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Cheetahs 'took Clermont close to a dark place'
By Rugby365
The Cheetahs took three-time Challenge Cup winners Clermont close to a dark place in their Challenge Cup Round of 16 encounter in France on Saturday but the sands of time caught up with them.
That is the opinion of their new head coach Izak van der Westhuizen, who revealed the last couple of week have been tough as they battled niggling injuries.
The Cheetahs were trailing 3-20 at half-time before they started their fightback, spurred on by the introduction of flank Siba Qoma, who grabbed two quick tries in the second half.
Their fightback resulted in three tries in the final quarter of the game and one had the feeling if they had another ten minutes to go, the result could’ve gone either way.
“Technically we weren’t quite there, we made a couple of technical errors. But those are things we can work on and figure out,” Van der Westhuizen commented after the game.
“Overall I think we took Clermont close to a dark place there at the end. Would have loved it if we could’ve pulled off a win.
“You could see they play for each other and they fought for each other. So I want to commend the players for that and I want to applaud them for their effort.”
Van der Westhuizen touched on the challenges they endured over the last couple of week having to juggle two competitions, the SA Cup and the Challenge Cup, while they haven’t really had proper opposition in their build-up.
“It’s been a tough couple of days, couple of weeks, trying to get a settled squad. The moment you bank on one then you’ve got a niggle or an injury.
“We had to make a late replacement in the week on props and we had to make a replacement just before the game with Reinhardt [Fortuin] who had an injury.
“I think the guys that slotted in did a very good job, it just shows how adaptable they are and that we have created a little bit of depth with regards to guys who are coming off the bench and still being able to play,” the coach added.
He said the biggest difference was playing at this level week in and week out, adding: “The difference between SA Cup and EPCR is massive and being able to make that step-up takes a little bit of time to get used to.
“So I think for us that will always be the challenge. We have to try and train in a way that simulates that, which is very difficult.
“But there are quality players and you could see there’s a lot of fight and effort from the guys which is all you can ask for as a coach.”
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Latest Comments
No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson. And Eddie Jones.
Sometimes it doesn't work out so you have to go looking for another national coach who supports his country and believes in what he is doing. Like NZ replacing Ian Foster. And South Africa bringing Erasmus back in to over see Neinbar.
This is the real world. Not the fantasy oh you don't need passion for your country for international rugby. Ask a kiwi, or a south african or a frenchman.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
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