FREE STATE CHEETAHS V BRITISH & IRISH LIONS
Venue: Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein Kick-off: 1400 BST (1500 local time)
Coverage: Sky Sports 2 - Dont have Sky Sports, don't worry, we can get you Online Live Stream for FREE!!!.. this is 100% legitimate and true, information is available for free to all our members.. register now.
MATCH REPORT
Cheetahs 24 v 26 British Lions
Lions 26 (Ferris try; Earls try; Hook 4 x pen, 2 x con)
Cheetahs 24 (Demas try; du Preez try; Uys try; de Bruyn pen, 2 x con; Strydom con)
Well well, good news is that's 3 straight wins and the Lions continue un-defeated which is very good for the tour. Think that's just about the only positive from the game against a defiant Cheetahs team.
Lets not take anything away from the Cheetahs, they were playing without 3 of their key players who were held by by the Boks coach, who refused to release them. The Boks coach did have a major part to play on Saturdays game, with a walkie talky commentary to the Cheetahs coach providing an elevated supporting role from the stands!
But the Lions really were a team without structure. Not going to use stupid cliche's such as "a game of 2 halves", as all games have 2 haves, 4 quarters and so on. But the Lions came out firing in the first half.
After 20 minutes, the Lions had 20 points on the board, looking like a repeat of last weeks game against the Golden Lions. But when the game looked won, the Lions fell asleep.
Poor discipline, bad decisions, and a sloppy defense allowed the Cheetahs to rally and bring the game to the Lions. O'Connell really did not get the best out of the players, allowing his team mates to give penalty after penalty and a poor display of decision making.
The Lions were lucky to walk away with a win, however this game has shown some players who will NOT be gaining a test spot. O'Driscoll seems to be the natural leader so far and O'Connell with a lot prove.
Halfpenny stood up well, but didn't get much clean ball, Hook was very average and Lee Byrne had a pretty good game and we still tip him in the starting 15. Shane Williams dancing feet only took him side ways, and Powell's game was predictable but full of effort, a definite impact player rather than starting No.8.
Ferris showed his pace again, and seems to cementing his place for a test sport, what will the game against the Sharks bring, with the Sharks an amazing super 14's team.
We know you want to see the team before we give you our thoughts so here you go:
Lions team v Cheetahs:
Lee Byrne (Ospreys & Wales)
Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues & Wales)
Keith Earls (Munster & Ireland),
Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster & Ireland),
Shane Williams (Ospreys & Wales);
James Hook (Ospreys & Wales),
Harry Ellis (Leicester & England);
Andrew Sheridan (Sale & England),
Ross Ford (Edinburgh & Scotland),
Euan Murray (Northampton & Scotland),
Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster & Ireland),
Paul O'Connell (Munster & Ireland - capt),
Stephen Ferris (Ulster & Ireland),
Joe Worsley (Wasps & England),
Andy Powell (Cardiff Blues & Wales).
Replacements:
Matthew Rees (Scarlets & Wales),
Adam Jones (Ospreys & Wales),
Simon Shaw (Wasps & England),
Nathan Hines (Perpignan & Scotland),
Mike Blair (Edinburgh & Scotland),
Ronan O'Gara (Munster & Ireland),
Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster & Ireland).
Cheetahs:
H Daniller;
D Demas,
C Uys, M Bosman,
J W Jonker;
J-L Potgieter,
T de Bruyn;
W Du Preez,
A Strauss,
K Calldo,
N Breedt,
D de Villiers,
H Brussow,
F Uys,
H Scholtz (capt).
Replacements: R Strauss, W P Nel, F Viljoen, K Floors, G Odendaal, L Strydom, F Juries.
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England).
Now.. lets take a closer look at the match on Saturday...
Paul O'Connell is back to lead his Lions against the Cheetahs this Saturday in the 3rd installment of the Lions tour in South Africa.
Leigh Halfpenny, Luke Fitzgerald and Donncha O'Callaghan will all play their first game for the Lions in 2009. Halfpenny returns after his injury, giving the youngster his chance to put his hand up for a test spot.
D'arcy who has just joined the squad, is on the bench, bringing previous Lions experience with him if needed.
Tour manager Gerald Davies said: "The boys who played against the Golden Lions put down a marker in terms of the way we want to play. I know those playing against the Cheetahs will be very keen to keep the momentum going and produce another strong Lions performance."
The Cheetahs are however at the bottom of the Super 14's table, so this game will not be much of test for the Lions, but maybe they can have another crack and breaking the records points score for the Lions. The negative being that the players don't get a chance to gain momentum against good players and test their defence, lets hope the Cheetahs put up a brave fight.
Score predictions.. we're thinking 14 - 48 Lions Win!
