Drotské: How Cheetahs beat WP
Sat, 28 Aug 2010 09:14
Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské pointed to his team's tactics, discipline and defence as prime reasons for the Free Staters' 29-24 win over Western Province in their Currie Cup match at Newlands on Friday.
"We needed that," said Drotské after the game. "We've had a difficult season so far. We've lost two games through our own fault when we were two tries ahead with six minutes to play. We put ourselves under a lot of pressure."
Clearly elated at his team's triumph, the coach added: "Any win at Newlands is very special."
Drotské attributed the Cheetahs victory to their tactical approach, their discipline in not conceding penalties, and their defence.
"I thought we were tactically good.
"Before the game we said our discipline would have to be very good with Willem de Waal [playing for Western Province]. No one knows Willem de Waal better than us.
"I thought our discipline at breakdown was very good in the first half - conceding few penalties, as we planned. And from the penalties we got, Louis Strydom kicked points brilliantly.
"And our defence...we were in their faces for 80 minutes."
Drotské felt that the Cheetahs had given some teams too much space to attack this season and their aim against WP had been to be 'in the face' of the attackers. This had helped to secure turnover ball and allowed the Free Staters to launch attacks when the Province defensive systems had been disrupted.
"Slowly but surely we're getting right what we're trying to achieve," Drotské said. "The players have bought into this and hopefully we can play with the same intensity for the rest of the season."
Cheetahs captain Adriaan Strauss said his players had looked closely at shortcomings in their first round defeat to WP and knew they had to improve on their performance in line-outs and scrums. The players had made a "huge step-up" and the forwards had given the backs a good platform to use the ball.
Strauss said the players had put a particular focus on the breakdown in recent weeks and this had paid off for the Cheetahs.
Now third on the log behind the Sharks and Western Province, the Cheetahs next match is on Friday against Griquas in Kimberley.
By Len Kaplan
Contact Us | Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Advertising
