Dobson wants to hit where it hurts

Rudolph Jacobs

Western Province coach John Dobson believes he has seen areas of the Sharks game they could possibly exploit in this weekend’s Currie Cup final in Durban.

It will be the third time the past six years that the teams have contested the showpiece with each team winning once.

Dobson said while their 31-20 win over the Sharks two weeks ago will count for little this weekend, he has identified some key elements.

“We have seen opportunities against them in how to attack against their defensive system which won’t change before this weekend,” he said.

Dobson said they know too well what had worked in that game wouldn’t necessarily work this Saturday.

“We are not reading too much into that game, because we can get technical and analyse the game a lot, but it has also to do with the mental side and they didn’t need to win that game,” he said.

With the Sharks winning the earlier game in Cape Town 21-20, it has often worked out that the visiting team got the upper hand as far as these two teams are concerned.

“I think it is going to be a cracking final, we are up for it and keen,” said Dobson. “If you look at the teams I think these are the two best teams, so it is the best final that you could get in terms of the players that are going to be out there and the style of rugby they play.”

Dobson praised the fight his team showed in the semifinal, but added that they can definitely lift their game even further this week.

“Against a team that attacks with the width and the nuances that the Lions do, I thought we were defensively excellent,” the coach said.

I still don’t believe that we were at the desired level yet,” Dobson added.