WP coach Allister Coetzee says that his team wont be changing their attacking gameplan for the Currie Cup semi-final against the Blue Bulls.
Western Province beat the Blue Bulls in both league games this season, and that is why coach Allister Coetzee says that his team won’t be changing their attacking gameplan for a more conservative one in Saturday’s Currie Cup semi-final at Newlands.
In fact, since Coetzee took over the WP Currie Cup team in 2008, they have lost only once to the Blue Bulls at Newlands, although it was a big one – the 2009 semi-final, when Morné Steyn slotted a late penalty for a 21-19 win.
The Cape Times
While the Blue Bulls are traditionally a team that use a big kicking game and their forwards in a grinding, attritional style of play, Coetzee said that it doesn’t mean Province will be lured into such a battle.
And the main reason for that is that strike weapons Cheslin Kolbe and Seabelo Senatla are all set to return from injury and Springbok Sevens duty respectively.
But it is believed that utility back Justin Geduld suffered a broken nose while playing for the Sevens Boks in Australia at the weekend, so he won’t be fit.
Young lock Jean Kleyn is also likely to be back from his shoulder problem, while Coetzee may spring a further surprise at lock. The coach said that his first-choice fullback and No 4 lock have made significant progress with their rehabilitation.
“Cheslin already started training with us last week, and he is looking good. I didn’t see what happened in the Sevens, but Senatla scored three tries and will also be back in the mix. So luckily both those players played in the two Bulls games in the league phases,” Coetzee said after the past Saturday’s 28-20 defeat to the Sharks.
“Jean Kleyn has been training with us as well, so there’s also positive news there.”
Asked if Province will look to kick more due to the Blue Bulls’ playing style and because playoff games tend to be tight encounters, Coetzee said: “No, we will change very little of what has worked for us the whole season. I think that’s actually where you make the mistake – if you want to become too conservative.
“We always strive for a good balance, and what has worked for us in broken play, we will keep on doing that. We know that it is about first-phase possession, and that’s where the challenge will come from, in the scrums and lineouts. And of course the kicking game as well, we have to be prepared for that.
“The Bulls are normally a very tough opponent in playoff matches. And they’ve got experience in Handré Pollard, a general at 10, who will come to Newlands. But for us, it doesn’t matter who we are playing against. It’s about being back at Newlands and playing in a semi-final. But we want to go two steps further – making the final and going all the way.”
Coetzee admitted that he has a “few big calls” to make at lock. Gerbrandt Grobler came through his return from a long-term shoulder injury to add his name to the mix along with Kleyn, Manuel Carizza and Rynhardt Elstadt.
But the Cape Times understands that Coetzee is seriously considering bulking up the WP pack to deal with the physical Blue Bulls unit by utilising Michael Rhodes at No 5 lock. Rhodes was a success in the second row for the Stormers this year when injuries sidelined a number of locks, and the former Lions star has been a superb in the Currie Cup at blindside flank too.
Coetzee revealed that he was considering picking Elstadt at No 7 instead of lock due to Kleyn’s return, so having Rhodes at No 5 and Elstadt at flank would be a clever plan to counter giant Blue Bulls such as lock Paul Willemse and Jacques du Plessis at blindside flank.
Carizza would normally slot in at No 5 and call the lineouts, but he probably lacks that hard edge physically to withhold the Blue Bulls onslaught.
After being a bit off the pace against the Cheetahs last week in his return from suspension, Elstadt was back to his robust best against the Sharks when carrying the ball and in defence. “Jean Kleyn has been playing really well this year, and you know that you’ve got to front up physically against the Bulls,” Coetzee said.
“So you might just use a player like Rynhardt as a loose forward in combination with (Nizaam) Carr, Michael Rhodes and (Sikhumbuzo) Notshe (on the bench), if you look at a bit of bulk. And guys that can play with the ball like Nizaam Carr and Notshe, it’s also an option to go with that.”
Another scenario could see Elstadt and Rhodes in the loose trio alongside Carr, with Kleyn and Carizza at lock, but that would be unfair on Sikhumbuzo Notshe, who has excelled in an unfamiliar openside flank position.
Notshe got a chance at his preferred No 8 spot against the Sharks and was terrific, bringing the same attributes to the side that Carr does with his speed and skill, leading to Coetzee saying he was a “revelation”.
Coetzee stated that players pushing for semi-final starting spots are Elstadt, Grobler, Oli Kebble and Kurt Coleman. Of that group, Coleman would be a better choice at No 10 than Demetri Catrakilis to take on Bok flyhalf Handré Pollard.
Coleman won his personal duel with Pollard during the Super Rugby clash in July in a 16-0 Stormers victory, and showed some neat touches in general play against the Sharks, while he attacked the advantage line with vigour as well. Coleman also scored a try and recorded a 100% goal-kicking performance (four out of four).
