Griquas lose 13-try thriller
FROM the defending Currie Cup champion Cheetahs thumping Western Province 30-17 yesterday in Bloemfontein to the Sharks shutting out the Pumas 29-0 on Saturday, after the very same Pumas had beaten the Lions last week; and then to the Tafel Lager Griquas’ narrow 48-43 loss in the try-fest in Johannesburg on Saturday, this Currie Cup season has offered up a scoring buffet for the rugby fan.
Thus far in the opening two rounds of the Premier Division of this competition 401 points have been scored.
Last week’s opening round saw 234 points being notched up and this weekend saw a further 167 points being added; and as thrilling as it may be to have teams attacking and scoring tries, it’s also turning out to be a bit of a concern to see defences in South African rugby so easily penetrated.
In Griquas’ case, Saturday was the second time that they competed in a game where over 90 points were scored, and all the Kimberley side have to show for all their enterprise and bravery is two bonus points – this after they also picked up two points in last week’s defeat to the Blue Bulls at Tafel Lager Park.
Griquas head coach Peter Engledow was not a happy despite his team being involved in another tough, thrilling 13-try slugfest, saying that the visitors only had themselves to blame.
“Although we started well we were, however, very disappointed with the outcome,” the coach said. “In the first half we gave away far too much possession through turnovers as well as offloads, which we will start rectifying sticking together just like the EP Kings did after they had won their first match in the Super Rugby competition. We also need to be more competitive in the Currie Cup and start focusing on our work rate in an effort to turn things around to reach our goal.”
Engledow also said that Griquas next big challenge will be to play three big matches in eight days. “This has been a long season for us, 12 weeks on the go without a real decent break and we want to fix things, as we now have to compete in three matches in eight days, which is going to be really tough.
“On Friday we play the Sharks in Durban, then we head back home to take on Western Province on Wednesday and then we face the Cheetahs, in Bloemfontein on Saturday.”
The coach didn’t mince his words when he said what had to happen in these encounters.
“Wins are going to be essential (if we hope) to turn things around,” he said. DEFENCE, DEFENCE, DEFENCE: Wendal Wehr of the Tafel Lager Griquas goes in to tackle Ryan Kankowski of the Xerox Golden Lions during the Currie Cup match at Emirates Airlines Ellis Park Stadium on Saturday.