WP back to drawing board on breakdown tactics
WESTERN Province are going to have to rethink their breakdown strategy after two outings in which they came off second best in recent weeks.
Against the struggling Free State Cheetahs at Newlands, WP still managed to win but against the Blue Bulls at Loftus on Saturday, WP were comprehensively beaten at the breakdown. As a result, they were thrashed 47-29.
Rynhardt Elstadt, who has switched between No 4 lock and blindside flank for his entire career has been tasked with playing openside this season. And it is not working.
It is not all down to Elstadt, but without a specialist fetcher in the starting lineup, WP are struggling to attack the breakdown as a unit.
“Against the Bulls we were under such pressure on our own breakdown and we were turning over too much ball,” coach John Dobson said.
“As a result we struggled to get any momentum, we didn’t slow their momentum and we were in trouble from early on.
“We couldn’t get our attack going.
“We were in the game for a long time on the scoreboard, but that was flattering because we couldn’t move any bodies at the breakdown.
“If you look at it, Rynhardt was the one guy who was in there slowing them down as best he could.
“Chris Cloete, who is a specialist fetcher, played 30 minutes and made eight tackles, which is great, but I don’t recall him slowing any Bulls’ ball down. So I’m not sure that is the solution.”
Dobson admitted that he was mulling over some ideas and also trying to fully understand why the team were so poor as they leaked five tries against the Bulls.
He criticised all aspects from their play from tactical kicking and restarts, to optiontaking and said once the Bulls had attacking momentum it became harder to stop.
“Our failure was a collective effort and the only aspect we, as coaches, were pleased with was the scrum,” Dobson said.
“For some reason the attitude just wasn’t right. It shows at the defensive breakdown and we were lacking in that area. There was nothing wrong with our planning. “Our attitude let us down. “This was our 60 all-out in cricketing terms. The team was devastated and were hard on themselves afterwards.
“I’m sure attitude won’t be lacking again.
“Five points against the Cheetahs in our next game is vital.”
WP captain Nizaam Carr said: “We have to pull tight, regroup and start all over again. It’s only the third game and there is a long season ahead.
“If we’re smarter against the Cheetahs and pay more attention to detail this Friday, we will be all right.”
WP have picked up some minor injuries with prop Oliver Kebble out for a week due to a hamstring strain and lock Chris van Zyl out with strained knee ligaments.
Scrumhalf Nic Groom also is not available for this weekend’s game against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein because he will be playing for the Barbarians against Samoa in London.