No Singapore holiday for Cheetahs
by Liam Del Carme,
2016-03-09 05:00:00.0
THE Cheetahs are hardly treating Saturday’s first Super Rugby match in Singapore yet against hosts the Sunwolves as an occasion for pomp and ceremony. Their itinerary is more tailored to a smash-and-grab routine, so much so that they will be back in time to sing praise in their domestic parish on Sunday.
"We are going to make a short trip of it," said coach Franco Smith. "We fly out on Thursday morning and we fly back to be in church on Sunday morning. It is a short trip and we are not going to make a big thing of it."
Smith wants no distractions. His team is playing in a cosmopolitan trade route hot spot known for its eclectic shops and exquisite cuisine.
"I’m going to make them Google the sights and sounds so that they don’t walk around there looking at everything. It is not a shopping trip."
The Cheetahs have to overcome a time difference, more in tune with a trip to Perth, which allows them the opportunity for a quick turnaround. "We’ve made specific plans how we are going to handle the six-hour time difference. It will be small changes. We are going to finish the hard work early in the week in Bloemfontein, where we are comfortable. We will sharpen up when we get there."
Smith had expected the Sunwolves to acclimatise properly from cold Tokyo to sticky Singapore, but the new franchise will arrive at their second home only on Thursday.
Moreover, the game will be played with the roof of the state-of-the-art, 55,000-seater National Stadium closed. The Cheetahs played the Stormers when temperatures peaked at 31°C last Saturday and they more than the supposed hosts, may feel more at home in the sweltering conditions.
The Sunwolves have not been done any favours. They have to play three of their four "home" games against South African opposition in Singapore and they were handed a bye in only the second week of the tournament.
"What I have learnt through many years in Super Rugby is the draw, and you have to make the best of whatever you have," coach Mark Hammett told the Japan Times, before adding they took the time to work on team cohesion and structures.
They after all, had trained for just two-and-a-half weeks before they played and gave a decent account of themselves against the Lions.
The Cheetahs, however, are taking nothing for granted after two successive defeats in the opening two rounds of Super Rugby.
"We looked at the first game and they are quite physical themselves," said Smith. "They have a similar attitude in that they want to play, which means they are also going to make mistakes. We don’t underestimate them. We’re expecting a tough challenge. Whether they are new entrants or not, we want to measure ourselves on a weekly basis."
FIRE: Cheetahs coach Franco Smith plans to make short work of the Sunwolves. Picture: GALLO IMAGES/JOHAN PRETORIUS
THE Cheetahs are hardly treating Saturday’s first Super Rugby match in Singapore yet against hosts the Sunwolves as an occasion for pomp and ceremony. Their itinerary is more tailored to a smash-and-grab routine, so much so that they will be back in time to sing praise in their domestic parish on Sunday.
"We are going to make a short trip of it," said coach Franco Smith. "We fly out on Thursday morning and we fly back to be in church on Sunday morning. It is a short trip and we are not going to make a big thing of it."
Smith wants no distractions. His team is playing in a cosmopolitan trade route hot spot known for its eclectic shops and exquisite cuisine.
"I’m going to make them Google the sights and sounds so that they don’t walk around there looking at everything. It is not a shopping trip."
The Cheetahs have to overcome a time difference, more in tune with a trip to Perth, which allows them the opportunity for a quick turnaround. "We’ve made specific plans how we are going to handle the six-hour time difference. It will be small changes. We are going to finish the hard work early in the week in Bloemfontein, where we are comfortable. We will sharpen up when we get there."
Smith had expected the Sunwolves to acclimatise properly from cold Tokyo to sticky Singapore, but the new franchise will arrive at their second home only on Thursday.
Moreover, the game will be played with the roof of the state-of-the-art, 55,000-seater National Stadium closed. The Cheetahs played the Stormers when temperatures peaked at 31°C last Saturday and they more than the supposed hosts, may feel more at home in the sweltering conditions.
The Sunwolves have not been done any favours. They have to play three of their four "home" games against South African opposition in Singapore and they were handed a bye in only the second week of the tournament.
"What I have learnt through many years in Super Rugby is the draw, and you have to make the best of whatever you have," coach Mark Hammett told the Japan Times, before adding they took the time to work on team cohesion and structures.
They after all, had trained for just two-and-a-half weeks before they played and gave a decent account of themselves against the Lions.
The Cheetahs, however, are taking nothing for granted after two successive defeats in the opening two rounds of Super Rugby.
"We looked at the first game and they are quite physical themselves," said Smith. "They have a similar attitude in that they want to play, which means they are also going to make mistakes. We don’t underestimate them. We’re expecting a tough challenge. Whether they are new entrants or not, we want to measure ourselves on a weekly basis."
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