Preview: Currie Cup, Round Nine
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:58
The 'musical chairs' at the top of the Currie Cup standings is set to continue this week, when last year's finalists - the Lions and Cheetahs - go head-to-head in a Round Nine match in Johannesburg on Friday.
The top of the standings has changed every week for the past month and, unless there is a draw, either the Lions or Cheetahs will overtake the Blue Bulls in first place on Friday.
With just three points separating the top four teams - the Bulls are on 29 points, followed by the Sharks (28), Cheetahs (27) and Lions (26) - this mad dash for the top will continue in the weeks to come.
Whilst the battle at the top of the log continues to get more intense with each passing week, the fight to avoid relegation at the end of the season is also already gaining some momentum.
This week sees Griquas play host to the Falcons on Saturday - the game was rescheduled from 15.00 to 17.00 to allow fans to watch the Test between South Africa and Australia - with the home team in desperate need of a victory to stay in touch with the self-same Falcons and the Boland Cavaliers – both of whom are on 13 log points, just four ahead of Griquas.
Whilst it is easy to follow only what happens at the top of the Absa Currie Cup log, the battle at the bottom between the Griquas, Boland Cavaliers and the Falcons could just end up being the real highlight of the season. While just four points separates the bottom three sides, Western Province - just another four points ahead of them – are in danger of joining the relegation battle if their poor form continue.
This weekend Griquas and the Falcons get their first shot sat easing their relegation concerns. WP have a bye and can only watch from afar.
We take a look at this weekend's matches - first half of Round Nine, with the other two Round Nine matches taking place next week.
Friday, August 22:
Lions v Free State
Cheetahs
Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg, 19.10 (17.10 GMT)
The Lions have been described as the 'form team' of the tournament, and not without reason. Their last two games saw them beating Western Province and the Blue Bulls, both deserved victories.
While their current from is in stark contrast to how they started the season, the Lions have indeed build up some momentum and again look a good bet for the play-offs.
However, it is not just a couple of recent wins, that make them dangerous. They play an exciting, but very effective, brand of rugby and have shown an ability to bounce back when the opposition looked like getting the upper hand.
Cheetahs flyhalf Chris Rossouw readily acknowledges the threat presented by the men from Johannesburg.
"They initially struggled to get the balance between an expansive game and percentage rugby," Rossouw told rugby365.com, when discussing the two teams' merits and their progress this season.
"At the moment their set pieces are very good and their attacking game and unpredictability have merged nicely," he said of the Lions, adding: "Their decision making, when to run and when to kick, they have also mastered now.
"That is why they are so dangerous now. That may have been a problem for them earlier in the season, but not anymore. One of their other big strengths is that they continue to fight right to the bitter end. All those things are coming together for them now and to beat them we will have to do our homework."
While not giving much away in terms of team tactics, the Cheetahs flyhalf felt that initially both teams may opt for a more structured game, before taking the expansive route later in the game.
"Yes, Free State [rugby teams] are known for their ability to play an expansive game. However, some of the new rules at the line-outs make it tough to play an attacking game from some set pieces, but we are working towards a better all-round game.
"You can't just play it out wide from the outset, you have to combine it with sound forward play, which we are working towards. If we get that mix right, we can play that expansive game," he added.
Prediction: This could be a cracker. Expect the first half to be slow and meticulous, with the odd burst of excitement. However, after the break the game will open up as both teams put their exciting backline talent on display. The Lions are at home and also more experienced in most key positions. We expect the Lions to win a try feast. The Lions by 10 to 15 points.
Teams:
Lions: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 Michael Killian, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Rayno Benjamin, 10 Earl Rose, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Willem Alberts, 7 Franco van der Merwe, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (captain), 5 Gerhard Mostert, 4 Anton van Zyl, 3 Lawrence Sephaka, 2 Willie
Wepener, 1 Heinke van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Ethienne Reynecke, 17 Ross Geldenhuys, 18 Ernst Joubert, 19 Justin Wheeler, 20 Chris Jonck, 21 Louis Strydom, 22 Jaco van Schalkwyk.
