WP, Coetzee cling onto semi hopes
Tue, 02 Sep 2008 16:45
Western Province coach Allister Coetzee is adamant that his team, buoyed by the return of their Springboks from international duty, will not be giving up yet in their quest for a Currie Cup semifinal berth.
Coach Coetzee gave Province fans that assurance this week before the team's trip to Bloemfontein for Saturday's match against the Cheetahs.
Province realise they are in a precarious position, fifth on the log with 17 points after nine matches and nine points behind the fourth-placed Lions.
But the coach's motto is that it was not over until the fat lady sings.
"We definitely still have a chance of making the semifinals. We are not giving up. We know that if we end up in the 40s [40 points] on the log, then anything can still happen."
Any team would gleefully welcome back stars such as Conrad Jantjes, Percy Montgomery, Jean de Villiers, Luke Watson, Schalk Burger, Andries Bekker and Brian Mujati. Peter Grant, who has recovered from a shoulder injury, and wing Sereli Naqalevuki, back from Fiji, would provide a further boost to Coetzee's side.
With the wealth of talent at his disposal the coach has a few tough calls to make about who to include in the starting XV and who to play off the bench, particularly at fullback, where Jantjes, Gio Aplon and Montgomery are vying for the same jersey.
"Connie [Jantjes] is playing excellent rugby at the moment. You select the in-form guys," commented the coach.
"It is also nice to have a Springbok who has played more than 100 Tests in your squad," he told the WP official website.
The coach will be making an announcement about his captain at Wednesday's media conference. De Villiers led the Stormers in the Super 14 with a lot of success, while Gcobani Bobo is the Province leader.
"I will have a conversation with both players. Jean is the senior captain and there won't be any problems. It is important that everybody is informed."
