this level yet and Ripia is needed for his goal kicking.

Weepu goal kicking was crap in this game. He can be good but when he's off he's terrible.

I would also bring Waldrom back and would not play Paterson at lock. Bring either Thrush or Broadhurst in. And even though Weepu is playing better than last I hope they give Keats a start before long. He's a quality player that has hardly had any game time so far and with Ripia inside might form a better combination than Weepu and Ripia. Then bring Weepu and Cruden on for impact.

Smith and Nonu did not have their best games. Leiua looked good when he finally saw the ball.

[DMX]

Just watched the match

Cruden was not good at 1st. He's not even close to being ready for this level yet and Ripia is needed for his goal kicking.

Weepu goal kicking was crap in this game. He can be good but when he's off he's terrible.

I would also bring Waldrom back and would not play Paterson at lock. Bring either Thrush or Broadhurst in. And even though Weepu is playing better than last I hope they give Keats a start before long. He's a quality player that has hardly had any game time so far and with Ripia inside might form a better combination than Weepu and Ripia. Then bring Weepu and Cruden on for impact.


Smith and Nonu did not have their best games. Leiua looked good when he finally saw the ball.

I said this before , I think Nonu needs a break or he will be burnt out by the end of the season. We are talking third straight season with very little break.

[taniwharugby]

I said this before , I think Nonu needs a break or he will be burnt out by the end of the season. We are talking third straight season with very little break.

Cooper did it to So'oialo last year...

[HB]

Cooper did it to So'oialo last year...

In 2006 he played Weepu right through the season despite him being knocked out on at least one occasion. By the end of season tour he had left the building, I am not sure he has fully recovered yet.

[Watu]

While I havent seen most of the game and heard he didn't play particularly well, I thought the decision to throw Cruden into the mix in Bloemf was still pretty fucking retarded.

Theres been talk of "protecting" him, but why not protect him by playing him in a home game against shit sandwiches like the Force and the Lions?? Instead Cooper throws him into the fire, at altitude, away from home, against the rampaging duo of Heinrich Brussouw and Juan Smith, to steer the ship for an injury ravaged Hurricanes side. Shot Coops.

Even if they were understrength, this was still the most winnable game, and Hore even said so after the game that it was a game they had targetted. What goes through these guys heads sometimes I'm not sure.

[Bones]

While I havent seen most of the game and heard he didn't play particularly well, I thought the decision to throw Cruden into the mix in Bloemf was still pretty fucking retarded.

Theres been talk of "protecting" him, but why not protect him by playing him in a home game against shit sandwiches like the Force and the Lions?? Instead Cooper throws him into the fire, at altitude, away from home, against the rampaging duo of Heinrich Brussouw and Juan Smith, to steer the ship for an injury ravaged Hurricanes side. Shot Coops.

Even if they were understrength, this was still the most winnable game, and Hore even said so after the game that it was a game they had targetted. What goes through these guys heads sometimes I'm not sure.

Have to agree with that, I thought it was a very strange move to be starting the "protected" Cruden in the first match in SA, against the Cheetahs. Perhaps it's time I started to think about jumping on the "f off Cooper" bandwagon.