Free State Cheetahs: 15 Bevin Fortuin, 14 Wilton Pietersen, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Fabian Juries, 10 Chris Rossouw, 9 Tewis de Bruyn, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Kabamba Floors, 6 Hendro Scholtz (captain), 5 Barend Pieterse, 4 David de Villiers, 3 Kobus Calldo, 2 Richard Strauss, 1 Wian du Preez.
Replacements: 16 Riaan Kruger, 17 Phillip Lemmer, 18 Flip van der Merwe/Nico Breedt, 19 Schalk van der Merwe, 20 Neil Powell, 21 JW Jonker, 22 Jacques-Louis Potgieter.
Referee: Marius Jonker
Touch judges: Francois Veldsman, Peet Badenhorst
TMO: Michael Cupido
Saturday, August 23:
Griquas v Falcons
Absa
Park, Kimberley, 17.00 (15.00 GMT)
There will be no television cameras in Kimberley to capture the drama. The action will not be on one of the more glamorous stadiums of the country. In fact the game will almost be an afterthought to a few hundred diehards who will make the trip to the dust bowl that is Absa Park.
But the encounter will have all the drama of the more glamorous games that will have gone before this weekend.
The reason is simple.
These two teams are fighting for survival, as the team that is at the bottom of the standings at the end of the season will get involved in a promotion relegation game with the First Division winners.
Griquas, in last place, are having probably their worst season in a decade - a fact acknowledged by coach Dawie Theron.
"Injuries to key players have not helped our cause at all," Theron said.
But even he knows time is running out in the 'basement battle' and no amount of excuses will help. They simply have to start winning games.
Their game has mercifully been rescheduled to 17.00 - mainly because of the Springboks versus Wallabies Test at 15.00 - but as an added byproduct it could well be to the advantage to both sides, as the weather predicted for Saturday is hot, windy and dusty, with the temperature probably topping 28°C.
However, for Theron and company it will not be a walk in the park. The Falcons have been in fine form this season – with a 38-32 win over Western Province in mid-July proving just how dangerous they can be.
Falcons coach Rudy Joubert – who is resting his star scrumhalf Gerrie Odendaal this week – has opted for a five-two forwards/backs split on his replacements bench, indicating where he intends on attacking Griquas.
Prediction: This could be merciless and brutal, as has been many games in Kimberley. The key in this game is desire. Who wants it most. We think Griquas may just be desperate enough. Griquas to win by 10 points.
Teams:
Griquas: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Bjorn Basson, 13 Lafras Uys, 12 Herkie Kruger, 11 MJ Mentz, 10 Conrad Barnard, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Heinrich Stride, 7 Stephan Gerber, 6 Gareth Krause (captain), 5 Brendon Snyman, 4 Wayne van Heerden, 3 Ruaan du Preez, 2 Hans van Dyk, 1 Albertus Buckle.
Replacements: 16 James van der Walt, 17 Bees Roux, 18 Jacques Lombaard, 19 Rohan Kitshoff, 20 Dougie Helmuth, 21 Barry Geel, 22 Egon Seconds.
Falcons: 15 Nicky Kritzinger, 14 Dewald Pretorius, 13 Rouan Cloete, 12 Hanno Coetzee (captain), 11 Ernie Kruger, 10 Len Olivier, 9 Poerie van Rooyen, 8 Sean Plaatjies, 7 Emile Verster, 6 Warren Perkins, 5 Marius Coetzer, 4 Wouter Moore, 3 Nico Pretorius, 2 Jody Jeneker, 1 Rassie van Vuuren.
Replacements: 16 Frik Venter, 17 Rayno Barnes, 18 Ruhan van Jaarsveld, 19 Doepie du
Preez, 20 Dean Okkers, 21 Gerrie Odendaal, 22 Mpho Matsaung.
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan
Touch judges: Lourens van der Merwe, Archie Sehlako
