WP break Kimberley hoodoo
7 Aug 2010
GARETH DUNCAN reports on WP’s 50-3 thrashing of Griquas in Kimberley on Saturday.
The last time WP bagged an away victory against Griquas was in 2007 when they won 30-25. Since then, WP have had disappointing trips to Kimberley as they suffered two one-point defeats in 2008 (21-20) and 2009 (33-32).
This season, there was to be no upset as WP continued their five-match winning streak. Flyhalf Willem de Waal, who featured in his 100th Currie Cup match, played a key role in WP’s triumph as he kicked 18 points.
Province’s pack also had an impressive display as they out-muscled their Griquas counterparts, creating momentum through strong driving mauls and setting the backline up with quality ball.
A tired defensive effort in the second half contributed to Griquas’ defeat as it allowed WP to score five tries in the last quarter.
Province had a strong start to the match but they lost momentum when No 8 Duane Vermeulen was harshly yellow-carded for a high tackle in the 16th minute. Griquas created chances with their one-man advantage but failed to convert them while fullback Riaan Viljoen persisted with optimistic long-range drop goals when the counter attack was on.
De Waal starred in the first half as he converted four penalties to give WP a 12-3 lead at the break. Flyhalf Naas Olivier slotted one three-pointer for Griquas’ only points of the game. The hosts were also reduced to 14 men late in the first half as wing Bjorn Basson tackled De Waal in the air.
Outside centre Juan de Jongh scored the game’s first try after he dived in at the corner shortly after the restart. From then on, Griquas’ resistance crumbled and the flood gates opened as replacement hooker Deon Fourie, fullback Conrad Janjties, wing Gio Aplon, flanker Pieter Louw and replacement flyhalf Lionel Cronje all crossed the chalk to seal the bonus-point victory.
95 Comments
Pages: « 1 [2] Show All
7 Aug 2010, 18:36 pm
I see Bissy’s been on for less than 5 minutes and given away 2 penalties already.
7 Aug 2010, 18:37 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-10:
still p*ssed that sharks dumped ep all those years ago?
7 Aug 2010, 18:38 pm
@charo(charo)-52:
The didn’t dump them, they just signed their best players and pissed them off.
7 Aug 2010, 18:40 pm
@renoog(silent_shadow)-44:
We are talking about his record at currie cup level as that is all that is relevant at the moment. He hardly had any opportunities at super 14 level.
Sio I am waiting for your counter argument against his achievements at this level.
is all about at the moment
7 Aug 2010, 18:42 pm
@catleya(catleya)-48:
@David(David)-49:
WP have used Hoffman at 9 a season or two ago – he was very nippy.
But there was talk in the off-season that they wanted to convert him into a 10.
But right now, Province seem to be giving Jantjes 60 minutes a game and then use Hoffman there.
But Rickie could become – probably is – the third choice scrummie at WP right now.
7 Aug 2010, 18:46 pm
@I am a stormer(I am a stormer)-55:
Didn’they give him a run at 10 in the warmup games?
7 Aug 2010, 18:48 pm
@David(David)-45:
As you will well remember Hoffie was the regular(starting) scrummie during the 2007 Currie Cup as a teenager. From what I saw then he was exciting and controlling. He made things happen for others and himself and I saw tries by him amd others that stemmed from his quick reading of the game and playmaking abilities. He needs to touch the ball a lot and at scrummie he gets that opportunity.
A combination of an injury and the stupid machinations of the Rassie Coetzee combination shackles his potential to improve at his favoured position and thus restricts the team’s ability to deliver to their potential.
The potential potency of the WP backs screams out for his contribution as a scrum-half. Hougie can warm the cold bench.
7 Aug 2010, 18:49 pm
@I am a stormer(I am a stormer)-55: I realy reckon Province and the Boks are hanging onto RJ for too long now. See the Bulls have been able to rope in Dustin Jinka as a result. Another one with massive potential.
