Cheetahs to 'get physical'
The Free State Cheetahs won't go into a defensive frame of mind, but they will lift the physical intensity of their game.
Needing just a solitary point to edge the Blue Bulls into the Currie Cup play-offs – in what is a knock-out game of sorts in Bloemfontein on Saturday – they will avoid playing for the bonus point (either for four tries or losing by seven points or less).
Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské said there is no question that his charges "must go for the win".
"If we get four points [for the win], we will be guaranteed third place, even if the Lions get five points [against Griquas]," Drotské told this website.
"So, if we get the four points we may just end up with a home Final – if three beats two [third-placed team beats the second side] and four beats one," the Cheetahs mentor said, looking ahead to the play-offs starting next week.
"No doubt we must go for the win, there is no question of us going into a defensive frame of mind.
"It would be a mistake to take that approach, we have to go out and play for the win."
Although the Bulls have struggled this season, with just three wins in nine starts, Drotské is adamant they will pose a huge threat on Saturday.
He is expecting a typical Bulls performance.
"You can't beat the Bulls if you are not very physical," Drotské told this website, adding: "You have to stop their rolling mauls.
"A lot of their attacks are based on the mauls.
"Their set pieces, scrums and line-outs, are also very good.
"We have to ensure the quality of their possession is poor and be very physical.
"They also prosper when they get momentum, so we will have to stop those one-off runners behind the advantage line."
The Cheetahs will be sticking to the game they have played all season, which means they will get expansive if the situation allows it.
"As the season progressed we changed a few things that did not work for us, but we will remain positive," the coach said.
"The biggest mistake we can make is to go into a defensive mode.
"We will take an attacking mindset into the game and look to win to ensure we can finish third."
By Jan de Koning
