RugbyShout

 Phew! How do you score the performances in a game like that!! At half time I was throwing around 8s and 9s all over the place. A couple of minutes to go until full time and the 5s and 6s were coming out. So I gave myself some time, took a breath, and started again.

But what a game! I know it’s been covered elsewhere, but wowza. Full credit to the Wallabies for fighting back and securing the last gasp win. When was the last time we had one of those?

One quick observation to make, what an impact from the bench! Hopefully this encourages Deans to keep using them because almost to a man (except for one notable exception) they all added something significantly when they came on. And so… to the ratings!

15 Kurtley Beale: Thought he had a really good first half, and then ruined it with some absolute shockers in the 2nd, including the falcon and that shocking pass from scrumhalf. But this kid picks himself off the floor and comes back better. The cover tackle following his alcon showed this, But the MATCH WINNING KICK FROM 50M OUT showed it even more. That’s what you want. Guys who WANT to stand up and make the bigs plays - 8.

14 James O’Connor: A very dangerous game. Looking Cory Jane-like now on the wing, which I think is what Deans was after. A real weapon for the Wallabies. Quieter in the 2nd, but didn’t get the opportunities - 7.

13 Adam Ashley- Cooper: I thought he was outstanding. Back to his best after a disapointing last run. He really lead the Wallaby defense, at least out wide, and whilst he took the risk in running out of the line, he timed it beautifully most of the time. Nice aggressive straight running too which is what this backline needs - 8.

12 Matt Giteau: Some people may not agree, but I thought this was his best game of the season. Underplayed his hand a little, which I think must be done sometimes when you have Cooper, Beale and JOC around you. I thought he really played maturely in the 2nd half, when some of those younger players were starting to lose direction – 7.

11 Drew Mitchell: Much like JOC, looked very dangerous in the first half and really attacked the line. A poor dropped ball early in that 2nd stanza was a big set back for the Wallabies, but ended with running a fine line inside Berrick for the last try of the game – 7.

10 Quade Cooper: QC is one who’s rating suffered due to the 2nd half. I had him down as a 9 after the first 40. He was totally in control and even pulled off a rip snorter of a hit, on De Villiers was it?  However, when it went a little pear shaped in the 2nd, so did Quade and test teams rely on their flyhalf to maintain control. So the poor kick offs, the pushed passes, the weak tackles. Not good – 6.

9 Will Genia: I thought he was terrific and played his hand perfectly. Ran to great effect, kicked to great effect, but most importantly, passed to great effect. Beautiful long and accurate passes. Back one step closer to his very best - 7.

8 Ben McCalman:Got through a pile of work, as Richard Brown used to do. What I liked about him this game, is that he showed that level of intensity and aggression that Brown seems to lack. Everything was done with great intent. A very good run on debut – 7.

7 David Pocock: How close was this to the perfect game? Maybe a penalty or two away from it. Am I over the top here? I thought he was far and away the best player on the field, for the whole game. Came up with so many big plays and again demonstrated his leadership qualities within the team – 9 and G&GR Man of the Match.

6 Rocky Elsom: Another who produced their best game of the season. Ran a little wide enabled, perhaps, by of the good work down by McCalman in tight. Ran nice angles, which is a real strength, but was busy in defense too. Lapsed a little in the 2nd, but a promising return to form – 7.

5 Nathan Sharpe: Another productive game for the veteran but I still can’t get over the debacle that was the Vic Matfield break in the lead up to Jaque Fourie’s try. Sharpe and Chisholm were just caught out and it was a real turning point - 6.

4 Mark Chisholm: Perhaps I missed a lot of his grunt work? Perhaps I was just too caught up in the moment to see all the valuable ‘invisible’ work he did? Regardless, I didn’t see it. I thought he was sadly anonymous - 5.

3 Salesi Ma’afu: Was only on for 20 odd minutes. Was busy but ineffectual – 3.

2 Stephen Moore: A look back on Moore’s test form over the last couple years provokes the question why he wasn’t in the starting side more often this year, now back from injury. An unheralded leader in the team, he provides great impact and composure to the pack. A very good game – 7.

