WP’s Dobson unleashes best of pack for Currie Cup battle
WESTERN Province coach John Dobson has signalled his attacking intent by selecting Damian Willemse at fullback for tomorrow’s Currie Cup final against the Sharks at King’s Park.
Willemse‚ who has played flyhalf and centre at first-class level‚ comes into the last line with Dillyn Leyds moving to left wing.
Ruhan Nel‚ who started on the left wing in last week’s semifinal win over the Golden Lions‚ moves into outside centre in place of the injured EW Viljoen.
Up front, Dobson has reshuffled his pack because of injury to flank Jaco Coetzee‚ who suffered a concussion against the Lions.
Sikhumbuzo Notshe comes in as a straight replacement while Cobus Wiese returns to the starting lineup with Kobus van Dyk dropping to the bench as WP look to up their physicality for the match.
“We think the Sharks will come with a big kicking game‚ both contestable and distance and having two fullbacks on the field will be useful‚” Dobson said.
“Damian also gives us some good kicking options and it’s a case of trying to get our best players on the field for the entire match.
“We’ve also worked hard on getting Damian to come into the first receiver role‚ and Dillyn can do that too. It gives us options on attack.
“One of the big threats is the Sharks pack getting momentum on the gainline and we simply have to stop that. Cobus Wiese has some big stopping power and this is a big game for him.
“There is not doubt in my mind that he is a future Springbok but he needs to work on some aspects of his game‚ which he has gone and done.”
Dobson said that WP and flyhalf Rob du Preez would not be targeting Sharks flyhalf Curwin Bosch in particular‚ but that he wanted to play close to the gainline to put pressure on the Sharks’ defence.
Two weeks ago WP beat the Sharks 31-20 in Durban‚ and on that day Du Preez gave Bosch a hard time.
The WP pivot is also up against his brothers – Sharks looseforwards Dan and Jean-Luc – while father Rob is the team’s coach.
“It’s not about targeting one man‚” Dobson said.
“I don’t want Rob [Du Preez] to feel like he has to go and win the Currie Cup single handedly or have a family feud out there.
“I want a copy and paste of what he did in Durban two weeks ago.
“He took the ball flat because he played closer to the gainline‚ and I want to see that again.
“We have to stop their momentum and I have a picture that we can win the final. But I also have a picture of how we can lose.
“If we allow them momentum in contact and are under pressure then we won’t win.”
Former wing James Small‚ with familiar fist thumping authority‚ is predicting a Sharks win‚ erstwhile lock Nico Wegner is a little more measured in his expectation of a WP triumph‚ while Dick Muir believes we will witness a spectacle in the climax of the domestic season.
“I think the Sharks at home are just going to be too strong. Defensively the Sharks are going to be very sound,” said Small.
Former WP lock Wegner said: “I think it is 50/50. The fact that Western Province won there recently and their defence I think puts them ahead by a short head. “Defence can pull you through in a final. “I think the Sharks' momentum has been slightly broken.
“Both teams can jol. Both are playing nice rugby‚ when they decide the give the ball some air.
“But then‚ you know what it's like in finals‚ teams become more conservative.”
The forever sanguine Muir expects quite the opposite: “I think it is going to be quite an epic final. It is going to be one of those we haven't seen for a little while. It will be a really great game. “Both teams are pretty balanced. “Their skill levels have improved as the season has gone on. They are playing a nice brand of rugby.
“It will be close but I think Sharks will come out on top.”
Meanwhile, Jaco Peyper has been appointed to referee his third Currie Cup final.
He will be assisted by Egon Seconds and AJ Jacobs‚ while Marius Jonker will be the television match official. — Times LIVE the