Franco starting from the bottom

 

Smith started his tenure as Cheetahs coach by naming an inexperienced side to face the defending Super Rugby champion Waratahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday, with four players who featured in his Varsity Cup champion Shimlas side set to make their debut's.

 

However, his hand has been forced somewhat with the Griquas players not available for the final two rounds due to upcoming Currie Cup qualifiers and some senior players set to depart at the end of the season, and Smith says that his selection does not mean that they are not taking the Waratahs game seriously.

 

"I had to make a decision, obviously I don't take the two games lightly and we still need to play and give it our best shot, but I had to pick the best available players and look at continuity as well as change.

 

"Joe Pietersen is leaving and Willie Britz is going to Japan so I was left basically without much choice, although I am excited to give the young guys a chance who have been working with me for a long time already – since October last year.

 

"I think it is a good opportunity for them to show that they can step up to the next level," he told rugby365 in an exclusive interview.

 

This move also shows that he is serious about changing direction at the Cheetahs from the word go, as this is largely the side that will do duty in the Currie Cup this season.

 

"A lot of the guys will be available in the Currie Cup, so that is the type of team we will see, there will be other guys pushing hard as well like Johann Sadie and some of the other guys coming in," he said.

 

Smith's vision is to develop a stronger group of players without relying on a handful of Springboks at the expense of squad depth as the Cheetahs have in recent times, and he pointed to the Lions success this season as a good example of what he would like to achieve.

 

"I think the Lions' way is excellent and will produce Springboks and I think there are ways of keeping those guys by winning and playing a brand where the sponsors and everyone is happy, that is more important than just investing in four or five guys.

 

"My idea is to invest a little bit more in broadening the base of players, the rugby that is played now you are looking at 28 to 35 hard games a season.

 

"To stay creative and fresh throughout you need more players and you need more equipped players to give you the confidence to make changes like that.

 

"We will have to look at dividing our budget a bit better and contracting more players, but still the type of player that is loyal to Free State," he explained.

 

Smith believes that the Cheetahs can play the expansive style that Free State rugby has always been known for while still developing a winning culture, which he says can only be achieved with proper depth which is why he has been working closely with the likes of Grey College and Shimlas to ensure that players coming through the ranks are comfortable with that brand of rugby.

 

"I am interested in playing a different brand that will be something to look at and something you can associate with but also with a winning culture.

 

"We have to create that type of player and you can't do it at the execution part at the top level, you have to start right at the bottom.

 

"I decided last year after the Currie Cup to get Grey [College] involved and develop new players that can play that style of rugby that everybody wants to see.

 

"That is why I got involved with the Shimlas, they were obviously very keen and the players wored hard at it and I think the type of play we saw in the Varsity Cup is what we are aiming to produce.

 

"When the players are more comfortable with the ball in hand they tend to play to all their strengths, not just certain strengths.

 

"The Free State is made for that type of rugby, we just have to equip the players and skill them at a junior level so that once they come out the top end it is not risk rugby but more execution-based," he added.