1 Benn Robinson: Another very busy game by Fat Cat. Not as dominant in the scrum as he would like to have been, but I think that’s a pack issue rather than an individual one. A very astute player who reads the game so well and is able to judge the right option most of the time - 7.

16 Saia Faingaa: A what you could describe as an ‘unfortunate’ impact from the bench. A stupid and dangerous tackle led to a deserved Yellow Card. As the commentary team suggested though, it lead to the Wallabies lifting their game and arguably won them the match - 1.

17 James Slipper: Came on much earlier than he would have anticipated and worked hard. The scrum wasn’t entirely solid, but he was prominent around the field and has impressive mobility for a big lad – 6.

18 Dean Mumm: Had just under half an hour I believe. Didn’t have a massive impact – 5.

19 Richard Brown: Actually provided some impact from the bench, which is the place from which he has produced his best Wallaby performances - 6.

20 Luke Burgess: Now THIS was the replacement that should encourage Deans to use the bench more. Burgo was fantastic when he came on.  He definitely raised the intensity and provided a legitimate impact on both teams. Excellent - 7.

21 Berrick Barnes: Another very positive impact from the bench with a beautiful pass forthe Mitchell try and an important kick – 6.

22 Anthony Faingaa: Was on for less than 10 minutes and made a couple of composed strng runs and not much more – 5.

All in all a excellent, and record breaking win, for a developing Wallaby team that we should embrace and celebrate. Now…to step up again next week v the All Blacks.

Ratings Scale:

10 – A legendary performance to go down in the history books
9 – Outstanding performance: Man of the match shoo-in
8 – Excellent all round game
7 – Good game with a few sparkles
6 – Solid performance
5 – Average – ho hum
4 – Below par
3 – Had a bad game
2 – Tell your story walking pal
1 – A complete joke

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Western province notched up an away win in the first-round Currie Cup match against the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Western province notched up an away win in the first-round Currie Cup match against the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Western province notched up an away win in the first-round Currie Cup match against the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

The seasoned wing Frikkie Welsh has been called up to bolster the Western Province Currie Cup team which makes its 2010 season debut against the Cheetahs, in Bloemfontein, on Saturday.

Juan Smith renewed his contract with the Free State Rugby Union, citing pride and business interests as his reasons.

The 28-year-old Smith owns a butchery in Bloemfontein and also farms with cattle between Bloemfontein and Kimberley.

Smith’s agent, Stephan Weyers, confirmed on Thursday that the Lions and Sharks were interested in signing him.

A number of offers from overseas were also on the table, but the Cheetahs captain did not want to risk jeopardising his Springbok career by accepting one of those prior to the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.

“He signed a contract for a further two years with the Cheetahs. Juan also has a Springbok contract that runs until the end of next year. One can only admire his loyalty,” said Weyers.

“Every year he receives offers for more than double his annual salary (against what he earns at the Cheetahs). The Cheetahs are privileged to have such a leader.”

Smith’s decision follows a recent announcement by the Cheetahs that Springbok tighthead prop CJ van der Linde will play for them in the Currie Cup.

Unfortunately for the Cheetahs, Van der Linde may be one of the Boks the South African Rugby Union would like to see rested during the Currie Cup, but may well be available for a possible semifinal and final.

Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské believes that the decisions by Smith and Van der Linde can lure a number of other players to the team, as well as convince local stars to stick around in the region.

Smith made his Currie Cup debut for the Cheetahs in 2002 when he formed a loose forward combination with Rassie Erasmus and André Venter.

Smith has represented the Boks in 62 Tests and should be available for the home Tri-Nations Tests against the Wallabies and All Blacks following his recent groin operation.

Source: sport24.co.za

Dancing Queen

Cheetahs 29 Western Force 14

The Cheetah’s Bjorn Basson scored a brace of tries as the Force bumbled their way to a defeat in Bloemfontein last night.

They looked every bit a bottom of the table team with their lack of ball security a major issue as they succumbed to Cheetah’s pressure.

Every one of the Cheetah’s four tries was caused by either a Force mistake or poor execution with a subsequent turnover. Unfortunately one of the main offenders was Force debutant Justin Turner.

His inexperience was cruelly exposed on a number of occasions (especially at the back of the scrum) and this resulted in at least two of the tries.

