WP have designs on play-offs
2008-09-08 23:17
Cape Town - Western Province's designs on the 2008 Currie Cup play-offs are taking shape despite a pending suspension and injury to key players.
The inspirational and tireless workhorse Schalk Burger will know his fate on Tuesday when he's likely to be slapped with disciplinary measures after he was cited for a dangerous swinging-arm tackle on Cheetahs skipper Juan Smith in WP's thrilling 35-17 victory in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
It is possible that Burger will be banned for a week or two but given that WP are back at full strength his absence will not prove a setback for the team in the weeks ahead as the "Streeptruie" will be facing minnow sides (Falcons, Griquas and Boland) in their three next games.
Moreover, a break from the game could prove to be a double blessing for Burger. It will go a long way towards giving Burger a deserving break after his international stint with the Springboks as well as refresh him for the business end of the Currie Cup competition.
With Burger out of the picture it is likely that the exciting loose forward Nick Koster will get more game time to showcase his massive potential.
Shoulder injury
Another key player, centre Gcobani Bobo, who has shown rejuvenated form this season also seem set to take a break from the game because of a lingering shoulder injury. He was examined by a specialist on Monday afternoon and will be informed of the results on Tuesday.
However, the feeling in the WP camp is that Bobo's injury will sideline him in the weeks ahead and despite his stellar performances this season WP have adequate back-up in the midfield department.
Bobo's likely absence opens the way for an exciting option of playing Fijian international winger Sireli Naqelevuki at centre where he performed with distinction for his country in the Pacific Nations Cup just over six weeks ago.
Naqelevuki made a big impression on former Bok coach Jake White who was working as an IRB-appointed development officer with the Fijian national squad at the Pacific Nations Cup. White said at the time that he would recommend that the powerful runner would be better used at centre instead of wing.
Saturday's fixture against the Falcons will be an ideal chance to field Naqelevuki alongside WP skipper Jean de Villiers in midfield.
Percy Montgomery made his first appearance at a WP training session on Monday but it is not clear at this stage in which position he'll be running out at Newlands on Saturday.
Montgomery's accuracy at place-kicking will at least ensure that WP will exploit penalty opportunities in the opposition half.
Several players sat out at WP's training session on Monday but most of the players should be available this weekend.
WP did everything that was expected of them in Bloemfontein over the weekend and the next target is to pick up a maximum of five points from each of their next three fixtures to ensure that their slim play-off hopes stay alive.
The fifth-placed WP are nine points adrift of the fourth-placed Lions who seem set to retain that favourable position as they are up against Griquas and Boland in their next two outings. However, they play the Sharks and WP in their final two matches in the league stage of the Currie Cup and that's when WP hope they'll (the Lions) come a cropper.
- SAPA