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Preview: Cheetahs v Highlanders
Sportal.co.nz - (26/02/2010)
It's a tough assignment for the Highlanders after their tough game with the Blues and the Cheetahs are already riding high after their win over the Sharks in the Rebel Sport Super 14.
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 5 – Cheetahs 1, Highlanders 4.
LAST TIME: March 21, 2009 (Dunedin) – Highlanders 32-8 Cheetahs.
LAST TIME AT VENUE: May 2, 2008 – Cheetahs 28-31 Highlanders.
WALKING WOUNDED: The Cheetahs have named exactly the same 22 as recorded that memorable win at Durban, which is only a fair reward for the players.
FORM:
PAST FIVE Cheetahs:
Round 1: Lost to Bulls 34-51
Round 2: Beat Sharks 25-20
PAST FIVE Highlanders:
Round 1: Lost to Crusaders 17-32
Round 2: Lost to Blues 15-19
With only one win between them so far, neither of these sides has looked anything other than a mid-table battler and it would take a miraculous turnaround for either to threaten the four. That said, the Cheetahs do at least have the satisfaction of beating the Sharks at Durban last week, while the Highlanders threatened for a while last Friday before a fluky Blues try was followed by a good one within minutes and the halftime lead was lost. One suspects fans of both teams are gearing up for a normal season, with more losses than wins and quite a few ‘If onlys’.
WHO'S HOT: The Cheetahs have received staunch service from a decent pack of forwards and few present a bigger threat to the Highlanders set pieces that David de Villiers, a lock most international teams would welcome. The loose trio, led by Juan Smith, is as good as any and there’s plenty of speed out wide where Jongi Nokwe and Danwel Demas can turn half a metre into 50 or more quickly. The Highlanders also rate their set pieces, where a steady scrum is matched by a competitive lineout and how Tom Donnelly fares will be important for the visitors. Michael Hobbs does some good things at first-five, but normally as a solo operation and the backline is yet to gel. So far we have seen little of Ben Smith; if he can get any usable ball he will be a threat.
WE THINK: The Cheetahs have not beaten the Highlanders since their return to this competition in 2006, but we think that will change this week. The locals can only be buoyed by their effort at Durban and the Highlanders also have the travel to overcome, so we’ll give it to the Cheetahs by 5-10 points in what could be a bright match.
TEAMS:
Cheetahs: 1.Wian du Preez, 2.Adriaan Strauss, 3.WP Nel, 4.Nico Breedt, 5.David de Villiers, 6.Heinrich Brussow, 7.Juan Smith (captain), 8.Frans Viljoen, 9.Tewis de Bruyn, 10.Naas Olivier, 11.Jongi Nokwe, 12.Meyer Bosman, 13.Lionel Mapoe, 14.Danwel Demas, 15.Riaan Viljoen.
Reserves: 16.Ryno Barnes, 17.Corne Oosthuizen, 18.Walti Vermeulen, 19.Ashley Johnson, 20.Sarel Pretorius, 21.Sias Ebersohn, 22.Hennie Daniller.
Highlanders: 1.Jamie Mackintosh, 2.Jason Rutledge, 3.Clint Newland, 4.Josh Bekhuis, 5.Tom Donnelly, 6.John Hardie, 7.Alando Soakai, 8.Adam Thomson, 9.Jimmy Cowan (captain), 10.Michael Hobbs, 11.Fetu'u Vainikolo, 12.Jason Shoemark 13.Kenny Lynn, 14.Ben Smith, 15.Israel Dagg.
Reserves: 16.Jason MacDonald, 17.Chris King, 18.Hayden Triggs, 19.Tim Boys, 20.Sean Romans, 21.Robbie Robinson, 22.Fetu'u Vainikolo.
REFEREE: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
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