Proudfoot: Cut out the 'silly' penalties
Tue, 07 Sep 2010 09:23
Ironing out the problems: WP forwards coach Matt Proudfoot. (c) Gallo
Western Province forwards coach Matthew Proudfoot believes that his side need to be hard on themselves and cut out all the 'silly' penalties at the breakdown after a disappointing 28-46 loss against the Lions.
Having made a fantastic unbeaten start in the Currie Cup competition, WP have gone off the boil lately, losing their last three matches against the Sharks, Cheetahs and Lions.
Proudfoot outlined needless penalties at crucial stages in the game as the major cause for concern and the need for better game discipline and decision-making.
"We were in control of that game [against the Lions] ten minutes before the end of the first half, and then we conceded three penalties that put us on the back foot leading into the second half," Proudfoot told rugby365.com.
"At stages in the games we played really well and then we would lose game discipline and give away silly penalties and that is very disappointing.
"[In the second half] the Lions came out and put the pressure on us and forced us into some costly turnovers."
Adjusting to the referee and keeping discipline at the breakdown will eradicate the unnecessary penalties Province have been conceding.
"The scrum penalties are a lot easier to fix than breakdown penalties - guys are making decisions and going for the ball and then the referee has to make a decision, and it could be the wrong call," he said.
"There are over 100 breakdowns a game, so a lot of good decision-making needs to be done. We need to be sharp and harsh on each other about not shooting each other in the foot or the good work we are doing will be negated by bad decisions."
Province will get three Springboks back this week, and Proudfoot expects Jean de Villiers, Juan de Jongh and Gio Aplon all to be included in the starting XV.
The return of De Villiers and De Jongh will offer a much-needed boost to the midfield, after Tim Whitehead and Frikkie Welsh were injured during the Lions match.
"Frikkie spent a night in hospital with pain in his arm, so we know he won't be available this week. Tim injured his ankle and we are still waiting on a doctor's report, but we're not expecting him to play," Proudfoot explained.
Despite those potential injury worries, and their poor performances of late, Proudfoot remains confident that Province can rediscover their early-season form and break their current losing streak.
"We have got to be hard on each other and on ourselves about the mistakes and address them," Proudfoot said.
By Timmy Hancox
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