Falcons warn Western Province

2008-07-15 22:01

Adnaan Mohamed

Cape Town - Falcons coach Rudy Joubert has directed a pertinent warning to the Western Province rugby team ahead of their Currie Cup match in Brakpan on Friday night.

The gap between the larger unions and the so-called smaller ones, Joubert said on Tuesday, was getting smaller and smaller. No team should be underestimated.

Western Province lost 20-21 against Griquas in Kimberley last weekend and now have another tough nut to crack.

"If your mindset is right and if you put your opponents under immense pressure, you always have a chance of winning, irrespective of whom you're playing against," Joubert said.

The defeat against Griquas may have been a wakeup call for the WP players. They would be motivated to rectify their errors this weekend, the Falcons coach said.

"Unfortunately, a defeat of that nature can sometimes have the opposite effect on a team. But they (WP) will be keen to make up for that loss."

The Sharks battled to beat a motivated Falcons team 28-10 in Durban last week. The visitors produced innovative rugby, especially in the tight phases. However, their efforts were undone by poor finishing.

Placed WP under a lot of pressure

Joubert has promised that they will pay much attention to this aspect of their game before taking on WP.

The Falcons have also learnt much from watching footage of last week's match in Kimberley and intend applying those lessons on Friday.

"We saw what Griquas achieved. Their defence was aggressive and they placed WP under a lot of pressure, thus limiting their space. WP began making mistakes and were unable to gain momentum," Joubert said.

"We had enough possession (in Durban). We just have to convert the opportunities that we create into points."

Rumours that WP lock forward Ross Skeate may be on his way to France were confirmed on Tuesday.

Skeate's name is among those of players who have been contracted by wealthy French club Toulon.

This is bad news to the Stormers and WP, who have also lost the services of lock Francois van der Merwe.

- Die Burger