7 Aug 2010, 18:49 pm
@David(David)-53:
they actually paid money for the benefit of not having to play the odd game at boet erasmus.
don’t know where the money eventually ended up though.
things seem to be done differently in ec
7 Aug 2010, 18:53 pm
David, What do you think will come out of the hat tomorrow when P dV anounces his team? More of the same old same old, or maybe a surprise or two like Mvovo and Lambie roped in ? Must say I’d love that but can’t see it.
7 Aug 2010, 18:53 pm
@charo(charo)-59: Your team has done you proud today
7 Aug 2010, 18:54 pm
@David(David)-56:
Not sure – i think maybe in the Vodacom Cup – obviously an experiment that didn’t work.
I don’t think Hoffman is comfortable there.
7 Aug 2010, 18:55 pm
@charo(charo)-59:
R500,000. But as i said, they’d signed EPs best players by then.
7 Aug 2010, 18:56 pm
@I am a stormer(I am a stormer)-62:
I think it was when Cronje was suspended or injured.
7 Aug 2010, 18:57 pm
Super proud of WP Rugby! Finally a win in Kimberly! Leaving Griquas tryless cos that’s how we roll!
So Flo, how does it feel to be a part of a winning team? 
50-3 baby!
7 Aug 2010, 19:01 pm
i’m also a big EP supporter … i like what cancer’s dad did to EP .. old cheeky watson … he even told his son that he’s not good enough to make the EP side …. respect mr cheeky
7 Aug 2010, 19:02 pm
@JL1(JL1)-61:
cheers boet.
2 excellent games this afternoon
7 Aug 2010, 19:10 pm
Can’t we get something done to get rid of the two stooges that did the commentary in the Sharks/Lions game this afternoon. They will drive me away from my beloved sport if they hang around much longer. I almost switched to English Soccer this afternoon. Phew! It was touch and go.
8 Aug 2010, 03:52 am
Does anyone know how Nick Koster is going?
8 Aug 2010, 07:52 am
@garth(garth)-69:
He came on for Flo in the last 15 mins or so. Didn’t really do anything that stood out, but he’s still has to find his feet I suppose.
8 Aug 2010, 08:12 am
Conrad is older then Dewald but surely one must wonder how long it will be before he gets snapped up by another side – he can’t spend all his time warming the bench – he is far too talented for that and it would be unfair to turn him into another Ruan Pienaar!
8 Aug 2010, 08:24 am
watching the wp and sharks matches today i felt a lot better about our rugby.
Without doubt it is the 3 stooges and the same pld same old plod and fat boys club that are the problems…….
we have the talent and skills……we simply choose not to use it.
Can anyone truly say that Plod can play this high tempo game? Absolutely not…..
We must be bold today ….PDV , its your opportunity to make the watershed changes…..
You stand at the Rubicon today PDV……and i have a terrible feeling of foreboding that you may fail the litmus test.
8 Aug 2010, 08:31 am
Well done Province and Sharks. Both impressed me. Gaining more and more respect for Lambie too. I just hope he settles into one position soon. Juan dJ was superb and Aplon makes things happen, just what we need. I hope all three will start for the Boks come 21st.
8 Aug 2010, 08:33 am
@grant10(grant10)-72:
Grant, we all know that JS will start at loosehead with Gurthro being “rested” on the bench, don’t we?
@Sharks Import(Sharks Import)-71:
Ruans problem isn’t/wasn’t just that he was messed around, it was his mental response to it. Hoffman is happy to play anywhere and with there only being 15 run on places available in a Bok side, his versatilty would be a boon in the 22 man squad.
8 Aug 2010, 08:49 am
@David(David)-74: rgretfulli i concur…..
Beast and Guthro will be sacrificed to satisfy Plods apparent refusal to bow out gracefully. So much for him caring about the best interests of the Boks…..its a joke.
Burden Liebenberg….bissy…Gary Botha….chilliboy…..all so much better.
Plod proved 3 was a bridge too far.
So now its the chances of the SA Looseheads to suffer as the sacrificial lambs…..
Amother reason to puke on my Bok jersey.
