Cheetahs ring the changes for Hurricanes clash

WRITER HEAD coach Naka Drotske has rung the changes to his side in an attempt to kick-start the Cheetahs’ Super Rugby challenge.

Poor defence and a lack of “respecting the ball” have been at the heart of the Cheetahs’ slow start to the 2014 season and Drotske is hoping his players will put things right when they face the unpredictable, but also battling, Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday.

The Cheetahs have won just once in four outings, while the Hurricanes have yet to pick up a win in their three matches.

Unlike last year when the Cheetahs’ defence was a standout feature of their run to the playoffs, Drotske’s men have leaked a number of tries so far. But it’s a start to the season that is not unlike what went down last year, especially in the early rounds.

“I’m not sure what it is with us starting so slowly, but it’s been the case for a while now. After our first three games last year we only had one win and five log points … the same as this year,” said Drotske yesterday.

And after suffering a humiliating 45-3 defeat to the Chiefs in Waikato in 2013, Drotske’s men hit back with back-to-back wins against the Highlanders, Waratahs and Western Force – all away from home – to set them up for the remainder of the competition.

“We need to eradicate the turn- overs and hold onto the ball,” said Drostke.

“We need to build an innings and not be so risky on attack … rather keep the ball through six to eight phases.”

Indeed, the Cheetahs have shown they can score tries – they got three against the Reds last weekend, but also conceded four.

Against the Hurricanes, who have once again been extremely disappointing, Drotske and Co will feel the Cheetahs have an excellent chance of returning to winning ways. To achieve this, the coach has made a few telling changes to the side.

The most significant selection is that of livewire and dangerous runner Sarel Pretorius at scrumhalf, in place of Shaun Venter. Pretorius will almost certainly ask more of the Hurricanes around the fringes of the rucks, mauls and scrums and his ability to pop up all over the field is well documented.

Also, with Raymond Rhule fit again, Willie le Roux moves to fullback, which will free the Springbok No 15 up to join the backline and make a greater impact than he does on the wing.

CHEETAHS 15-1: Willie le Roux, Cornal Hendricks, Johan Sadie, Francois Venter, Raymond Rhule, Johan Goosen, Sarel Pretorius, Philip van der Walt, Lappies Labuschagne, Boom Prinsloo, Francois Uys, Lodewyk de Jager, Maks van Dyk, Adriaan Strauss (c), Caylib Oosthuizen. Bench: Ryno Barnes, Trevor Nyakane, Rossouw de Klerk, Andries Ferreira, Jean Cooke, Shaun Venter, Elgar Watts, Hennie Daniller.