Cheetahs chase Currie Cup after the Super rugby sidestep

24 August 2016 - 09:43 By LIAM DEL CARME

The peculiar but conscious decision of the Cheetahs to put Super rugby behind them while they were still playing in it is now reaping rewards. Discarding baggage before reaching port has had the desired effect after three successive victories over a resurgent Boland, the Blue Bulls, and a rare away win against Western Province.The Cheetahs have a bye this weekend, which will ensure they remain unbeaten a month into the Currie Cup."After the tour to Australasia we had to press the reset button," explained coach Franco Smith."Thereafter we beat the Kings, we played well but lost away to the Stormers, and then against the run of play we were really unlucky to lose here to the Bulls."With their Super rugby commitments wrapped early, they travelled to Japan for a warm-up match against sister club Toyota Verblitz.They have hit the deck running in the Currie Cup and have won with a swagger, averaging nearly 40 points per match.No doubt the rigours of Super rugby have helped knock them into shape."We want to maintain Super rugby standards, in particular intensity," said Smith. "That is what we want to measure ourselves by."The Cheetahs had a disappointing Super rugby campaign in which they won just four of their 15 league matches. They were adept at finding the try line, but often their defeats were due to a lack of application in defence."The Lions, you'll recall, didn't play Super rugby and had to use the Currie Cup to find their feet."The Currie Cup is important."Last year Smith made a fresh start by assembling unheralded players for the competition.One year on he doesn't have to descend to the same depths."It is a very short competition," said Smith."In Super rugby, we gave a number of guys the opportunity to play. It is important now to put out the best product every week and important to maintain continuity."We will try to pick the best team every week."..

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