Smith aims to finish on high note

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   Toyota Cheetahs coach Franco Smith will look to sign off his spell in Bloemfontein on a high note on Friday by continuing their unbeaten run in the Guinness PRO14 against Munster, while the Isuzu Southern Kings have emphasised the importance of rounding off their point-scoring chances when they meet Ulster in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
The Toyota Cheetahs will go in search of their third successive victory when they take on Munster at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein at 18h15 on Friday. The Isuzu Southern Kings will be hunting their first win this season when they cross paths with Ulster on Saturday at 16h00.
Smith, who guided the Free Staters to two Currie Cup titles and the Guinness PRO14 playoffs in their opening season (2017/18), will wrap up his reign on a high note if his charges beat Munster, who are also unbeaten after two rounds, before handing over the coaching duties to Hawies Fourie.
Smith stood in during the opening rounds of the competition while Fourie recovered from an operation. His next coaching role will be as the new head coach of Italy’s national team.
“For me it was always about good people, who make good players,” said Smith.
“If rugby is that vehicle, then that was the one dealt to me. Through experience and the way I see the game, I was able to contribute over the last six years and create a platform.
“We wanted to play a good brand of rugby – a brand we could win and entertain with, and one people in the town and the stands could associate with. We wanted to create role models and heroes in society, and everyone I worked with here were exceptional people.
“They always went out there and gave their hearts on the field, and I never doubted their commitment. They measure themselves on a very high standard, and as a coach that is the biggest thing. There was always 100 percent commitment week after week even though we didn’t get the results.
“Regardless of what happens in the game, I can only thank them for buying into the game plan.”
Against Munster, Smith will come face-to-face with a coach he knows very well, South African Johann van Graan, whom he worked with at the Springboks in 2017. Despite Munster having 12 players at the Rugby World Cup, Smith believes the visitors have already shown how dangerous they are.
“At the beginning of the season, they are a bit more disrupted than Ulster was and they have a bunch of new names,” said Smith.
“Knowing Johann very well, I know he is trying to blood a lot of players because he will need them again during the Six Nations.
“I am sure he wants to test the depth in his squad, and there are some unknown names in their side, but they are a very organised and well-coached team. We know each other well, and he knows my philosophy.”
In Port Elizabeth, the Isuzu Southern Kings will be looking to draw inspiration from the Toyota Cheetahs’ big win over Ulster last week when they meet at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.
But Isuzu Southern Kings assistant coach Vuyo Zangqa says his charges need to find a way to convert the chances they create into points and become more clinical in their play.
“We looked at all three teams in our opening games, and when we looked at the Cardiff Blues, we knew we could beat them, but we fell short,” said the former Blitzbok speedster.
“We also knew Munster was going to be tough, but we were too slow to get out of the blocks.
“This week, we are hoping that the Toyota Cheetahs’ win against Ulster will give our boys a little more confidence and belief that we can do it. We analysed them and we know what they are going to bring, so we need to make sure we are more clinical in this game.”
Zangqa called for more focus and patience from his side to exploit the attacking opportunities that present themselves.
“At the end of the day the Isuzu Southern Kings haven’t won a game yet,” said Zangqa.
“We don’t want to talk about last season, but we have seen some growth. We need to be more clinical because we were in the 22 four, five times and we didn’t convert, and it comes down to patience and focus. We took that forward in training this week, and hopefully we will get result this weekend.”
Match Information:
Toyota Cheetahs v Munster
Date: Friday, 11 October
SA time: 18h15
Venue: Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein
Referee: Mike Adamson
Assistant referees: Griffin Colby, Paul Mente
TMO: Lourens van der Merwe
TV: SS6

Isuzu Southern Kings v Ulster
Date: Saturday, 12 October
SA time: 16h00
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Referee: Craig Evans
Assistant referees: Ian Davies, Ben Crouse
TMO: Johan Greeff
TV: SS2

