In the war of words Naka Drotske said “It’s our season for firsts”
SuperSport
Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske has sent out a clear warning to the Bulls ahead of this weekend’s Super Rugby showdown in Bloemfontein – don’t expect any respect from the hosts.
A victory for either side would go a long way to staking a massive claim for the conference title and with it the spoils of a home playoff game, something which is massive with the way the playoff system is lopsided in favour of home teams.
But with the Bulls unbeaten in their last six games, and brimming with confidence after a win in Durban against the Sharks, the Cheetahs know they need to up the ante in order to upset the three-time champions.
One of those ways, according to Drotske, is to ensure his team “shows no respect” to the Bulls when they get out onto the park, and to remind the visitors that they are on foreign soil when the game starts.
The Cheetahs lost in the first game between the two sides 26-20 at Loftus Versfeld, and Drotske is looking to reverse that result as his side continue to impress and enjoy their best season ever in Super Rugby.
Drotske said he had told his team that the Bulls should be shown no respect when they get to the Free State Stadium.
“We didn’t lose at Loftus because we gave them too much respect. They are a good team and you have to play them well tactically. We discussed it this morning and we decided we shouldn’t give them any respect,” Drotske said.
“Both teams have nine wins in the competition. They’ve got a few world class players and so do we. They’ve got a few up and coming young players who will play for South Africa and we do as well. There is no reason to give them too much respect, we’re playing in Bloem. And in Bloemfontein we back ourselves against any team.
“We’ve beaten many big teams in Bloemfontein in the past. So, no we won’t give them too much respect. But they are playing clever rugby and we will have to match that.”
The Cheetahs know that the history books favor the Bulls and in the 11 games between them since 2006 at this level the Cheetahs have never beaten the Pretoria side.
But that means nothing to this team, he reiterated, and if the Bulls want to continue that trend they will have a fight on their hands. This season the Cheetahs have broken so many ducks before that the historical contest means very little to the side ahead of this game.
“It’s our season for firsts. We had never beaten the Stormers before this year, we had never won three games on tour and we have never been fourth on the log before,” Drotske explained.
“The players have the confidence, but in my opinion the history between teams doesn’t play any part in the game. If you take the Rebels, they had not beaten a South African team in 13 matches and then they beat the Stormers. Rugby is a funny game and in this competition there are surprises.”
While the game is the undoubted big match-up of the weekend, and will settle the power struggle in the South African conference, the Cheetahs have already come a long way this season and are currently enjoying being talked about as playoff hopefuls with just a few games of league play left.
There is no secret how the Bulls play, and the Cheetahs know that all too well. Respect is one thing, but they will have to play smart rugby in the right areas to do that.
Naka and staff makes this a Rubicon game. Hope they dont forget about the rest. How they handle the rest of the season is more important. Hope they plan beyond this game. I just get this feeling that the big fuss about this game might hurt them if they lose.
Juan Smith
Saturday’s match with the Bulls in Bloemfontein has been billed as a mini final, for whoever comes out on top will have the inside track to the conference title when Super Rugby resumes after the international break.
“It’s always a big physical battle against the Bulls, so the guys will know what’s coming,” said Smith.
“But if there’s one week where I truly believe the Cheetahs will get one over the Bulls it’s this week. They’re playing winning rugby and, as I’ve said, the belief is there.”
There is no doubt in Smith’s mind the key to victory will come down to the team that is most disciplined.
“You know when you’re up against the Bulls that you can’t afford to give away penalties in your own half.
“Morné Steyn will kick them all over and you then have to play catch-up.
n Paar anhalings uit die Volksblad volg. Duidelik heers Toetskoors in Bloem
Die vraag is of die Cheetahs minder gaan skop om die Bulle se lynstane te vermy of eerder hul dryfmaalbewegings sal trotseer?
“Dit is ’n moeilike besluit om te neem. Ons het reeds die besluit geneem, maar ek kan natuurlik nie sê wat dit is nie,” het Drotské gesê.
“Wat die Bulle goed maak is dat hulle dryf as jy die bal uitskop. Dit is een van hul groot wapens.
“Skop jy nie uit nie, dan skop hulle lugskoppe terug en het hulle vir Bjorn Basson en Lionel Mapoe wat waarskynlik twee van die beste spelers ter wêreld in die lug is.
“Jy kan nie verby dit kom nie. Een van die twee móét jy iewers trotseer.”
Praatjies dat die Cheetahs die beste kans in jare het om die Bulle vir die eerste te klop, skeel hom en Pierre Spies min.
“Ons dink nie daaraan nie,” het Spies gesê. En bygevoeg dat hulle bewus is daarvan dat hierdie wedstryd vir albei spanne geweldig belangrik is.
“Maar dit is nie soos ons om sommetjies te maak nie. Ons jaag nie ligapunte nie, maar ’n proses, wat ’n week vir week-fokus verg.
“Ek weet ons sê dit gereeld, maar as jy jou fokus op die verkeerde goed sit, gaan dinge langs die pad vir jou verkeerd loop.”
Volgens Drotské is Brüssow veel meer as net ’n baljagter vir sy span. Hy is ’n hoeksteen van die Cheetahs se sukses tot dusver dié seisoen.
Drotské het gesê daar skort niks meer met die yster-flank se dissipline nie, hy het slegs 9 strafskoppe in 11 wedstryde afgestaan, volgens http://www.foxsports.com.au.
Volgens Drotské kies ’n breier egter spelers wat by sy spelpatroon inpas.
Meyer glo nie in baljagters nie en verkies groter fisieke flanke in sy span.
“Elke afrigter het sy eie idees en speelstyl. Heyneke is ’n meer konserwatiewe ou en verkies ’n skop-spelpatroon. Hy glo nie aan ouens wat balle steel nie. Ek sal beslis vir Heinrich kies. Ek glo daaraan om nie net balle te steel nie, maar ook om jou teenstanders se balle stadig te maak,” het Drotské gesê.
“Daar is ’n wanpersepsie dat Heinrich net ’n baljagter is. Dis nie waar nie. Die enigste aspek van die spel waarin hy nie uitblink nie, is die lynstaan.”
Meyer het juis in die week hierna verwys en gesê hy verkies losvoorspelers wat ook suksesvol in die lynstane aangewend kan word.
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