RUGBY/ LIONS TOUR: Cheetahs v The Lions: FREE STATE Cheetahs' coach Naka Drotske succinctly summed up the challenge the Lions can expect in the heartland of Afrikaner rugby when he ventured: "We will get in their faces for 80 minutes and do our utmost to stop them getting momentum."
The terminology might be sports generic but there is no doubting the sentiment. The Cheetahs will hit hard and often, making the game a bruising physical contest in which tempers may fray. This game is potentially the most difficult for the tourists because, while teams like the Sharks and Western Province have lost significant numbers to the Springboks squad, the Cheetahs are missing only Juan Smith and Jongi Nokwe.
Drotske would have expected to be without openside flanker Heinrich Broussow but he was deemed surplus to requirement by South African coach Peter de Villiers when he trimmed down his squad. It’s fair to say the player whom his coach described as “one of the best opensides in the world”, will relish the chance to prove a point or two today.
The Cheetahs finished last in the Super 14, winning just two matches, albeit one was against the Crusaders. They spent most of the season trying to cauterise a backline that haemorrhaged tries.
This could be a fertile ground for the Lions’ backs, who may lack a little in terms of physical stature and experience, but are long on ability. Leigh Halfpenny and Luke Fitzgerald make their respective bows in the red jersey at right wing and centre. Fitzgerald will fill the slightly less familiar role of inside centre alongside compatriot Keith Earls.
Lions coach Ian McGeechan explained: “His preference is actually at centre but Luke is a player we’ll look to switch positions with, like Joe Worsley. It allows us that bit of flexibility. Nonetheless, Luke will get an opportunity to play on the wing.”
The Scot also pointed out that he had no qualms about re-introducing Earls to the starting team after a difficult opening 20 minutes in the first match of the tour. “He’s been outstanding. He’s put a lot of work into his rehab and everything he’s done has not just been professional, it’s been first class. I never expected anything less.”
McGeechan has spoken about allowing everyone a start and true to his word, he has handed James Hook the number 10 jersey, with Ronan O’Gara on the bench.
The Irish outhalf is joined there by Gordon D’Arcy, who trained yesterday without any adverse effects to altitude, having arrived on Wednesday morning and will not be content to just make up the numbers. “I’m obviously out here to fill in for the players who have been injured but if I carry my form in you never know what can happen,” he said. It will be a massive test for the Lions backs but provided they can stand up physically the tourists should continue on their winning ways.
FREE STATE CHEETAHS: H Daniller; D Demas, C Uys, M Bosman, JW Jonker; JL Potgieter, T de Bruyn; W du Preez, A Straas, K Calldo; N Breedt, D de Villiers; H Broussow, F Uys, H Scholtz. Replacements: R Strauss, WP Nel, F Viljoen, K Floors, G Odendaal, L Strydom, F Juries.
LIONS: L Byrne(Wales); L Halfpenny(Wales), K Earls(Ireland), L Fitzgerald(Ireland), S Williams(Wales); J Hook(Wales), H Ellis(England); A Sheridan(England), R Ford(Scotland), E Murray(Scotland); D O'Callaghan(Ireland), P O'Connell(Ireland, capt); S Ferris(Ireland), J Worsley(England), A Powell(Wales). Replacements: M Rees(Wales), A Jones(Wales), S Shaw(England), N Hines(Scotland), M Blair(Scotland), R O'Gara(Ireland), G D'Arcy(Ireland).
Referee: W Barnes(England).
