Super 14 preview: Wellington Hurricanes Vs Cheetahs—Week/Round Four

Hurricanes (7th, 2 wins, 1 loss) vs (14th, 3 losses) Cheetahs
Venue: Yarrow’s Stadium, New Plymouth
Kick-off: 2.30 p.m. (local), 12.30 p.m. (AEDT)
Head to Head: Played 3—Hurricanes 2, Cheetahs 1
Last Year: Hurricanes 38—Cheetahs 15 at Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein

The Cheetahs limp into town anything but the sleek, prowling hunting cat for which they are named. Juan Smith, their inspirational captain and front line Springbok flanker, is not present, and the team features a mammoth 10 changes from the team that was humbled by the Reds.

Furthermore, reports have surfaced from South Africa this week that Coach Naka Drotske is being taken to court in civil action, after he and former player Ollie Le Roux were allegedly found at another man’s house. Certainly not what a struggling team needs.

The come seeking their first win in Australasia, desperate to break an eight-match losing streak and looking to win just their third match in 23 games.

Unfortunately, the face a Hurricanes team with much wind in their sails, who last week looked like the tournament contenders they have been talked up to be. Their victory over the Crusaders last week was impressive not only for the match itself, but for the fact that the match came with plenty of mental baggage for the Wellington-based franchise.

With those demons temporarily conquered, they will be looking to emphasize their credentials against a team that looked a shadow of a competent rugby team. While the Cheetahs compete well at Currie Cup level, at Super 14 they look completely out of their depth.

Which is a major issue when considering expansion is being considered by SANZAR, and South Africa is pushing for a sixth team. When two of their sides consistently drag the bottom of the table, it is hardly a compelling case for the nation’s depth.

Even a powerful looking Cheetahs pack appears to be unable to impose any form of rugby domination on their opposition, and unless the Hurricanes approach this game asleep, it will be a drubbing.

Against a freewheeling Reds team, the Cheetahs looked completely outclassed. The problem for the visitors is that the Hurricanes are the original all-out offensive team of Super rugby, and will be far more punishing and menacing than their last opponents.

With nine All Blacks in their starting lineup, spearheaded by test players from number 7 through to number 13, a punter would like the odds on the biggest winning margin of the competition so far.

From nine previous matches in Taranaki, the Hurricanes have won six. The problem for the Cheetahs is that all of those have been by 13 points or more. A Canes slaughter by 20.

Hurricanes: 15 Tamati Ellison, 14 Zac Guildford, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Piri Weepu, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Rodney So’oialo, 7 Scott Waldrom, 6 Karl Lowe, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Tim Fairbrother, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Neemia Tialata. Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore/Ged Robinson, 17 John Schwalger, 18 Api Naikatini, 19 Faifili Levave, 20 Willie Ripia, 21 Jason Kawau, 22 David Smith.

Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller,14 Bjorn Basson ,13 Piet van Zyl, 12 Hanno Coetzee, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Jacques- Louis Potgieter, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Hendro Scholtz (c), 7 Wayne van Heerden, 6 Heinrich Brussöw, 6 David de Villiers, 5 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Bees Roux, 2 Richardt Strauss, 1 Wiaan du Preez Replacements: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Jean Botha, 18 Francois Uys, 19 Kabamba Floors, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Meyer Bosman, 22 Danwell Demas