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Cape Town - Western Province coach Allister Coetzee has taken pro-active steps to ensure that there aren’t any more misunderstandings between his team and referee Craig Joubert in Saturday’s Currie Cup final in the Shark Tank.
GALLERY: The last decade of the Currie Cup
VIDEO: Sharks predict WP victory
Joubert penalised the Stormers heavily in the Super 14 final against the Bulls in Soweto and Sharks coach John Plumtree apparently stirred the pot this week by questioning WP’s technique at the breakdowns.
However, Plumtree was too late if he hoped that this would have any effect on Joubert.
“I met with Craig early in the week and we had positive talks,” said Coetzee.
“We have worked through what happened in the past. I still believe Craig is very competent and one of the best referees in South Africa. I’m happy that Craig is handling the final and we understand what he’s looking for at the breakdowns.
“Craig is very strict at the breakdowns and we learned some lessons in the Super 14 final. He was a touch judge in our semifinal against Free State and I asked whether there was something we had to change or anything that concerned him. He was open and straight about it, and said that we are making very good decisions at the breakdown and should keep it up.”
Coetzee announced an unchanged side on Wednesday from the one that beat Free State 31-7 in their semi-final. There is, however, come concern over the fitness of reserve scrumhalf Dewaldt Duvenage.
“Dewies has a back strain and we’ll give him as much time as possible – until Friday or possibly even Saturday morning. We also have Conrad Hoffmann with us and it won’t be a problem for him to slot in if necessary.”
The possible inclusion of Hoffmann will be ironic given that he will soon report for duty at the Sharks after signing for them.
Inside centre Jean de Villiers also did not train on Wednesday, but Coetzee said that he would definitely be fit to start.”
No rain is predicted for Durban on Saturday, but Coetzee still expects a slippery ball.
“Even if it does not rain the humidity will still make the ball difficult to handle. We’re aware of that and it’s not the first time we are going to play there,” said Coetzee.
“We have been working on ball retention for the entire season and it will be important in this match.
“You can’t afford to kick aimlessly because the Sharks are not a team that kick the ball back. They rather run it back at you and then you don’t get to see the ball for a few minutes again.
“The Sharks kept running at the Blue Bulls in their semi-final. In the end the Bulls had to make twice as many tackles. You preserve a lot of energy by keeping the ball. It tires a team to defend so much and in the end the fatigue impacts on their attacking play. We have to keep possession.”
Coetzee and captain Schalk Burger both appeared relaxed on Wednesday and the main indicator of it being final week came in the form of the number of spectators and WP rugby bosses that attended the training session.
Cape Town - Western Province coach Allister Coetzee has taken pro-active steps to ensure that there aren’t any more misunderstandings between his team and referee Craig Joubert in Saturday’s Currie Cup final in the Shark Tank.
GALLERY: The last decade of the Currie Cup
VIDEO: Sharks predict WP victory
Joubert penalised the Stormers heavily in the Super 14 final against the Bulls in Soweto and Sharks coach John Plumtree apparently stirred the pot this week by questioning WP’s technique at the breakdowns.
However, Plumtree was too late if he hoped that this would have any effect on Joubert.
“I met with Craig early in the week and we had positive talks,” said Coetzee.
“We have worked through what happened in the past. I still believe Craig is very competent and one of the best referees in South Africa. I’m happy that Craig is handling the final and we understand what he’s looking for at the breakdowns.
“Craig is very strict at the breakdowns and we learned some lessons in the Super 14 final. He was a touch judge in our semifinal against Free State and I asked whether there was something we had to change or anything that concerned him. He was open and straight about it, and said that we are making very good decisions at the breakdown and should keep it up.”
Coetzee announced an unchanged side on Wednesday from the one that beat Free State 31-7 in their semi-final. There is, however, come concern over the fitness of reserve scrumhalf Dewaldt Duvenage.
“Dewies has a back strain and we’ll give him as much time as possible – until Friday or possibly even Saturday morning. We also have Conrad Hoffmann with us and it won’t be a problem for him to slot in if necessary.”
The possible inclusion of Hoffmann will be ironic given that he will soon report for duty at the Sharks after signing for them.
Inside centre Jean de Villiers also did not train on Wednesday, but Coetzee said that he would definitely be fit to start.”
No rain is predicted for Durban on Saturday, but Coetzee still expects a slippery ball.
“Even if it does not rain the humidity will still make the ball difficult to handle. We’re aware of that and it’s not the first time we are going to play there,” said Coetzee.
“We have been working on ball retention for the entire season and it will be important in this match.
“You can’t afford to kick aimlessly because the Sharks are not a team that kick the ball back. They rather run it back at you and then you don’t get to see the ball for a few minutes again.
“The Sharks kept running at the Blue Bulls in their semi-final. In the end the Bulls had to make twice as many tackles. You preserve a lot of energy by keeping the ball. It tires a team to defend so much and in the end the fatigue impacts on their attacking play. We have to keep possession.”
Coetzee and captain Schalk Burger both appeared relaxed on Wednesday and the main indicator of it being final week came in the form of the number of spectators and WP rugby bosses that attended the training session.
