WP top Currie Cup log with whitewash over Cheetahs
IF THERE was a showstopper in this Currie Cup fixture yesterday, the weather conditions would probably have bagged that title.
Wet conditions had been expected in the week build up to WP’S opener at Newlands, and coach John Dobson flagged the aerial contest as an area that they AUCKLAND: Beauden Barrett ended any debate as to whether he deserved the All Blacks starting flyhalf role as he scored four tries in the world champions’ 40-12 Rugby Championship victory over Australia at Eden Park yesterday.
Barrett’s position had been the subject of public debate before the southern hemisphere competition began after a below-par Super Rugby season as Richie Mo’unga guided the Canterbury Crusaders to their ninth title. would have to get right - seeing that he was expecting a kicking game in unpleasant underfoot conditions.
Instead, the visitors kept ball in hand a lot. The Province coach also said the Cheetahs last year showed how well they can hold onto the ball in testing conditions.
But Province deserved all the credit, while the Cheetahs - who lost their opener last week - will need to make a drastic step-up.
Getting a good start in the competition was always going to be crucial in the new single-round format. And a good start to the Newlands match itself - before the rain really started to come down was just as crucial.
The hosts gained an unassailable lead by the end of the third quarter (32-0) after a try by wing Ruhan Nel and two penalty kicks plus a conversion by fullback SP Marais made it 13-0 at the break. Three more tries in the second half added to WP’S pleasing performance.
Early in the second half it would become evident just how important those scores were. The pitch started to resemble a water slide shortly after the teams switched sides. And while mistakes naturally crept in, there was some play by the home side that would have been considered impressive even if the weather had been perfect.
Nel scored after scrumhalf Jano Vermaak followed up some strong carrying by lock JD Schickerling in opposition 22 with a quick pass to the Blitzbok star on his outside. And while Nel’s step before straightening his line to visit the tryline was good, his general contribution was also noteworthy, especially given that he was the only player in WP’S matchday squad who didn’t go on tour to France.
No 8 Juarno Augustus showed why he’s considered such a prospect with powerful carries and massive work to propel himself over the whitewash, while that physicality that Dobson said has become a more frequent sight in Sikhumbuzo Notshe’s sweet-stepping game was also on show.
Province top the Currie Cup log ahead of their away game against the Pumas on Friday. half-time certainly helped us get momentum.”
Barrett almost added a fifth try, but it was ruled out by the television match official for an earlier knock-on by Ardie Savea.
“To be fair I wasn’t worried about that,” Barrett said.
“It was more about finishing the game off strongly. I was not too worried about the scoreboard and was really interested in keeping on the pressure. I didn’t know what the score was, it was just good fun.” – Reuters