WP left with 'more questions than answers'
07/08/2024 03:33 AM
While praising the fight at the end, John Dobson lamented a poor first-half performance from DHL Western Province in Sunday's narrow loss to the Vodacom Bulls in Cape Town.
The Bulls opened their 2024 Currie Cup campaign with three tries in a 30-25 win against WP at a wet Cape Town Stadium.
Leading 13-5 at half time, the Bulls scored two tries in the second 40 minutes and Jaco van der Walt kicked 11 points as the men from Pretoria held off a late WP fightback in inclement conditions.
Province scored four tries and secured two bonus points but speaking to the media post-match, Dobson was frustrated with the opening 40 minutes from his charges.
"We showed some fight at the end after a poor first half. I expected a bit more despite the conditions, because the conditions were the same for both teams," the director of rugby told reporters.
"In the first half we didn't work hard enough, and tried to force a few offloads and passes. We showed some guts at the end, so I can't be too judgemental.
"We got two points, but I felt we got more questions than answers."
RECAP: Bulls wear down brave WP
Dobson, too, expects to lose skipper Willie Engelbrecht and lock Adre Smith to long-term injuries, and will cast the net further than the three semi-pros he named in the matchday 23 to face the Bulls.
"We've taken a different approach than the other unions. This competition is about giving our young players game time and development, and I wish it wasn't all about silverware," he said.
"Willie and Adre look like they could be out for a while, with a dislocation and hamstring respectively, so we'll be looking at more club players.
"[The likes of Keke Morabe, Ruhan Nel and Seabelo Senatla] will all be back for the Vodacom URC and hopefully play a game or two at the end of the Currie Cup. A guy like Blomme [Clayton Blommetjies] is possibly due back in a week or two, which we could do with.
"But with our Currie Cup squad I think we'll only get thinner now unfortunately. When Sazi [Sandi] came off I thought he'd done his knee and I don't know where the next tighthead is."
WP will refocus for a trip to Bloemfontein to face high-flying defending champions the Cheetahs on Saturday.
"It's going to be a much different game, and it'll be good for us – we'll be able to get the ball through our hands more and play a different style of rugby," Dobson said.
"I won't be betting my house and car and TV licence on us winning it but it'll be a good stepping up period for the guys who need the conditioning."
Photo: Cole Cruickshank/Gallo Images
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