The Citizen (Gauteng)

Dobson breathes big sigh of relief

FRUSTRATED: COACH QUESTIONS REF’S INTERPRETA­TION

-

Rudolph Jacobs

Western Province coach John Dobson tried in vain to contain his frustratio­n with referee Egon Seconds after their pulsating extra-time 35-32 Currie Cup semifinal win over a gallant Blue Bulls side at Newlands on Saturday.

With wing SP Marais emerging as the big hero with 30 points, the victory set up a final this weekend against the Sharks in Cape Town.

It was set to be the fourth headto-head cup decider between the two teams since 2012, with Province having won in Durban in 2012 and 2017, and the Sharks having lifted the crown at Newlands in 2013.

“Egon is a great referee, but we were frustrated with the off-side lines and every time the scrum went down,” Dobson said.

“But later it didn’t seem to really matter that much.”

Questions were also raised about the Bulls’ first two tries by flank Ruan Steenkamp and wing Duncan Matthews.

“I think they probably did get away with a couple of things which are hard to referee,” Dobson said.

Dobson, however, credited the Bulls on a superb performanc­e, in a game they could have won had the last-minute conversion of centre Dylan Sage’s try by flyhalf Manie Libbok not drifted wide.

“I thought they were excellent and a lot of credit must go to Pote (Human, Bulls coach) and his team,” he said.

“I thought being 6-0 up, if we got two scores ahead we would be okay, but then they scored twice and got their tails up, and they just kept coming back and back.”

With the Bulls outscoring the home team by four tries to two, Dobson said the game had taught him a few lessons, which could see a few tweaks to his side for the final on Saturday (4pm).

“This kind of game will benefit us in the final,” Dobson said.

“I did say in the week we wanted to be tested, but not quite like that. I meant like a 19-12 maybe.

“But going into extra time we were severely tested and learned a couple of lessons, maybe in selection as well as our kicking game, which was very poor.”

 ?? Picture: Gallo Images ?? UNSTOPPABL­E. Western Province wing SP Marais scored 30 points in their Currie Cup semifinal against the Blue Bulls at Newlands on Saturday.
Picture: Gallo Images UNSTOPPABL­E. Western Province wing SP Marais scored 30 points in their Currie Cup semifinal against the Blue Bulls at Newlands on Saturday.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from South Africa