Injury-riddled WP to avoid 'train smash'
Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:35
Western Province, with two key players ruled out are determined to turn their season around when they face the Lions in Johannesburg on Friday.
Province lost star wing star wing Gio Aplon, who was recalled to the Springboks squad.
However, of bigger concern is the injury to hooker Tiaan Liebenberg, who has been ruled out for up to six weeks, after limping off the field in the 22nd minute of his team's 24-29 loss to the Free State Cheetahs last Friday.
Liebenberg had scans done on the ankle injury on Monday and after consulting a specialist it was confirmed that he may be sidelined for the remainder of the team's league matches.
Despite the setbacks WP coach Allister Coetzee was adamant that his team could turn their recent slump around.
Although the defeat to the Cheetahs hurts, as did the loss to the Sharks the week before, Coetzee said two defeats in a row is not a train smash.
"I think credit to the Cheetahs; they played well, but we were our own worst enemies," Coetzee said of the first Currie Cup loss at Newlands this season.
The coach added that last Friday's game proved just how tough the Currie Cup competition is.
"The Blue Bulls went to Witbank and they lost [to the Pumas]," Coetzee said. "Two losses in the competition is definitely not a train smash.
"I'm very positive we'll pick it up and try and turn things around against the Lions."
He spoke of the "many mistakes" in the first half which really took the pressure off the Cheetahs and put Province under pressure.
"We weren't holding onto the ball.
"Secondly, I think discipline was an issue. Conceding penalties with a good kicker like Louis Strydom ensured he kept the scoreboard rolling for them and it's difficult to play catch-up and when you get the scoreboard ticking on the other side it lifts their confidence.
"We basically let ourselves down badly in the first half with not retaining and holding on to the ball. It was a much improved performance in the second half."
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