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Bloemfontein – Sias who?
That is probably how controversial Wallaby flyhalf Quade Cooper would have reacted this week had he been asked about his direct opponent in Saturday’s Super Rugby match in Brisbane.
The Cheetahs’ Sias Ebersohn is facing his biggest test to date when he faces up to Cooper in his side’s second tour match.
Ebersohn had his baptism of fire in the Cheetahs’ starting line-up against Elton Jantjies of the Lions, after which he played against the Waratahs’ Wallaby flyhalf, Berrick Barnes.
Now the exciting “magician” of the Reds - Cooper - awaits him.
While Ebersohn is still due to face up to the king of world flyhalves - Dan Carter of the Crusaders - his performance against Cooper will provide a good indication of where he stands.
Ebersohn has silenced his critics since being handed the Cheetahs’ No 10 jersey three weeks ago.
The 22-year-old flyhalf’s coaching team decided to pick him after he improved his goalkicking. He worked on his kicking with former Springbok flyhalf Louis Koen prior to the tournament.
There has never been any doubt about Ebersohn’s ability as an attacking flyhalf and that is why his duel with Cooper will certainly be watched with interest.
While Ebersohn may not have as many tattoos as his direct opponent and is also not as notorious, he'd no doubt prefer to make newspaper headlines for the right reasons.
Cooper is well-known for his escapades and has spent a night in jail for allegedly stealing laptop computers from a house in Surfers Paradise - where the Cheetahs are currently staying.
Cooper has scored the fifth-most points (59) in this year’s tournament and is also a player who likes to release team-mates into space.
After Brumbies flyhalf Matt Giteau and Crusaders centre Sonny Bill Williams, he has helped his team break the line most often, and he also regularly off-loads in the tackle.
Injured Cheetahs centre Andries Strauss believes his team-mates will have to be on their guard.
“Cooper will test our defence and it will be very important for us to give him as little time as possible to make decisions,” he said.
Ebersohn’s recent performances have not been flawless and his defence is a weakness that Cooper and the Reds will look to exploit.
Bloemfontein – Sias who?
That is probably how controversial Wallaby flyhalf Quade Cooper would have reacted this week had he been asked about his direct opponent in Saturday’s Super Rugby match in Brisbane.
The Cheetahs’ Sias Ebersohn is facing his biggest test to date when he faces up to Cooper in his side’s second tour match.
Ebersohn had his baptism of fire in the Cheetahs’ starting line-up against Elton Jantjies of the Lions, after which he played against the Waratahs’ Wallaby flyhalf, Berrick Barnes.
Now the exciting “magician” of the Reds - Cooper - awaits him.
While Ebersohn is still due to face up to the king of world flyhalves - Dan Carter of the Crusaders - his performance against Cooper will provide a good indication of where he stands.
Ebersohn has silenced his critics since being handed the Cheetahs’ No 10 jersey three weeks ago.
The 22-year-old flyhalf’s coaching team decided to pick him after he improved his goalkicking. He worked on his kicking with former Springbok flyhalf Louis Koen prior to the tournament.
There has never been any doubt about Ebersohn’s ability as an attacking flyhalf and that is why his duel with Cooper will certainly be watched with interest.
While Ebersohn may not have as many tattoos as his direct opponent and is also not as notorious, he'd no doubt prefer to make newspaper headlines for the right reasons.
Cooper is well-known for his escapades and has spent a night in jail for allegedly stealing laptop computers from a house in Surfers Paradise - where the Cheetahs are currently staying.
Cooper has scored the fifth-most points (59) in this year’s tournament and is also a player who likes to release team-mates into space.
After Brumbies flyhalf Matt Giteau and Crusaders centre Sonny Bill Williams, he has helped his team break the line most often, and he also regularly off-loads in the tackle.
Injured Cheetahs centre Andries Strauss believes his team-mates will have to be on their guard.
“Cooper will test our defence and it will be very important for us to give him as little time as possible to make decisions,” he said.
Ebersohn’s recent performances have not been flawless and his defence is a weakness that Cooper and the Reds will look to exploit.
