2012 S15 New Kids on the Block

[Brisbok]

Why did he kick the ball out at the end of the game when they were behind by 7?

With the score at 28-21, the best possible outcome would be a draw - i.e. 2 competition points. They already had 1 bonus point for finishing within 7. They would have to run 80 meters without making a mistake to score the try and then convert it to gain 1 extra competition point.

At the same time, the Crusaders had scored 3 tries and would have fancied their chances of scoring a 4th try and getting the bonus point if they turned the ball over.

Instead of risking their 1 bonus point they already had, to gain 1 extra point, he decided to kick the ball out.

 

[p.Tah]

I'd forgotten about the Crusaders and the 4 try bonus point. I was thinking if there was a turn over they'd kick it out.
The Cheetahs had made quite a few 50m breaks during the game so it wasn't out of the question, but best not risk it I guess.

 

[PaarlBok]

Why did he kick the ball out at the end of the game when they were behind by 7?

Naka's instruction

 

[Brisbok]

I'd forgotten about the Crusaders and the 4 try bonus point. I was thinking if there was a turn over they'd kick it out.
The Cheetahs had made quite a few 50m breaks during the game so it wasn't out of the question, but best not risk it I guess.

Yeah I must admit I was shocked/disappointed at the time when he kicked it out! Who knows whether or not he had calculated all of the possible scenarios when he decided to kick it out, or if he just wanted to end the game?! Perhaps if they were 6 points behind he might have run it. We'll give him the benefit of the doubt!

 

[SuperGrover]

Goosen Not to Blame

Cheetahs centre Andries Strauss has revealed that the side's senior players made the call to settle for a losing bonus point against the Crusaders last weekend.

After fighting back from a 18-3 deficit, the Cheetahs managed to draw level at 21-21 during the second half but a late try by Israel Dagg sealed a 28-21 win for the Crusaders.

The Bloemfontein-based franchise had a chance to go for the victory in the dying moments of the match but after setting up a couple of drives from inside their own half, fly-half Johan Goosen surprisingly kicked the ball into touch.

This meant that the Cheetahs secured the consolation bonus point for losing by seven or less points but after the match many observers criticised Goosen for taking that option.

But Strauss, has confirmed that the young pivot was instructed to that by his senior team-mates.

"It wasn't a decision that Johan made by himself. It also wasn't a call from the coach's box," he told keo.co.za

"As a team, we had two choices - to run the ball from our own 22m area and try and snatch a draw, or to end the game and not risk the bonus point we already had in the bag.

"If we had to concede a penalty or lose possession in our territory, the Crusaders could've scored and we would've left with nothing.

"Johan got the call from a few senior players, and at the end of the day, we all back the decision," Strauss added.

The loss means that the Cheetahs have already gathered six points on their tour to Australia and New Zealand. They secured a similar bonus boint to last weekend's when they lost 24-23 to the Brumbies in their first match of the tour before collecting four points in their 33-26 triumph over the Rebels in their next match.

While that is not a perfect return, Strauss is delighted that the side has improved considerably on previous tours.

"The Cheetahs' overseas curse is gone," he said

"After the win over the Waratahs in Sydney last season, the players believe we can beat teams on tour.

"However, we are not finishing as well as we want to at the moment.

"We were in the position to beat the Brumbies and Crusaders, but we made too many mistakes on defence and lost possession too easily.

"We are working on these problems ahead of our final match against the Hurricanes.

"We want to finish this tour on a strong note, especially after they beat us in Bloemfontein [50-47] last year after scoring a try in the last movement of the match."

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3824_7632972,00.html

 

[Braveheart81]

I thought it was a reasonable decision. They were deep in their 22 with average ball and were pretty much dead on their feet.

The Crusaders defensive line was well set and there was nothing obvious on offer.

Trying something really risky that could have resulted in them conceeding points and losing their bonus point would have been completely stupid.

 

[GaffaCHinO]

Hopefully we can add Jyle Godwin to this list by the end of this weekend.

 

[PaarlBok]

OK I'll throw in some Stormers young stock:

Eben Etzebeth
http://www.thestormers.co.za/profiles.asp?id=1371

Position: Lock
Physical: 2.03m, 120kg
Born: 29 October 1991, Cape Town
Province: WP
WP Caps: 0
WP Points: 0
WP Debut: -
Stormers Caps: 0
Stormers Points: 0
Stormers Debut: -
A big strong lock and emerging young star, Eben is one of Province’s group of young guns pushing hard for senior honours. In 2011 Eben represented SA at the u20 Junior World Cup. Eben is a tall, physical lock with a high work rate. He will be looking to make a big debut this season.

How well did he grew since the start of the season. Now named as WP/Stormers Player of the Year.