But despite having greater variety and a stronger defence, Coleman is unlikely to get the nod from Coetzee as the coach regards Catrakilis as WP’s No 1 flyhalf at the moment.
Surely Coetzee means they will stick to their “defend and counter attack” game plan.
http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/CurrieCup/Stonehouse-Bulls-too-physical-for-WP-20141014
Interesting to note the comments of Jimmy Stonehouse. I can’t agree with him. While Paul Willemse brings a lot of physicality to the Bulls, Dean Greyling usually brings a couple of penalties with him for the opponents on match day
@ charlesm:
I think whatever the Bulls tight brings bring in physicality will be matched by the mobility by the PW loose forwards.
Greyling has conceded 20 penalties in 619 minutes
to
Pat Cilliers’ 14 in 529 minutes
Their stats are pretty even.
But Dean dominates a key are in the game
Turnovers won 13 – 0
So I suppose it is about getting that balance, maar Dean lek sy lippe af vir julle 😉
@ MacroBlouBul:
Ek dink ‘n paar manne hier in die Kaap lek self hulle lippe af ! 😆
3 @ MacroBlouBul:
Based on those stat’s, it means that Dean gives away 2,6 penalties per game, whilst Pat gives away 2,1.
Based on a differential of 0,5 penalties per game, that equates to a maximum of 1,5 points per game.
Hardly a match winning stat imo.
Or is it a question of “Lies, damn lies and statistics”?
@ Scrumdown:
Hey sd, it is all from the vodacom stats app.
13 turnovers “could have” ended in 13 tries or 13 penalties as well. (39 points)… which would more than 4 points per game.
Lies damn lies and statistics as you say 🙂
2 @ charlesm:
agree with you bud… and paul ain’t the most mobile forward around either… (although he is getting much better than he used to be…)
gonna be a great game i think…
i just hope no wp player “sireli’s” us this time…!! 😆
@ ufo:
Paul is, was and will always be awesome.
@ ufo: yes ufo we need to have 15 men on the park for 80 minutes. Let’s hope Elstadt and co keep their cool !
I am glad to see this on the WP’s website:
http://wprugby.com/coming-to-the-game-respect-those-around-you/
Every week the announcer asks the crowd to respect the kicker etc. but the silence only lasts for a short while until some idiot starts booing again.
@ charlesm:
We give you PW guys a lot of grief about the Boo’s. the union has done good work, especially that video the players made… all it takes though is one idiot to ruin it, but just give it time.
Surely this Bulls team is no threat to a Province team that has excelled throughout this season’s CC.
In their own backyard….
@ MacroBlouBul:
Yes we are trying !!
On Saturday they repeatedly asked the crowd to show respect to the kickers and referee etc.
They actually urged spectators to ask people sitting around them and that were booing, to keep quiet. I have tried it in the past with various degree of success.
8 @ MacroBlouBul:
i’m happy that you’re happy with paul… 😉
9 @ charlesm:
great initiative to see…
i get so embarrassed and p’d off when people boo…
i have also seen spectators in ‘other’ jerseys booing once when there was a minute’s silence… really annoying…
@ Jeraldjay:
I guess we are the favourites but in play-off rugby anything can happen.
I’m sure WP will not underestimate the Bulls
11 @ Jeraldjay:
Bulls are playing much better these last few weeks…
@ charlesm:
Yes it is difficult, especially when the boo’ers are in groups and full of beer and brandewyn muscles.
sorry charles macro and jj…
very rude of me not to say hi and good evening…
Hi Guys…
Good evening…!!
@ Jeraldjay:
I have no hope for the Bulls, the last two games I missed and the Blue bulls cheetahs game both teams deserved minus points.
From the highlights of the Griquas game the bulls appeared to only score against 14 men.
PW at a canter.
we’re lucky burger odendaal is not playing… he’s been really good… i would have liked him to play…
@ ufo:
hehe it is about the informal nature of blogging on the internet!
But I hope you had a good day
we’ve tripped up in so many semis before… i don’t believe any wp supporter will take this game lightly or expect an expected victory…
21 @ MacroBlouBul:
cheers macro… but to just jump into a convo without the niceties… is bad form…
every day is a great day to be alive bud…!! how can it not be good…?!
@ ufo:
The fear of tripping over your own feet!
24 @ MacroBlouBul:
yip…!! 😆
@ ufo:
Glass half full! 😀
@ ufo:
You guys have a far superior loose forward combination. So the bulls will attack and attack and get nowhere.
Hi UFO and Charles … WP jou lekker ding.
Oh yes…. and hi Macro.
😆
Elstadt has so much potential.
But injuries at inopportune moments has disrupted his progress.
Hope he can have a decent run.
Jeraldjay wrote:
Ok maar lekker kommin
😆
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