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WP come out with guns blazing
02/04/2008 19:43 - (SA)
Cape Town - Unbeaten Western Province will run out with all guns blazing at Loftus on Saturday.
That much was clear after the WP Vodacom Cup selectors on Wednesday named a few Stormers in their squad to play the Blue Bulls, who ruthlessly shot down the hitherto unbeaten Cheetahs last week, when they romped home with nine tries in their 68-24 rout.
Stormers squad members Pieter Myburgh, Deon Fourie and Conrad Hoffmann have all been released for Vodacom Cup duty as WP's selectors cashed in on the Stormers' Super 14 bye this weekend.
The Stormers' trio have all been named on the reserves bench and that will allow WP coach Jerome Paarwater to turn on the pressure with fresh legs and expertise in the second half at Loftus.
"It is important we win our away games and get the points," said Paarwater. "We have a couple of the Vodacom Stormers back in our side this week. They will start on the bench and it is great to have the option to bring them on in the second half to make a difference."
Struck a rich vein of form
Saturday's televised clash will mark a contest between the log-leaders in the North and South divisions, and it should be a pointer to the eventual destiny of this season's Cup championship.
WP, like the Bulls, have also struck a rich vein of form and they were equally ruthless against the Pumas in the scorching heat at Paarl last week.
"I was very pleased to come away with the five points from our game against the last weekend," said Paarwater.
"This weekend is an away game and we expect it to be a tough one. The danger with winning five in a row is that it may go to your head. That is why the most important thing now is just to keep the guys' feet firmly on the ground and to take it game by game.
"It is just human for players to think it is okay now to lose one because you have been winning all your games thus far."
Paarwater will be looking to his heavyweights like captain Hanyani Shimange, Francois van der Merwe and Rito Hlungwani to bring stability to his rampant youthful side.
"That is actually what you need - the more experienced guys to keep the youngsters in their place," said Paarwater.
"We have a nicely balanced team and the battle-hardened forwards know what it is about at this level."
The team: Wylie Human, Terry Jacobs, PJ Vermeulen, Morgan Newman, Zhahier Ryland, Isma-eel Dollie, Paul Delport, Pieter Louw, Justin Melck, Conraad Britz, Rito Hlungwani, Francois van der Merwe, WP Nel, Hanyani Shimange (captain) and Michael De Neully Rice.
Reserves: Deon Fourie, JC Kritzinger, George Earle, Pieter Myburgh, Conrad Hoffmann, Ricardo Croy and Dabeon Draghoender.
- SAPA
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