We finished the game with 3 props, a converted back row at hooker, 2 6's, and 3 wings. I get the feeling the cheetahs weren't in much better shape.

Were were going really well until the 60 minutes mark,with so many playing in the wrong position it is not surprising it turned into a bit of a poo show.

Good to see Leader and Blade put in confident performances.

Good showing but became disjointed with the changes in 2nd half. Thought Dawai was impressive when he came on with some good hits. Tries were soft to concede and Heffs overthrowing was worrying but all in all a good result and some solid moments. Feel like Finlay looks more athletic these days too

Was perfect until the injury to Cannon after Roux went off. I thought Masterson went into the 2nd row but some people on boards saying it was Bealham. Lineout was fine until Heffernan came on. 3 over throws in a row !
Butler was interviewed before the match and said he would be back in a couple of weeks which is fantastic news.

Was on a train and reception was iffy so I only caught maybe 50% of the match but scrum seemed quite good again? Unless I'm mistaken that Cheetahs scrum gave a spanking to Leinster's which is no mean feat basically regardless of what pack Leinster put out so that's a very good sign if true.

Lineouts becoming an issue again... maybe not to the same level as last season but consistency is troubling.

Hopefully none of the injuries are serious and everyone is good to go again in 3 weeks for some sweet revenge in Cardiff...

connachta wrote: As you know, very upset with McKeon 7 Muldoon 8
Really happy with the back-3 though
Not many choices for centre pairing, I expected Farrell moved back to 13 (he played there with Bedford)
will we be smart enough to let Ronaldson kick to the posts?
And then, if he goes off, interesting call to be made whether C.McKeon or Crosbie kicks!

Lovely turnover there straight off a scrum.

Betty Swallocks wrote: Is Deegan injured?

No Griffin or Kelleher in the 23. I guess Crosbie was chosen to cover centre. Even a worse case scenario is sustainable : if both outhalf and centre have to go off, McKeon provides extra solution for 10. Worst case would be SH (Blade) out in the same time too , then Healy would play 9.

The situation with Deegan would have been Leader to cover centre. It would mean Healy on, and no more back-3 cover.... + Leader might not be the best defender here...

Is Deegan injured?

pinky wrote: I suppose last week he had an equal interest in each team, but if I was a Cheetahs fan, I'd be thinking "ah here .."

And as a Connacht fan, I expect to see him giving out to himself all evening, if past behaviour is any guide

Joking asides, that's one tasty bench we have for tomorrow night.

I suppose last week he had an equal interest in each team, but if I was a Cheetahs fan, I'd be thinking "ah here .."

Podge57 wrote:
The referee for the match is Frank Murphy.

Very interesting!

Toyota Cheetahs

15 Fred Zeilinga
14 Luther Obi
13 Tertius Kruger
12 Nico Lee
11 Makazola Mapimpi
10 Ernst Stapelberg
9 Tian Meyer

1 Ox Nche
2 Torsten Van Jaarsveld ©
3 Johan Coetzee
4 Carl Wegner
5 Hugo, Reniel
6 Paul Schoeman
7 Jasper Wiese
8 Junior Pokomela

16 Joseph Dweba
17 Charles Marais
18 Tom Botha
19 Dennis Visser
20 Rynier Bernardo
21 Zee Mkhabela
22 Ali Mgijima
23 Shaun Venter

The referee for the match is Frank Murphy. He will be assisted by John Lacey and Kieran Barry. The TMO is Leo Colgan
Read more at www.pro14rugby.org/2017/11/03/toyota-che...#5DVB6sRuThrIImMd.99

Horsebox44 wrote: Or maybe we just let the out half kick!!!

plaese no.. For once we have 3 other possibilities. Carty will only be better in open-play without this burden.

Or maybe we just let the out half kick!!!

As you know, very upset with McKeon 7 Muldoon 8
Really happy with the back-3 though
Not many choices for centre pairing, I expected Farrell moved back to 13 (he played there with Bedford)
will we be smart enough to let Ronaldson kick to the posts?
And then, if he goes off, interesting call to be made whether C.McKeon or Crosbie kicks!

Kick-off 7.35pm:
(15-9) Tiernan O’Halloran, Darragh Leader, Tom Farrell, Craig Ronaldson, Niyi Adeolokun, Jack Carty, Caolin Blade,
(1- Denis Buckley, Tom McCartney, Finlay Bealham; Quinn Roux, James Cannon; Eoghan Masterson, Eoin McKeon, John Muldoon (Capt).
Replacements (16-23): Dave Heffernan, Denis Coulson, Conor Carey, Gavin Thornbury, Naulia Dawai, Conor McKeon, Steve Crosbie, Matt Healy.