News

Province out to make amends

August 01 2008

Western Province coach Allister Coetzee views this weekend'sCurrie Cup match against the Lions in Johannesburg as a chance to make amends for the unexpected defeat against the Falcons.

Province lost two consecutive away games against so-called minnows Griquas and the Falcons before bouncing back with a bonus point win over Boland at Newlands last Saturday.

Now the coach wants to strengthen the team's position on the Currie Cup table with a first away win this season.

"If we win we cancel out the defeat to the Falcons," said Coetzee.

"To finish the first round of the Currie Cup on 21 or 22 points wouldn't be bad at all, particularly if you consider that most of our second-round games are at home."

Coetzee acknowledged the team hasn't won away from home this season yet and they are keen to change that situation around.

"We would like to turn it around and keep the consistency going," he said.

"We are going up there with the intention of coming home with the points, which would be a breakthrough in turning around the season altogether.

"Things would then look good because the majority of our second round games are at home.

"It would not be easy though. Before the game against the Natal Sharks the Lions had back to back wins and it will be a massive challenge.

"They only have one player out on Springbok duty, while we have eleven and that must make a difference.

"It is however a challenge for us and we are really looking forward to playing them up there and we must just make sure we win the game this weekend."

Coetzee fears that the much-vaunted Lions back row trio of captain Cobus Grobbelaar, Franco van der Merwe and Willem Alberts could wreak havoc on Saturday and has taken precautions to counter that threat.

Coetzee on Thursday named Springbok hooker Schalk Brits at number eight and he will be partnered by flankers AJ Venter and Francois Louw.

However, Brits will still be doing the hooker's throw-in chores at line-out time.

On the bench their back-up will come from Pieter Louw, Justin Melck and Nick Koster. If Province still have problems trying to hold their own in the loose, they will have an option of moving AJ Venter to lock and then play with four loose forwards.

"We (Western Province) don't want go up against the Lions lacking in pace on attack and defence," said Coetzee.

"When the game opens up we may play with four loose forwards.

"It's going to a tough game and we have to have guys who are quick around the park to shut down their chasing lines.

"If there is an opportunity to run it (the ball) then we have the pace on the bench. I think we're well covered, and what we've done just gives us more loose forward options. "

Western Province flanker Francois Louw also spoke about the Lions' threat at the breakdown.

"On Saturday we'll see a great battle on the ground. They have some great ball stealers," said Louw.

"The Lions move the ball quickly on the ground so we'll have to up our game in that regard."