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Transvaal Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 30-Mar-2016 Status: Offline Points: 40235	Post Options Post Reply Quote Transvaal Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Smith aims to finish on high note Posted: 11-Oct-2019 at 7:38am
	Toyota Cheetahs coach Franco Smith will look to sign off his spell in Bloemfontein on a high note on Friday by continuing their unbeaten run in the Guinness PRO14 against Munster, while the Isuzu Southern Kings have emphasised the importance of rounding off their point-scoring chances when they meet Ulster in Port Elizabeth on Saturday. The Toyota Cheetahs will go in search of their third successive victory when they take on Munster at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein at 18h15 on Friday. The Isuzu Southern Kings will be hunting their first win this season when they cross paths with Ulster on Saturday at 16h00. Smith, who guided the Free Staters to two Currie Cup titles and the Guinness PRO14 playoffs in their opening season (2017/18), will wrap up his reign on a high note if his charges beat Munster, who are also unbeaten after two rounds, before handing over the coaching duties to Hawies Fourie. Smith stood in during the opening rounds of the competition while Fourie recovered from an operation. His next coaching role will be as the new head coach of Italy’s national team. “For me it was always about good people, who make good players,” said Smith. “If rugby is that vehicle, then that was the one dealt to me. Through experience and the way I see the game, I was able to contribute over the last six years and create a platform. “We wanted to play a good brand of rugby – a brand we could win and entertain with, and one people in the town and the stands could associate with. We wanted to create role models and heroes in society, and everyone I worked with here were exceptional people. “They always went out there and gave their hearts on the field, and I never doubted their commitment. They measure themselves on a very high standard, and as a coach that is the biggest thing. There was always 100 percent commitment week after week even though we didn’t get the results. “Regardless of what happens in the game, I can only thank them for buying into the game plan.” Against Munster, Smith will come face-to-face with a coach he knows very well, South African Johann van Graan, whom he worked with at the Springboks in 2017. Despite Munster having 12 players at the Rugby World Cup, Smith believes the visitors have already shown how dangerous they are. “At the beginning of the season, they are a bit more disrupted than Ulster was and they have a bunch of new names,” said Smith. “Knowing Johann very well, I know he is trying to blood a lot of players because he will need them again during the Six Nations. “I am sure he wants to test the depth in his squad, and there are some unknown names in their side, but they are a very organised and well-coached team. We know each other well, and he knows my philosophy.” In Port Elizabeth, the Isuzu Southern Kings will be looking to draw inspiration from the Toyota Cheetahs’ big win over Ulster last week when they meet at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday. But Isuzu Southern Kings assistant coach Vuyo Zangqa says his charges need to find a way to convert the chances they create into points and become more clinical in their play. “We looked at all three teams in our opening games, and when we looked at the Cardiff Blues, we knew we could beat them, but we fell short,” said the former Blitzbok speedster. “We also knew Munster was going to be tough, but we were too slow to get out of the blocks. “This week, we are hoping that the Toyota Cheetahs’ win against Ulster will give our boys a little more confidence and belief that we can do it. We analysed them and we know what they are going to bring, so we need to make sure we are more clinical in this game.” Zangqa called for more focus and patience from his side to exploit the attacking opportunities that present themselves. “At the end of the day the Isuzu Southern Kings haven’t won a game yet,” said Zangqa. “We don’t want to talk about last season, but we have seen some growth. We need to be more clinical because we were in the 22 four, five times and we didn’t convert, and it comes down to patience and focus. We took that forward in training this week, and hopefully we will get result this weekend.” Match Information: Toyota Cheetahs v Munster Date: Friday, 11 October SA time: 18h15 Venue: Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein Referee: Mike Adamson Assistant referees: Griffin Colby, Paul Mente TMO: Lourens van der Merwe TV: SS6 Isuzu Southern Kings v Ulster Date: Saturday, 12 October SA time: 16h00 Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth Referee: Craig Evans Assistant referees: Ian Davies, Ben Crouse TMO: Johan Greeff TV: SS2