8 Aug 2010, 08:52 am
@grant10(grant10)-75:
The bok jersey is greater than any player or coach
8 Aug 2010, 08:55 am
very proud of our WP yesterday… they are playing with patience and purpose and a lot of heart… great stuff…
but we still gotta play the bulls and sharks and that is going to be tell us just how good (or ordinary) we really are…
the sharks in particular are looking very impressive…
i wouldn’t write off De Waal too quickly… for such a supposedly limited flyhalf… HE is winning our games for us… not only does he keep our scoreboard ticking with his kicks… but for someone who supposedely distributes so badly our backs are getting plenty of ball and scoring tries out wide… but mostly… he is able to kick us out of defence and onto attack…something that peter grant is simply incapable of…
i also like Conrad Hoffman… he has lots of skills, superb handling and vision… and plays 9 and 10 equally well…
but i would still give cronje time to settle… he is still very young and is growing in confidence… he must just be careful with his intercepts… when they work… great… but his leaving the defensive line creates holes that the bulls and sharks will exploit… he must be careful…
what is cool about everyone having their preferences is the fact that our player depth is really quite good at the moment… meaning several players could play most positions and do equally well…
also good to see Buhle coming on… he’s a pretty damn fine physical speciman and looks like he has the skills too… good to have decent tighthead backup at last… and with CJ coming things looking good all round…
Juan and Gio are pretty special players… i love watching opponents line Gio up ‘casually’ only to see him slip their efforts… reckon they underestimate the solid muscle he carries and are surprised that he doesn’t fold like most small okes do…
good stuff guys…
but…
feet on the ground…
early days yet…
8 Aug 2010, 08:56 am
Morning everyone,
What time is the Bok squad being announced today?
I’ve already checked on Supersport.
Was under the impression, it was going to be after the Sharks match last night.
8 Aug 2010, 08:56 am
@grant10(grant10)-75: No one has ever mentioned Burden until after yesterday, are you okes for real?
Hand those caps out, why don’t you?
8 Aug 2010, 08:58 am
@CoachPete(CoachPete)-76:
And the teams best interests shoud always supersede players personal ambitions.
Sadly this is no longer the case.
The bok set up is same as a Closed Members only Club.
Merit has been sacrificed for ‘aura ‘ and mythical attributes that are extremely subjective at best.
And are being shown up as absolute rubbish as we move from inglorious defeat , game after game.
I , for 1 , now far more enjoy watching the passion and determination shown in the CC…..watching the Fat Boys Club drag the Jersey through the dirt is no longer worth my time…..
8 Aug 2010, 09:00 am
@JL1(JL1)-79: where did i say give him a cap?
8 Aug 2010, 09:02 am
@grant10(grant10)-80:
yes bad coaching decisions and poor play by some veterans yes
but I will still support the boks no matter what
Things will change
8 Aug 2010, 09:02 am
@grant10(grant10)-81: Well you are insinuating that he should play rather than Smit
8 Aug 2010, 09:03 am
the sooner we start listening to some experts the better.
Noakes has written to Hoskins ….see Rapport….
We choose to disregard these messages at our peril….
8 Aug 2010, 09:04 am
@grant10(grant10)-75: Nama1 reckons Ricky is called Plod this site
8 Aug 2010, 09:04 am
@JL1(JL1)-83:
Plod is a liability……currently i would have at least 4 hookers ahead of him…..5 if schalk brits was back home.
8 Aug 2010, 09:08 am
@grant10(grant10)-84: Explain to me why we need to write letters
This same coach said that he was leaving management of players with their respected unions, and that they will rest and condition the players
The more I am thinking about this the more it seems that he has not taken responsibility for anything
Time for him to move on as well
8 Aug 2010, 09:23 am
@grant10(grant10)-84:
What Noakes said a week or so ago was that several of the top Boks need rest. But we all know that.
He suggested 8 weeks away from the game but including a 4 week conditioning programme. That will stand them in stead to go onto the WC next year.
The 3 week break the Boks are enjoying right now might prove beneficial in this year’s 3N – they’ll have renewed energy.
