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Stephen Nell
Cape Town – It was a classic case of the calm before the storm on Wednesday as Western Province had a light training session at their High Performance Centre in Bellville.
With a full 10 days left before the Currie Cup reaches its climax in Durban, it certainly would have served no purpose for the players to already start bashing their heads against the dressing room walls.
“Two weeks is a long time,” WP coach Allister Coetzee said of the period between the Currie Cup semifinal and final.
“We have to make sure that the players are in a relaxed environment. The session was still part of their recovery and was aimed at fun and enjoyment. There are still 10 days to go before it’s time to get psyched up.
“This week is about the physical recovery of the players and for the coaches to do analysis. We have to review the past weekend’s game and also work on a game plan for next week.
“The build-up has to be gradual. We want to seize the opportunity and enjoy it. It won’t be the right thing to be tense now. There was a buzz at our meeting this morning and the players are looking forward to the game.”
Schalk Burger, Bryan Habana and Duane Vermeulen did not train on Wednesday. However, they will all be available for the final.
“Bryan and Schalk have personal commitments that were planned long in advance. Duane has cauliflower ears and they are being drained. He will only be out for the day,” said Coetzee.
The coach is very satisfied with his team’s form before the final. WP were very clinical in their semifinal against the Free State Cheetahs and only conceded a try five minutes before the end.
“I did not make enough mention of how well we defended. It was excellent. It’s not just a matter of the players stopping the opponents’ momentum and keeping them out, but a focus to win the ball back and to use it. That will also be important against the Sharks.”
Province have a closed training session on Thursday before the players in the provisional Springbok training squad attend a two-day camp in Johannesburg from Friday.
WP do not view the camp as disruptive to their preparations.
“It’s going to be short sessions with the Boks. Our conditioning coach contacted the Boks’ conditioning coach and is happy with what the players will do,” said Coetzee.
Cape Town – It was a classic case of the calm before the storm on Wednesday as Western Province had a light training session at their High Performance Centre in Bellville.
With a full 10 days left before the Currie Cup reaches its climax in Durban, it certainly would have served no purpose for the players to already start bashing their heads against the dressing room walls.
“Two weeks is a long time,” WP coach Allister Coetzee said of the period between the Currie Cup semifinal and final.
“We have to make sure that the players are in a relaxed environment. The session was still part of their recovery and was aimed at fun and enjoyment. There are still 10 days to go before it’s time to get psyched up.
“This week is about the physical recovery of the players and for the coaches to do analysis. We have to review the past weekend’s game and also work on a game plan for next week.
“The build-up has to be gradual. We want to seize the opportunity and enjoy it. It won’t be the right thing to be tense now. There was a buzz at our meeting this morning and the players are looking forward to the game.”
Schalk Burger, Bryan Habana and Duane Vermeulen did not train on Wednesday. However, they will all be available for the final.
“Bryan and Schalk have personal commitments that were planned long in advance. Duane has cauliflower ears and they are being drained. He will only be out for the day,” said Coetzee.
The coach is very satisfied with his team’s form before the final. WP were very clinical in their semifinal against the Free State Cheetahs and only conceded a try five minutes before the end.
“I did not make enough mention of how well we defended. It was excellent. It’s not just a matter of the players stopping the opponents’ momentum and keeping them out, but a focus to win the ball back and to use it. That will also be important against the Sharks.”
Province have a closed training session on Thursday before the players in the provisional Springbok training squad attend a two-day camp in Johannesburg from Friday.
WP do not view the camp as disruptive to their preparations.
“It’s going to be short sessions with the Boks. Our conditioning coach contacted the Boks’ conditioning coach and is happy with what the players will do,” said Coetzee.
