Call me a jolly crapehanger but I can admit I'd penned the Hurricanes in for the win ! Not entirely alone, along with others and the 28-12 victory to the Cheetahs I'm sure couldn't be sweeter thanks to them or should I say us. The way I looked at it, even considering the Hurricanes poor shape in their win against the Lions last week, on paper, their winning streak look solid enough to put them just past a Cheetahs squad that had folded to the less fancied Highlanders 31-24 in Bloem last week.
"One week we're the most shocking team and the next week we can beat anyone," said Cheetahs' captain Juan Smith, so I feel less guilty for falling into the 'underestimating trap'. On the Cheetahs side, it's a tough call for Man of the Match. WP Nel must be in for the Boks for sure, thanks to his powerful scrummaging (again). Juan Smith as ever, so consistently for the Cheetahs and the Springboks, his leadership was a major factor in the victory (again). A banker for the RWC 2011.Heinrich Brüssow was potent at breakdowns although he's injured his ligaments and is out for 5 weeks. A major blow !
Adriaan Strauss showed his strength as a ball-carrier and Naas Olivier's goal-kicking was spot on. But what about Meyer Bosman ? Four out of four from far out ? A 'Steyn-remover' ? Frans and Morne watch-out ! Bosmans boot won the match and he's my Man of the Match.
Looking at the Hurricanes, the side I've picked to fill a semi finals slot this year, they've themselves to blame. Plenty of class, they seemed frustrated and Nonu was yellow-carded for a tip tackle on Cheetahs captain Juan Smith - "at least a yellow" was the advice of assistant referee Jonathan Kaplan to referee Bryce Lawrence. To make matters worse the post-match citing officer may want to look at Nonu's tackle and a disciplinary hearing and suspension for Nonu must be a possibility at least.
As it stands, both the Hurricanes and the Cheetahs now front up to the Stormers in Cape Town in rapid succession in Weeks 5 & 6. After this weekends Cheetahs – Hurricanes encounter, I'm wary of making any brash predictions.
When it comes to the Cheetah's biting back, 'once bitten – twice shy' is this weeks lesson.
