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‘Pleased’ Coetzee looks to final

PUBLISHED: October 19, 2014


DHL Western Province coach Allister Coetzee was a pleased man on Saturday night, as his team beat the Vodacom Blue Bulls by 31-23 to win through to a third successive Absa Currie Cup Final.

DHL WP – who secured the right to hosting a home final with one week left in the regular season – scored three tries to two in Saturday’s semifinal as they deservedly progressed to a second home final in two years.

“It was a very pleasing result and we saw today why it is so important to start well,” Coetzee told www.wprugby.com.

“The team had to deal with another concern because the DHL Western Province Under-19 and Under-21 teams had earlier won their semifinal matches and we were looking to make it three in a row.

“It will be great to be back at DHL Newlands next week for three finals.”

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Looking back at Saturday’s physical encounter against the Bulls, as DHL WP converted their 25-10 half-time lead into a ninth win of the season, Coetzee continued: “It was always going to be a physical battle and we had to front up not only with defending their mauls, but also a solid maul performance.

“At the breakdown every collision and contact point was going to count and it did.

“The Bulls have improved a hell of a lot. It was a massive set-piece battle. They got front ball only from the line-out, we were closing their middle- and back-ball.

“I think the side has matured a hell of a lot, making good decisions, we never panicked when it was penalty after penalty. They kept their composure and a lot of credit must go to the captain and his leadership group.”

The Golden Lions won through to their first Absa Currie Cup Final since 2011, courtesy of an impressive 50-20 win over the Sharks in Johannesburg earlier in the day, and they will travel to Cape Town with plenty of confidence for the 2014 final against DHL WP.

“They are a very good side and they will ask completely different questions from what we faced today,” said Coetzee of his team’s final opponents.

“They have got a great set-piece, a strong scrum and they are a good mauling side. They can play direct and they can play with width. We were strong defensively, but next week I know it will be a different test. It will be wide, close and over the top.

“I think Saturday will be two similar mindsets, the Lions have a go when it comes to turnover possession so that is going to be interesting to see how it will pan out,” added the DHL WP boss, this time looking ahead to the 2014 finale.

“Time is so short to change a lot of things, but you have got to bring in something new. Just to change the way they defend and open other areas of the field.

“Our mindset is never to go away from the way we have played, but it is to wait for the right moment. One thing about our team is that we can go to 20 points very quickly which says a lot about our attack.”

The only fresh injury worry from Saturday is in-form No.8 Nizaam Carr, who limped off in the 18th minute with a hip injury, whilst inside centre Jaco Taute will hopefully come back into the selection equation after being out of action for two weeks with a rib injury.

Said Coetzee: “It is a hip pointer, Nizaam will have to go for a few scans to see if there is anything torn. I am hoping everything is okay for him to be part of the final.

“He has played throughout the season, so we are all holding thumbs for Nizaam to be available for the final. (Sikhumbuzo) Notshe replaced Nizaam on Saturday… he has grabbed the chance with both hands and I am really happy for him,” concluded the DHL WP coach, who has now guided his team to three successive Absa Currie Cup Finals and fourth in five years.