Cheetahs set for tough ride

Rudolph Jacobs

The All Black playmakers in the Hurricanes side could make life very difficult in Wellington today, believes Cheetahs Super Rugby coach Franco Smith.

But Smith (above) said they will be out to defend better than during last week’s 50-32 defeat to the Blues yet still try to score tries with ball in hand.

The Bok backline coach said that in scrumhalf TJ Perenara, the Barrett brothers – Beauden on flyhalf and Jordie at fullback – and Aardi Savea on the flank, they have quality throughout.

“They have quality all-round so it will be a tough day at the office for us,” said Smith.

“However, we want be the first SA side to beat them this year and I was really pleased with the guys’ intensity in training this week.”

Smith made seven changes to his squad for this match, including one positional, saying playing five of their last six games against Kiwi sides has taken its toll.

And despite the Hurricanes losing 20-12 to the Crusaders last weekend, Smith believes they remain one of the class outfits of the competition.

“The Hurricanes lost last weekend but they are a top outfit. When you look at their stats it’s clear why they won the competition last year. They know what they want to do.”

Smith said it had been raining and windy all week and while it could clear up it remained windy, but inside the Westpac Stadium it was not normally that bad.

“But we’ll have to kick lower to neutralise the effect of the wind. I believe the ball will be handable but in an evening game there’s normally a lot of moisture on the ball.

“So it will force us to keep the game a bit tighter which will be another test for our defence.”