Juan Smith in Photo by Hilton/Rugby15.co.za
In the Volksblad newspaper Vodacom Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske mentions that Juan Smith is making a significant impact both on attack and on defense for the Cheetahs! There is no denial that Juan will play a very important part in the 2010 Super 14 competition -and his role alongside Heinrich Brussow will be closely monitored by the Springbok selectors as well!
A fully fit Juan Smith is a world call player – and was one of the outstanding forwards in the Springbok 2007 World Cup success. He is the classic number 7 – a player in the mould of a Gert Smal – a tall player with great lineout ability, the ability to take a player back in the tackle and someone who will manage to cross the gain line.
All the top coaches will confirm that a top team requires more than just 3 good loose forward players - you need the correct combination between 6, 7 and 8. In the Cheetahs team we find the classic 6 in Heinrich Brussow, a classic 7 in Juan Smith and they will be well supported by either Frans Viljoen or Ashley Johnson. The successful Super 14 teams will all manage to find this right “combo”!
As all other players, Juan Smith has also had his critics – He has been accused of sometimes holding onto the ball for too long or not passing the ball. Nobody will however accuse him of not putting in enough effort or showing the necessary commitment!
What do the stats tell us about the first 2 games in the Super 14?
• Against the Sharks Juan made 14 tackles and assisted in 2 tackles. He had 5 ball carries and crossed the gain line with 100% of these carries. [He will hate seeing 3 missed tackles...] He handled 9 times and passed 6 times!
• Against the Bulls Juan made 11 tackles and assisted in 3 tackles. He had 7 ball carries and crossed the gain line 80% of the time. [No missed tackles!] He handled 10 times and passed 4 times.
[ Info from Ruggastats/ Rugby15]
Juan Smith is vital to the success of the Vodacom Cheetahs. He brings more than just a physical size and presence to the side - but also experience and leadership. May 2010 be a great year for the Vodacom Cheetahs Captain!
“As all other players, Juan Smith has also had his critics – He has been accused of sometimes holding onto the ball for too long or not passing the ball.”
Ek dink julle verwys na schalk burger!maar ja,hy is n’ fantastiese speler,die beste in die wereld!
Behalwe vir daai knock sonder iemand naby hom voor die doellyn teen die Bulle… Editor wat is die kans at die curriebekr trui weer soos die 2005 een kan lyk met die 3 strepies op elke mou? Dit was ons mooiste trui ooit - want die truie verander elke jaar en daar word nie by die tradisie gehou nie. Die Bulle se curriebeker trui bv lyk die afgelope klomp jaar dieselfde - want daar is ‘n emosionele konnektasie daaraan……Editor is daar iewers nog van die ou katoen truie met die ou rugby logo op van die vrystaat met die lang moue wat mens kan koop as aandenking? Ek sal tot R2000 betaal vir ene. Of kan mens dit spesiaal laat maak???
Hi Kierie
Weet jy wat die storie met die truie is - en persoonlik was ek ook baie mal oor die waarna jy verwys, maar dit hang maar af van die borge. Daai truie van 2005 was adidas truie. Intussen het ons verander van adidas na canterbury na gilbert. Die borge besluit basies hoe die truie gaan lyk saam met die topbestuur.
Groete
Dankie editor - maar die unie kan seker voorstelle maak of seker darem vra hoe die trui wil hê? Die trui wat teen die Britse Leeus gedra was, is net so mooi en baie plain gewees - al kan hul dit dra - ek meen as die unie met die borg aan die begin sit dan kan daar seker saam besluit word. By verre die aakligste trui was die 2008 CB trui - met die oranje ’sweetgate’ onder die arms….asb moet net nie weer so trui laat maak nie. Die logo was ook nie eers geborduur nie - dit het soos ‘n sticker gelyk……..dankie admin, ek meen jy antwoord elke liewe vraag - dis baie baie beter as in die verlede!!
Onthou julle ons geel Lion beker truie van destyds? Daai was mooi truie gewees!
Gee my een goeie rede hoekom ons nog vir die cheetas moet skree, ek wou my seun by cheetha kids inskryf maar ek gaan hom beslis daai verleentheid spaar. My kind het my op n keer gevra hoekom ek vir n span skree wat 99% van die tyd swak speel en verloor. Blou Bulle is definitief n beter opsie.