You only play as well as the opposition allows you to play they say, and the Cheetahs allowed the Aussie’s to play very well indeed. 5 tries to 3 tells a story on its own as the Aussies were prepared to go wide with the ball despite wet and muddy conditions and were duly awarded with a bonus point. The Cheetahs obliged with a record 27 missed tackles and there is no way that type of defense will win a game of rugby.

It is still a long road ahead for the Free Staters who need to write off this match as a bad experience and start again next weekend. At the moment they are dreadful, they looked flat footed and appeared to go into defensive mode right from the start of the match. However Corne Uys finished off the game with an excellent try which is the only positive they can take from this game. His line of running was perfect and precise and this is what they should remember from this match and use it as a basis to work from.

Hopefully the Free State ‘tahs will have Captain Juan Smith back in the ranks next weekend as they lacked a bit of fire power and leadership for most of the match. The Brumbies, Crusaders and Chiefs are waiting for the Cheetahs and if things don’t improve they will become a walking 5 points.