Defensive Cheetahs please Naka
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The most pleasing aspect of the Cheetahs' win against the Sharks for coach Naka Drotske was the turn around in their defence.
The Cheetahs over the years have been notorious for leaking tries (throwing away a massive half-time lead against the Chiefs last year to draw the game in Bloemfontein), but this game against the Sharks showed a different side to the team.
The Sharks managed to claw their way into a position to win the match with a try in the last couple of minutes, but it was the Cheetahs' intensity in defence that kept the opposition out for over 22 phases.
For coach Drotske, this is what excited him the most.
"The most pleasing thing for me was the intensity of defence, we have worked really hard on it since mid-November last year," the coach said.
"We spend about 60 percent of our time on one-on-one hits in order to be more physical, we want more double-hits and it really paid off tonight [Saturday].
"We are very happy about the defence."
Another aspect that the Cheetahs are not famed for, yet impressed on the night with, was their tactical kicking.
Again the coach had praise for his team – but especially for new flyhalf Joe Pietersen.
"I thought we played well, especially tactically, we did almost let it slip in the end when we were leading with 13 points," Drotske added.
"We should have finished them off but there was some great character shown, especially in the last seven or eight minutes.
"Joe Pietersen made a real difference to us, he is really calm and he brings a lot of experience.
"I thought tactically he and Willie le Roux really kicked well and kept them under pressure – especially in the first half; second half we lost a little momentum but I think the defence pulled us through in the end."
Drotske was able to pinpoint the difference between his team of last year – who had a dismal season – and this year's crop, stating again that it was the defensive intensity and mindset.
"The biggest difference between this year and last year was our work-rate on defence," Drotske said.
"That has been our focus in all our drills in the off season.
"We want to get a mindset of intensity and workforce in defence and it really worked well."
By Darryn Pollock
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