I’d imagine he’d be feeling rather dispirited but the reality is he’ll be better player for the experience and his talent is obvious.

The Cheetahs were operating on a different level than we’ve seen over recent times and with now two consecutive wins, a third is in the offing when they take on the Lions next week.

Apart from a Ryan Cross try in the 20th min, the first half was dominated by a rampant Cheetahs who used their backline to its fullest to attack from everywhere.

In a sensational start to the match, a poor Turner pass to David Hill’s bootstraps was spilt and jumped on by Man of the Match, scrumhalf Sarel Pretorious. A great offload to Naas Olivier saw him sprinting 35m to score.

Next up, Pretorious pressured Turner at a Force defensive scrum 5m out from their line and in the subsequent fumble picked it up and dived over (14-0).

The Cheetahs were using their forwards to attack in pods and this proved effective in drawing in the defensive screen.

Cross’s try came in the 20th min and was actually the first opportunity the Force had had in the match to attack in the Cheetah’s red zone.

Who needs Izzy? In the 24th min Olivier put up the bomb and Bjorn ‘Super Trouper’ Basson tore after it and soured high Cazaly-like to snatch the pill from a waiting Nick Cummins.

Darling can't you hear me SOS

As he sprinted off to score under the poles Cummins was left bemused with a ‘that ball’ expression that Mike Gatting would have been proud of….

But wait, that’s not all. In a ‘Mamma Mia, here I go again’ moment, the Force made another error on attack in the Cheetahs 22m. The ball ended up with fullback Hennie Danilla, who compensates for his lack of agility by possessing the biggest boot in world rugby. He’s the Roger Gould of the Super 14 (in torpedo terms at least).

He hammered the pill to the other end of the park and Bjorn took off like a Springbok. The only Force player challenging was Nathan Charles, who possesses a fair turn of pace for a front ranker.

Charles sort of won the sprint (he had a Stawell Gift-like head start) but couldn’t control the ball. Bjorn picked it up and scored…..and the winner takes it all.

Halftime 26-7. The Force actually had most of the possession in the half but couldn’t really get any momentum going over the gain line.

In the 2nd half the Cheetahs closed it down a bit and gave the ball plenty of air. Unfortunately, the Force kicking game was poor in comparison and every time the aimless kicks landed in Daniller’s arms it ended up in touch on the wrong side of halfway and beyond. Man, can he hoof that ball!

The Cheetahs scored another try by replacement Demas in the 63rd min but it was disallowed due to some foul play. A penalty by Olivier finished the Cheetah’s scoring at 29 points.

Despite lots of trying (and making lots of mistakes) the Force only had a David Pocock try (it looked like Matt Hodgson) to speak of – a quick tap taken 5m out.

The stats said the Cheetahs spent 62% of the game in the Force half and that probably sums it up, although interestingly they made double the number of tackles (107) than their opponents. Plenty of possession to the Force in the 2nd half but the Cheetahs defence was just rock solid.

For the Force, David Pocock was outstanding. He had the most carries on the day and tackled himself to a standstill. His loose forward partners (Brown and Hodgson) were also productive, as was Nathan Sharpe.

Mitch Inman was the pick of the backs in a day when they all looked a bit ordinary. Inman was a hard man to stop with ball in hand and did a lot of link work. Rabbit O’Connor tried a bit too hard to spark a revival but there was just no way through.

Tucky Dunning got on for his 100th Super 14 match but it’s not one that will bring too many happy memories flooding back.

For the Cheetahs, Juan Smith was a tower of strength and led by example. Scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius was a deserved MOTM and I really liked the look of young Philip Van der Walt at eighth-man.

The Force were very disappointing in Bloemfontein considering some of their sterling efforts over recent matches. It was all over by halftime and you could hear the drums, Fernando….

Wallaby Watch

Put his hand up: David Pocock. Bam is head and shoulders over most other No 7’s in the country and was just so dominant in this game.

Did himself no favours: Justin Turner. Its early days in his career so I wouldn’t worry too much about it but had a ‘Barry Crocker’ behind the scrum.

Bolter watch: Mitch Inman. Reminds me a little of Lachlan MacKay(currently at Brive) with his big, loping running style. He’ll develop into something special.