Etzebeth stands tallest at Awards night

The annual DHL Trophy Presentation was held at Kelvin Grove on Wednesday, October 17, with the Western Province Rugby Football Union recognising all club performances within the union and also rewarding those professional players who have performed well in 2012.
The event, held in conjunction with Die Burger, CTC Sport, adidas and DHL, was well attended on the night with the entire DHL WP Absa Currie Cup team in attendance - along with other key sponsors, junior players, club players and administrators.
The big winner on the night was DHL WP & Stormers and Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth, who was presented with the DHL WP Forward of the Year Award and the DHL WP Players' Player of the Year Award (the latter as voted for by his peers).
***CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE AWARD WINNERS ON THE NIGHT***
Etzebeth, who still qualifies to play Under-21 rugby this season, made his Bok debut after just 13 Super Rugby matches for the DHL Stormers and has already played in eight Tests for his country - all before playing his first Absa Currie Cup match for DHL Western Province (which, coincidentally, was last week).
Record-breaking Springbok winger Bryan Habana walked off with the DHL WP Back of the Year, for his performances at Super Rugby level, whilst hooker Scarra Ntubeni, despite also still being eligible for the WP Under-21 team, was awarded the prize as the union's Most Promising Senior Player.
Forward Deon Fourie, having played at hooker, flank and No.8 this year - also captaining the Absa Currie Cup team at times - was presented with the adidas MVP Award for his efforts in 2012.
With both the Western Province U19 and U21 teams progressing to the semifinals of their respective tournaments this season, there was a lot of talent to choose from in the Junior Awards categories.
Loose forward Justin Benn, who trained with the senior DHL WP squad this year, picked up the DHL WP U19 Best Forward Award, with centre Justin Geduld, also a stalwart in the log-topping WP U19 side, walking off with the Back of the Year prize. Prop Sti Sithole was a worthy recipient of the DHL Most Promising U19 Player Award.
In the Under-21 category, try-scoring ace Devon Williams, despite missing a large chunk of the season due to injury, was a popular choice as the DHL WP U21 Best Back, with vice-captain Francois van Wyk being rewarded for his consistency up front as the DHL WP U21 Forward of the Year.
Flank Josh Katzen came from nowhere this year to establish himself in the WP U21 set-up and he deservedly walked off with the DHL WP U21 Most Promising Player Award.
Tygerberg's Alconroy Botha was recognised as the Clubs' Player of the Year, with the Maties lifting the Grand Challenge trophy as SLA champions, whilst Chantel Sieckers walked away with the DHL WP Womens Player of the Year Award.
In all, 40 club teams received trophies, mentions or recognitions on the night - including Durbanville/Bellville (WP's qualifying team at the National Club Championships) - and record-breaking referee Jonathan Kaplan was handed the Referee of the Year Award.
Thelo Wakefield, the WPRFU President, congratulated all the award recipients on the night. "Well done to all the winners - it was great to be able to pay tribute to everyone, from the clubs right up to those players in the professional ranks.
"The future of rugby in our province is bright; tonight's awards are testament to what is being done to ensure that WP Rugby remains top across all levels."
Between them, the five professional WP teams - Under-19, Under-21, Vodacom Cup, Absa Currie Cup and Vodacom Super Rugby - have played 61 matches in 2012 (thus far), boasting an overall win percentage of 77% for the union.
WP Rugby have picked up eight trophies already in 2012 - Super Rugby, Vodacom Cup, schoolboy and girls, Womens rugby, etc - with another three up for grabs in the next fortnight as the DHL WP Under-19, Under-21 and senior sides all gear up for their respective provincial semifinals this weekend.
DHL WP and Stormers head coach Allister Coetzee commented: "The year is by no means over, and we would certainly like to end it on a high. However, tonight was about rewarding all our players for their efforts thus far - at professional and club level.
"The structures are in place through the ranks and rugby in the province is strong and healthy. Congratulations to all of the winners here tonight and thanks, once again, to all our supporters and sponsors."
ALL THE INDIVIDUAL AWARD WINNERS:
DHL WP Womens Player of the Year: Chantel Sieckers
DHL WP Under-19 Best Forward: Justin Benn
DHL WP U19 Best Back: Justin Geduld
DHL WP Most Promising U19 Player: Sti Sithole
DHL WP Under-21 Best Forward: Francois van Wyk
DHL WP U21 Best Back: Devon Williams
DHL WP Most Promising U21 Player: Player Josh Katzen
DHL WP Best Forward: Eben Etzebeth
DHL WP Best Back: Bryan Habana
DHL WP Most Promising Senior Player: Scarra Ntubeni
Clubs' Player of the Year: Alconroy Botha
adidas MVP Award: Deon Fourie
DHL WP Players' Player of the Year: Eben Etzebeth

 

[SuperGrover]

What's the difference between best back/forward and most promising player?

 

[PaarlBok]

What's the difference between best back/forward and most promising player?

Most promising player will be usually those who made their debut at the level and performed. Best back/forward will be the best performers in the forwards or backs even if they played 100 caps at the level.

 

[SuperGrover]

Thanks PaarlBok.

 

[PaarlBok]

Etsebet was massive on saturday, driving himself out of his pants to help WeePee get that winning try.

 

[PaarlBok]

 

[Godfrey]

Slight resemblance?

 

[Kevinsons]

Slight resemblance?

Bruno Etzebeth...love your work.

 

[PaarlBok]

Slight resemblance?

Maybe surprise about Nathan Sharpe, crying like a baby?