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Deon Fourie at flank for WP?

Cape Town - Western Province coach Allister Coetzee says he is considering picking hooker Deon Fourie at flank for their clash against the Free State Cheetahs at Newlands on Saturday.

Coetzee is unhappy with the amount of possession his charges gave away in their 28-20 defeat to the Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld over the weekend.

"We will have to be much more accurate if we want to beat Free State on Saturday. We gave away possession far too frequently," Coetzee told Die Burger newspaper.

Against the Bulls, Province lost possession of the ball on 23 occasions, and stole balls from their rivals only 10 times.

"We have developed a wonderful attacking mindset and get excited once we have the ball, but if you concede possession so often, you make it very hard on yourself," said Coetzee.

Apart from losing the ball on the ground numerous times, most of the penalties they conceded were also due to transgressions in the tight loose. Therefore, the coach is pondering the though of trying out his explosive hooker, Fourie, as a flank.

"Deon naturally plays towards the ball and it's an exciting idea to let him play at flank.

"However, it is a critical part in the season, and even though he could prove to be valuable (at flank), he probably won't be able to fulfil the necessary requirements for the full 80 minutes.

"But we have to do what is needed to ensure our possession is better protected," said Coetzee.

Fourie - who went to Pietersburg High School and played Craven Week for the Limpopo Blue Bulls in 2004 - played flank at school until his Grade 11 year.

So don't be surprised to see Fourie strut his stuff at the side of the scrum at some time during Saturday's clash.

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