All eyes on Bash
16 Oct 2009
The solitary Springbok in WP’s starting backline, Peter Grant, holds the key to an unlikely upset over the Bulls this Saturday.
Not renowned for his kicking exploits, Grant is in for the duel of his career when he lines up against Fourie du Preez and Morné Steyn. Territorial dominance is all-important, and the Bulls halfback pairing specialise in pinning the opposition in their own half.
WP backline coach Robbie Fleck feels Grant isn’t given due credit for his kicking contributions. Fleck said Grant will be able to match Du Preez and Steyn on Saturday.
‘Guys have been questioning Bash’s kicking ability since the start of the season, and he’s delivered week after week. It’s true that it’s not his real strength, and we’re hoping the game opens up where his attacking abilities will come to the fore.’
Province are relieved to be playing this game at Newlands and not at Loftus Versfeld, where the rarefied atmosphere allows the ball to travel further and saps the energy of visiting players in the latter stages.
It is because of this fact that Fleck believes Du Preez and Steyn’s impact should be reduced. WP are also aiming to pressurise the Bulls up front, and if they manage to dominate, the Bulls halfbacks will be further quelled.
‘Any flyhalf will feel the heat when his pack is retreating, and we’ll certainly look to apply that kind of pressure,’ said Fleck.
‘I remember Steyn did struggle earlier this year when the Boks were going backward. He has progressed a lot this season, while Fourie du Preez is the best scrumhalf in the world, but even they could be susceptible if they are playing on the back foot.
‘It’s good that this game is being played at Newlands, so Steyn won’t get the usual distance on those kicks.’
Everybody’s talking about the forward battle this Saturday, and while the Bulls are the favourites at the lineout, the hosts will feel confident at scrum time.
Both sides will look to play in their opponent’s half. Should WP realise their lofty ambition of forward and territorial dominance, they’ll still need to make their opportunities count. This is where Fleck sees Grant exercising his greatest strength.
‘Bash has been massive for us this season, he’s really taken on the senior role in the backs since Jean de Villiers left for Munster. He will have the experience of Frikkie Welsh to lean on, but Bash is calling the shots.
‘There are ways and means of breaking down that Bulls defence, their system certainly isn’t flawless. Our pack’s done very well this year, and if they can lay the platform then it’s a matter of executing and getting over that tryline. It’ll be hard work, but we’ve done it before and we’re capable of doing it again,’ said Fleck.
‘This backline has come a long way this season, but there’s no need to be content with only making it this far. We have to front up. If we fail, we can’t blame it on youth.’
The senior players had a meeting with the management on Monday and Fleck said he was pleasantly surprised with their attitude throughout that exchange. Grant, Luke Watson and the other seniors are confident ahead of this weekend’s semi-final, and like Fleck, they’re glad the media and rugby public view them as underdogs.
‘The pressure is all on the Bulls,’ said Fleck. ‘They’re the team laden with Springboks, they’re the team that has won a Super 14 title recently.
‘We’re playing at home where we’re unbeaten, so there are positives for us. There’s no pressure, only the pressure we place on ourselves to execute effectively.’
By Jon Cardinelli
171 Comments
Pages: « 1 2 3 [4] Show All
16 Oct 2009, 13:31 pm
#145 Slappes:
It was a cut and dried procedure.
16 Oct 2009, 13:33 pm
#146 WP Till I Die: aaah…winklespruit.
another kingdom unfortunately.
they have different rules down there but are accomodating about a sly pint or 12.
the northeaster does blow the smell of pollution their way for the majority of the year unfortunately.
bygones then.
but if province make the final, then we braai at the tank eh?
streeptruie round the fire, imagine!
16 Oct 2009, 13:34 pm
#146 WP Till I Die:
Shhhhhhhhuuuuu brew…musta been a way cool south coast experience breeeeeew. Didn’t you tap into the viba at Imbogentwini justa for der fun. Schhhhhhheeeeeeeet!!!
PS. Did you wear your slip-slops just to fit in brrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwww?
16 Oct 2009, 13:36 pm
#152 The Jinxta:
I did pop in at the Reef. I will never be the same again…
16 Oct 2009, 13:38 pm
#151 WP Till I Die: bad idea.
the south coast is a backward locale foreshore but it is full of chilled out dudes.
16 Oct 2009, 13:39 pm
#147 rangerman: hiyas boet ^5 , your nerves ok for 2morrow??
btw did you go diving recently in durbs??
16 Oct 2009, 13:43 pm
WPtid,
cut to the point, sharp as a knife I see.
16 Oct 2009, 13:45 pm
#156 Slappes:
Unfortunately the work performed didn’t quite cut the mustard.
16 Oct 2009, 13:48 pm
#156 Slappes:
And I have a tip for you, cut your coat according to the cloth you have.
16 Oct 2009, 13:56 pm
#153 sharks_lover: howdy boet.
nah, will hopefully dive next week but the sea is a mess at this time of year.
16 Oct 2009, 13:59 pm
toti and winkels are blue bull retirement villages with a few local low lifes thrown in.
don’t throw a line when the chads are dik – the retrenched spoories ous get violent – it’s their territory
16 Oct 2009, 13:59 pm
#157 rangerman: thought so thats why i asked , because of all the rain the water is pretty mercky , all the **** flowing into the ocean from the rivers too
16 Oct 2009, 14:00 pm
#160 charo:
Yes, I got that vibe when I was there. Man, was the booze cheap though!
16 Oct 2009, 14:00 pm
#158 charo:
hiyas charo , how ru doing mate?? ghana still treating you well ??
16 Oct 2009, 14:02 pm
#134 John1976: lol…i don’t know hey, last night sheriff was pretty concerned about the well-being of asha1, you know him being the only quota blogger there on the other site. I still have no idea how HQ allowed one of their finest slip through the cracks
16 Oct 2009, 14:11 pm
#161 sharks_lover:
good thanks.
great excitement here – ghana play brazil tonight in the final of the u20′s soccer.
huge big smiles everywhere.
16 Oct 2009, 14:11 pm
#160 WP Till I Die:
that is all that counts really…
16 Oct 2009, 14:17 pm
#162 Transformation: I doubt it that he is merely concerns about Ashley’s wellbeing. he has some personal interest in getting Ashley away from RT. This would clear the way for him to take up his favourite position as the wingman to the Senior Blogger and perhaps being the only quota blogger.
16 Oct 2009, 14:18 pm
#160 WP Till I Die:
yeah, like r10 a quart.
as opposed to r25 a pint of windhoek draft at fireman’s.
and you can drink the quart in the sun…takes effect faster lol
16 Oct 2009, 14:26 pm
2 great games for sure, would be nice to see WP get into a final, but cant see them beating the Bulls, on the plus-side they do have home adv and burger off the bench.
sharks/freestate should be close, but with bismarck and deysel back, again you gotta put your buck on the favourites.
16 Oct 2009, 16:50 pm
Peter will once again be awesome thank you very much… so he doesn’t drop kick as often as Morne but on everything else he beats him… or comes insanely close
Pages: « 1 2 3 [4] Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.