Cheetahs vs Waratahs

[munross]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

Cheetahs vs Waratahs in Bloemfontein

Who knows what is going on with the Cheetahs. One week they are slaying giants and then the next they are someone's whipping boys. Beating the Crusaders and the Sharks was no easy task so even though they are at the bottom of the table they must not be underestimated.

The Waratahs say that they are relying on their defence which they say has been solid all year. The problem with that is that they have shuffled their backline moving Beale to centre and Turner to fullback. Sam Norton-Knight is on the bench which could boost the Sydney-siders later on in the match.

For the Cheetahs Naas Olivier proved to be an able replacement for Jaques Louis-Potgieter last week and their back line had little trouble finding the tryline given who they were up against.
The Cheetahs will be on a high from their recent turnaround. The Bookies have given the Waratahs a 1.5 point start. We agree that the Cheetahs will win because the Waratahs have just not been firing of late. We think the Cheetahs should win by 5 points.


Last five results
2008 Waratahs won 19-23 in Sydney
2007 Cheetahs won 30-26 in Kimberley
2006 Waratahs won 3-26 in Sydney

Head-to-Head: Played 4, Waratahs 3, Cheetahs 1
In Bloemfontein: N/A
Last season: Round 7, March 28 2008: Waratahs 23-19 Cheetahs at Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney

Match Officials
Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Assistant Refs: Joey Salmans (South Africa), Stuart Berry (South Africa)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
Assessor: G Wahlstrom (New Zealand)

Teams

Cheetahs: Wian du Preez, Adriaan Strauss, Kobus Calldo, Wayne van Heerden, David de Villiers, Heinrich Brussouw, Juan Smith, Hendro Scholtz, Tewis de Bruyn, Naas Olivier, Jongi Nokwe, Meyer Bosman, Corne Uys, Danwel Demas, Hennie Daniller.
Reserves Richardt Strauss, WP Nel, Nico Breedt, Kabamba Floors, Sarel Pretorius, Piet van Zyl, Fabian Juries.

Waratahs : Benn Robinson, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Alastair Baxter, Dean Mumm, Will Caldwell, Ben Mowen, Phil Waugh, Wycliff Palu, Brett Sheehan, Daniel Halangahu, Lote Tuqiri, Kurtley Beale, Timana Tahu, Peter Playford, Lachlan Turner.
Reserves: Damien Fitzpatrick, Sekope Kepu, Chris Thomson, Luke Doherty, Luke Burgess, Sam Norton-Knight, Tom Carter.[/b]

Going to be a very tight game but the 'Tahs will just snatch it at the end with a penalty or drop-goal I feel, but who knows it might turn out to be a copy of the Cheetahs - Sharks game

 

[munross]

Waratah Norton-Knight ruled out, Carraro in

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

The Waratahs have been forced into a late change ahead of Friday's clash with the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein with Sam Norton-Knight ruled out with a back injury.

Norton-Knight was named on the bench for the round twelve encounter, however was unable to complete the Captain's Run at Grey College after suffering a back spasm.

Randwick centre Matt Carraro has been called into the squad to replace Norton-Knight.

"It's a shame for Sam for this to happen so close to the game, especially on the back of copping a knock on his ankle just before heading to South Africa," said HSBC Waratahs Head Coach Chris Hickey.

"It gives Matt an opportunity from the bench this week and he performed extremely well when he was in South Africa last year so I'm sure he will do the job extremely well."

The squad completed their Captain's Run at Grey College, before familiarising themselves with Vodacom Park, the venue for Friday's match.
"The kickers had a good chance to get their bearings in the stadium, which is pretty important," said Hickey.

"There's also a lot of renovations going on for the Soccer World Cup at the ground, so getting a look at the new facilities was good."

The clash with the Cheetahs kicks off at 1:05am on Saturday, Sydney time, and can be viewed live on Fox Sports.

Waratahs

1. Benn Robinson^ (Eastwood), 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (Parramatta), 3. Al Baxter (Northern Suburbs), 4. Dean Mumm* (Sydney University), 5. Will Caldwell^ (Sydney University), 6. Ben Mowen (Randwick), 7. Phil Waugh# [c] (Sydney University), 8. Wycliff Palu (Manly), 9. Brett Sheehan (Warringah) , 10. Daniel Halangahu (Sydney University), 11. Lote Tuqiri (West Harbour), 12. Kurtley Beale (Northern Suburbs), 13. Timana Tahu (West Harbour) , 14. Peter Playford (Sydney University), 15. Lachie Turner (Eastwood)
Reserves
16. Damien Fitzpatrick (Eastwood), 17. Sekope Kepu (Randwick), 18. Chris Thomson (Warringah), 19. Luke Doherty^ (Manly), 20. Luke Burgess (Sydney University), 21. Matt Carraro (Randwick), 22. Tom Carter (Sydney University) ,

* 50th NSW Rugby Cap
^ 50th Super Rugby Cap
# 108th Super Rugby Cap (NSW record; Chris Whitaker 107)[/b]

 

[QLD]

Beale and Tahu in the centres. Cheetahs could have a field day if they target these two in attack.

 

[munross]

Cheetahs 3-15 Waratahs with just over 10 minutes to go, looking good for the 'Tahs

 

[munross]

Halangahu slots a penalty to move the score up to Cheetahs 3-18 Waratahs, 4 minutes to play.

 

[munross]

Finally a try for the Cheetahs in the 78th minute, Jonker scores and Naas Olivier converts

Cheetahs 10-18 Waratahs

 

[Haj]

Fell asleep after halftime sometime.
So much for unleashing the backline and gunning for bonus points.
Some of the waratah forwards are still unwilling to pass the ball on to the backs.

 

[Maccaweeny]

They never said they were going for bonus points, it was just obvious they need to pick up a few. In fact I remember Turner saying that they were just focusing on winning the game first.

Never let the facts get in the way of a good ***** though. You BLR and Fushi should form a knitting circle.

 

[Haj]

Whats wrong with knitting?

 

[Wally]

SO BORING

 

[BLR]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Maccaweeny @ May 2 2009, 10:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Never let the facts get in the way of a good ***** though. You BLR and Fushi should form a knitting circle.[/b]

We do actually have a book club. This weeks book is that one by Paris Hilton, it's amazing!

 

[Maccaweeny]

Ahahahah ****.