Province can't win on paper
Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:02
Follow my lead: Jean de Villiers gives his team direction
Western Province coach Allister Coetzee, despite naming seven of his returning Springboks and five other internationals in his starting XV, has dismissed the notion that his team will start as favourites in their Currie Cup crunch match against the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
Coetzee named a team - to be captained by centre Jean de Villiers - that includes returning Boks Conrad Jantjes at fullback, De Villiers in the No.12 jersey, scrumhalf Ricky Januarie, loose forwards Luke Watson and Schalk Burger, lock Andries Bekker and prop Brian Mujati.
The other internationals include Bok wing Tonderai Chavhanga, centre Gcobani Bobo, who captained the team in the absence of De Villiers, Fijian star Sireli Naqelevuki, flyhalf Peter Grant (back from injury) and hooker Schalk Brits.
Coetzee admitted that it was good to have the Boks back as his side looks to get back into the play-off race - trailing the fourth-placed Lions by nine points with just five rounds to go to the semifinals.
The Province coach said the international players have "slotted in well" with the team, but added that the large number of returning Boks doesn't mean WP are now favourites against a Cheetahs team that will have only a couple of players back.
"Games are not won on paper," Coetzee told a media gathering on Wednesday.
"We haven't played together as a combination for a while and we still have to go out there and play well," he said when asked if his team should be regarded as outright favourites.
He also pointed out that other teams will always "target" Province and aim to prove themselves against the Springbok players.
However, he does feel that the return of the Boks this week has made a "massive" difference and you could see a huge lift in the intensity at training.
Naqelevuki, who was brought back by WP Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus after a specially arranged trip to Fiji last month, last played two months ago at the Pacific Nations Cup.
But Coetzee said he trained well and looks ready to deliver on the promise he made to the side.
Springbok Percy Montgomery, now retired from Test rugby, is suffering from a stomach ailment and was not considered for the match.
Western Province: 15 Conrad Jantjes, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Gcobani Bobo, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 11 Sireli Naqelevuki, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Ricky Januarie, 8 Luke Watson, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Adriaan
Fondse, 3 Brian Mujati, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Wicus Blaauw.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 JC Kritzinger, 18 AJ Venter, 19 Nick Koster, 20 Bolla Conradie, 21 Joe Pietersen, 22 Wylie Human.
Date: Saturday, September 6
Venue: Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Phillip
Bosch
Touch judges: Pro Legoete, Peet Badenhorst
TMO: Shaun Veldsman
