Jaguares leave Cheetahs much to ponder after a nailbiter
STUDENT protests shook the Free State capital to its core this week and more rude awakening followed when the Cheetahs on Friday night were on the wrong end of one of Super Rugby’s most daring comebacks.
For much of the clash the Cheetahs held the advantage on the scoreboard but their inexperience showed as the grizzled Jaguares gradually but inexorably clawed their way back.
The Jaguares trailed 24-3 after 25 minutes and had two in the sin bin, but they manufactured a remarkable rearguard action in which they dazzled and erred in equal measure to win 34-33 on their Super Rugby debut.
“We played good rugby for the first 25 minutes, but due to a lack of experience we lost focus, especially when they made the game slower before the guys in the bin came back,” explained Cheetahs GIMME THE BALL: Jaguares skipper Agustin Creevy, right, is tackled by Lood de Jager of the Cheetahs during their clash in Bloemfontein on Friday night
Opposition take to the scrum like teenagers to free wi-fi
we want to address,” countered Perez.
One area in which the Cheetahs excelled was where it was least expected. Almost all their opponents last season relished scrumming against the Cheetahs and on Friday they were pitted against opposition who take to the scrum like teenagers to free wi-fi.
“A lot of the work in preseason reaped reward,” said Smith, allowing himself a hint of a smile at the transformation scrum coach, former Bok loosehead Daan Human, has brought to the team.
As his team’s hooker, Creevy was ideally placed for expert assessment. “The Cheetahs scrum really surprised us. It is something we have to work at. We watched their two warm-up games and we knew their scrum was good but they were still better than us.”
The Jagueres left the Cheetahs much to ponder.
“We need to improve our reaction time to the ball carrier because we got penalised a few times,” said Smith, who declared himself happy with the progress his young players have made since the Currie Cup. The Jaguares provided the ideal examination.
“It is easier to get better against a side like this because they challenge you in every facet of the game. We are a young, inexperienced side, growing and learning but we are getting better. The quality of the play and lessons we have to take out of this.”