Decision-making woes for Griquas
Griquas coach Pote Human was impressed with his players' effort level against Western Province at Newlands on Saturday, but lamented the decision-making which gifted the home team tries.
Speaking after Western Province had beaten Griquas 45-21 to end the Kimberley team's three-game winning run, Human conceded that his players had been over-ambitious at times in running the ball when kicking for position may have been the wiser option..
"There were opportunities to run, but not every time. If it's not on, you have to kick," said the coach.
"I really thought the two intercept tries sunk us. For the guys to come back from that was difficult."
He did not regard the clash in very similar jersey colours in the first half as having contributed to the interceptions. "No excuses," was his adamant comment.
"Western Province were physically better than us. They took us on physically and I must say they played very well on the day.
"They look a happy team, and we knew that after last week [Province's defeat to the Sharks], they would come back with everything. They showed it. They beat the Bulls as convincingly…there's a lot of talent here."
Human was happy that his team's effort all the way through to end of the game was good, but they would need to improve their physicality as well as their decision-making as to when to hold on to the ball and when to kick. Their defence, he felt, also needed to improve.
The only post-match injury concern for Griquas was Richard Lawson's injured shoulder, and he was happy that Leon Karemaker (knee injury) and Jannie Boshoff (family bereavement) would be back for next week's game against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
"They will make a huge difference; they're two special players."
Human believed Griquas had a tough time in the next few weeks if they were to get into the semifinals, with three games left and two of those away from Kimberley. The game against the Cheetahs was crucial for Griquas as they needed to win to keep their hope of going through to a semi-final alive.
"For us it's all or nothing. We don't want to be involved in a relegation game."
For the players next Saturday's match was also an opportunity to compete for places in next year's Cheetahs Super squad, to show Naka Drotské they deserved the opportunity to play at that level.
"We had a three good weeks when the guys really put their hands up, but this game was a step backwards. It's up to them to stand up and decide where they want to go in their careers.
"I know we can come back on Saturday. There's a lot to play for – for Griquas as a smaller union, it'll be awesome to play in a semi."
Asked about the emergence of Marnus Schoeman as a formidable player in this year's Currie Cup, Human commented: "He's a good player, perhaps a bit over-eager, but he's very talented and is a very good openside flank."
By Len Kaplan at Newlands
