Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Western Province coach Allister Coetzee has praised the character his team showed by coming back from 15-0 down to defeat Griquas in their Currie Cup clash in Kimberley.
Province scored seven tries in a their 41-35 victory.
"It is never easy coming to Kimberley so to come away with the bonus point is really a special achievement. We knew that we may concede points, but the team showed great character to keep playing hard and never gave in. Many of these guys have never even played in Kimberley before so it was a fantastic performance by our young side," Coetzee told the WP Rugby website.
The coach was also happy with the way his young charges stood up to the physical onslaught from the home side.
“You never come here and win with talent and skill alone; you also need to have some fight and this is exactly what we told the guys. The guys showed their mental toughness and physicality," said Coetzee.
The coach did, however, note that there are still a few areas they must improve on if they are to mount a serious challenge for the Currie Cup title.
“This was certainly not a complete performance. We made mistakes that allowed them back into the game. We conceded too many tries straight from scoring that kept them in the game. I think we also gave away a few soft penalties so we will definitely have to look at this in the week," said Coetzee.
WP take on the bottom-of-the log Leopards at Newlands on Saturday, in a game where they won't be happy with anything less than another bonus-point victory.
Province scored seven tries in a their 41-35 victory.
"It is never easy coming to Kimberley so to come away with the bonus point is really a special achievement. We knew that we may concede points, but the team showed great character to keep playing hard and never gave in. Many of these guys have never even played in Kimberley before so it was a fantastic performance by our young side," Coetzee told the WP Rugby website.
The coach was also happy with the way his young charges stood up to the physical onslaught from the home side.
“You never come here and win with talent and skill alone; you also need to have some fight and this is exactly what we told the guys. The guys showed their mental toughness and physicality," said Coetzee.
The coach did, however, note that there are still a few areas they must improve on if they are to mount a serious challenge for the Currie Cup title.
“This was certainly not a complete performance. We made mistakes that allowed them back into the game. We conceded too many tries straight from scoring that kept them in the game. I think we also gave away a few soft penalties so we will definitely have to look at this in the week," said Coetzee.
WP take on the bottom-of-the log Leopards at Newlands on Saturday, in a game where they won't be happy with anything less than another bonus-point victory.