But if they don’t have that 8 weeks off now – seeing we’ve already lost the 3N – things will be a whole lot worse going into the WC next year.
Basically they’re just overplayed.
That’s why I want to see how many youngsters are included in today’s squad when it is released.
But I’m not holding my breath.
8 Aug 2010, 09:40 am
Why is this racial stuff still so prevalent in SA? Seems to me that SASCO need to collectively ‘get a life’.
Students who gathered for Saturday’s intervarsity rugby match between the North-West University and the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein were greeted by an armoured Casspir and police members.
Racial tension was running high at the University of the Free State over the weekend.
Police were called in after the university on Friday was granted a court order in the Bloemfontein High Court to prevent Sasco, an ANC-affiliated student organisation, from damaging property, assaulting or intimidating people.
Security guards maintained a strong presence at the rugby matches on Saturday and were supported by police.
Netball and hockey matches had to be cancelled on Friday after Sasco supporters ran onto the fields. They swore at players and threatened them.
Netball players said they had been frightened and feared that violence would break out.
Sasco said on Friday it was boycotting the intervarsity as the North-West University was “racist” and wasn’t transforming.
But Rudi Buys, student dean at the University of the Free State said Sasco’s actions had more to do with a coming student body election.
University of the Free State rector Professor Jonathan Jansen suspended the student representative council and student parliament on Friday night and banned all party politics for the time being.
8 Aug 2010, 09:40 am
@grant10(grant10)-86: That means Liebenburg must be very far down the list, considering what Barney did to him in the S14…
8 Aug 2010, 09:47 am
@Jim Bobby the Lumberjack(Jim Bobby the Lumberjack)-89: I remember many years ago at an alma mater that shall remain unnamed…
After days of pointless toy-toying and damage to property, certain “protesters” received their comeuppance by being comically “knocked-out” by marbles, shot from hunting “cattys” by naughty students, sick of their shy.te, from rooms on the top-floor of a residence.
Fark, that was the funniest thing…
8 Aug 2010, 12:59 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-54: We’re comparing them as players and de Waal has been given countless opportunities at S14 and failed for a reason.
I don’t see what counter-argument there is for me to make as your attempt at an argument was just a wish-washy statement stating that de Waal has played in successful teams, nothing about the player himself.
@ufo(ufo)-77: De Waal does distribute badly, yes he passes the ball but the quality is poor as anything. Put a proper 10 there with crisp, fast passing, someone actually reads the situation and passes in front of the player and our backline would start looking a lot faster and potent. You can tell passing the ball is unnatural for de Waal, his passes are slow and wayward, no timing of the pass or reading of the situation like a proper 10.
8 Aug 2010, 21:38 pm
@renoog(silent_shadow)-92:
De Waal is definitly playing a better style of rugby than when he joined WP a couple of seasons ago. I am still not convinced. I believe he is ultimately suited to play his rugby in Pretoria where distribution requirements for a flyhalve is virtually zero, since the only inside centre they had, since I started watching them play around the mid 1970′s, that could actually run with the ball was Etienne Botha.
But, De Waal has definitely shown great improvement.
9 Aug 2010, 07:52 am
@Suidkapenaar(Suidkapenaar)-93: Don’t forget about Naas’ sidestep… every time a play came his way with the ball in hand.
9 Aug 2010, 08:08 am
@renoog(silent_shadow)-92:
well, for someone who distributes so badly… our backs are playing good rugby and scoring tries…
hard to do if the flyhalf is such a bad distributor…
the results speak for themselves… look at our points difference…
i never said de waal is a scintilating flyhalf who would give quade cooper a run for his money… but he doesn’t need to be… it (the system) is working and he (de waal) is a pretty smooth cog in the system at the moment… wiser people than me will tell you “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it…”
i’ve said on many occassions that i’d like to see cronje get more and more time as he grows into the role and eventually starts with de waal as back up…
but the fact is de waal is a key cog in the WP machinery… i think it would not be wise to throw him out…
Pages: « 1 [2] Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.