Cape Town - Griquas flank Justin Downey is more than ready to play a big role for the Cheetahs, says Griquas coach Pote Human.
Downey was impressive when he came on as a substitute for the Cheetahs in their victory over the Rebels last Sunday. Statistics show that in just 16 minutes on the field, he made eight tackles, many of them telling in repelling the Rebels' advance. It has subsequently earned him a place in the starting line-up for their clash against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday.
The former Shark with the surfer-boy looks was also impressive for the Cheetahs in their first game on tour against the Brumbies.
"Justin has thus far made an enormous impact as a substitute.
"He can mean even more for the Cheetahs if he gets more game-time.
"He is definitely ready to show his worth in the starting team," Human told the Volksblad newspaper.
Human, however, has warned that the Crusaders will be a tough prospect at the breakdown-even without All Black captain Richie McCaw.
"It will definitely be a tough battle."
The clash in Christchurch kicks off at 08:35 (SA time) on Saturday.
Teams:
Crusaders:
TBA
Cheetahs:
15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Cameron Jacobs, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Willie le Roux, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Tewis de Bruyn, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Justin Downey, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen, 4 George Earle, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Trevor Nyakane
Substitutes: 16 Hercu Liebenberg, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Andries Ferreira, 19 Ashley Johnson, 20 Piet van Zyl, 21 Sias Ebersohn, 22 Ryno Benjamin
Downey was impressive when he came on as a substitute for the Cheetahs in their victory over the Rebels last Sunday. Statistics show that in just 16 minutes on the field, he made eight tackles, many of them telling in repelling the Rebels' advance. It has subsequently earned him a place in the starting line-up for their clash against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday.
The former Shark with the surfer-boy looks was also impressive for the Cheetahs in their first game on tour against the Brumbies.
"Justin has thus far made an enormous impact as a substitute.
"He can mean even more for the Cheetahs if he gets more game-time.
"He is definitely ready to show his worth in the starting team," Human told the Volksblad newspaper.
Human, however, has warned that the Crusaders will be a tough prospect at the breakdown-even without All Black captain Richie McCaw.
"It will definitely be a tough battle."
The clash in Christchurch kicks off at 08:35 (SA time) on Saturday.
Teams:
Crusaders:
TBA
Cheetahs:
15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Cameron Jacobs, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Willie le Roux, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Tewis de Bruyn, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Justin Downey, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen, 4 George Earle, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Trevor Nyakane
Substitutes: 16 Hercu Liebenberg, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Andries Ferreira, 19 Ashley Johnson, 20 Piet van Zyl, 21 Sias Ebersohn, 22 Ryno Benjamin