Transvaal Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 30-Mar-2016 Status: Offline Points: 40235	Post Options Post Reply Quote Transvaal Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11-Oct-2019 at 7:41am
	Munster name side to face Cheetahs The Munster side has been named for Friday evening’s Guinness PRO14 clash against Cheetahs at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein (5.15pm Irish time, 6.15pm local time). Captain Billy Holland comes into the side as one of five changes to the team that beat Southern Kings last week with Tyler Bleyendaal, Nick McCarthy, Jeremy Loughman and Rhys Marshall also included. Mike Haley starts at full-back with Darren Sweetnam and Shane Daly, Man of the Match in both of Munster’s opening games, on either flank. McCarthy and Bleyendaal form a new half-back partnership with the centre pairing of Rory Scannell and Dan Goggin unchanged. Loughman, Marshall and Stephen Archer pack down in the front row with Fineen Wycherley and Holland in the engine room. The back row of Jack O’Donoghue, Tommy O’Donnell and Arno Botha is unchanged. Academy player Keynan Knox is in line to make his second PRO14 appearance off the bench. Munster: Mike Haley; Darren Sweetnam, Dan Goggin, Rory Scannell, Shane Daly; Tyler Bleyendaal, Nick McCarthy; Jeremy Loughman, Rhys Marshall, Stephen Archer; Fineen Wycherley, Billy Holland (C); Jack O’Donoghue, Tommy O’Donnell, Arno Botha. Replacements: Kevin O’Byrne, James Cronin, Keynan Knox, Darren O’Shea, Gavin Coombes, Alby Mathewson, JJ Hanrahan, Calvin Nash.

Transvaal Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 30-Mar-2016 Status: Offline Points: 40235	Post Options Post Reply Quote Transvaal Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11-Oct-2019 at 7:41am
	TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Toyota Cheetahs vs Munster Rugby The Toyota Cheetahs will face Munster Rugby in their last home game of the year on Friday, 11 October. The action kicks off at 18:15 (SA time) with a live broadcast on SuperSport 6, Premier Sports, eir Sport and DAZN. Gates open at 14:30 with a curtain raiser between the Amateur sides of the Free State and Leopards at 15:15. The two teams have met on four previous occasions in the Guinness PRO14 with Munster successful each time. The Toyota Cheetahs have won their last four Guinness PRO14 encounters but have never before won five in succession since they joined the competition in 2017. Munster’s only defeat in their last four away games in all tournaments was to Leinster in last season’s Guinness PRO14 semi-final. “Munster are a well organised, well-disciplined and well coached team with an excellent and experienced support staff and they’ll know what needs to be done to be competitive.” said Coach Franco Smith. “Johann van Graan and I know each other well, working together at the Springboks, so he’ll have his plans ready and know what to expect from us.” Club Captain, Tian Meyer said: “It is a team we haven’t beaten, so we see it as a challenge. There is confidence, but it is how you convert the confidence and momentum that you’ve worked up over the last few months.” “We’ve put our challenges out there and what we want to keep improving in the squad and we keep pushing and challenging each other to be better. We can’t focus on what is said out there. At the end of the day we have to play the game and put our best game out there. Our aim is to win on Friday evening and we know that it is going to be tough one.” Franco Smith announced the team for his last match as coach of the Toyota Cheetahs before handing over to Hawies Fourie, with some changes. Luan de Bruin returns from injury replacing Erich de Jager. Louis Fouche will start at centre due to Dries Swanepoel being side-lined by a calf injury. Clayton Blommetjies will provide cover on the bench. The following players are not eligible for team selection due to injury: Justin Basson (knee), Marnus van der Merwe (foot), Charles Marais (bicep) and Dries Swanepoel (calf). Rugby World Cup – Ruben de Haas (USA), Aranos Coetzee (Namibia). SA Sevens – Darren Adonis. Toyota Cheetahs vs Munster Rugby 11 October 2019. Kick-off: 18:15 (SA Time) Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein 1 Ox Nche 2 Joseph Dweba 3 Luan de Bruin 4 Sintu Manjezi 5 Walt Steenkamp 6 Gerhard Olivier 7 Junior Pokomela 8 Henco Venter 9 Ruan Pienaar (C ) 10 Tian Schoeman 11 Anthony Volmink 12 Louis Fouche 13 Benhard Janse van Rensburg 14 William Small-Smith 15 Rhyno Smith 16 Reinach Venter 17 Boan Venter 18 Neethling Fouche 19 JP du Preez 20 Sias Koen 21 Jasper Wiese 22 Tian Meyer 23 Clayton Blommetjies The referee for the match is Mike Adamson (SRU, 37th competition game). He will be assisted by Griffon Colby and Paul Mente (both SARU). The TMO is Lourens van der Merwe (SARU).