Dobson has another coaching rethink
REACTION: John Dobson admitted that navigating between the Stormers’ United Rugby Championship and the Western Province’s Currie Cup campaigns was ‘not ideal’ for the franchise.
Western Province headed into the Currie Cup Round 14 fixture against the Sharks at the weekend knowing their semifinal hopes were dashed – after the Bulls bagged two bonus points against the Cheetahs in the earlier match.
But despite their season, all wrapped up, Dobson’s men still delivered one their best performances – beating the Sharks 44-5 at Cape Town Stadium.
The Capetonians dominated from the start and outscored the Sharks six tries to one.
“They [the players] knew there wasn’t much on the line and to produce a performance like that was enormously special,” Dobson said.
“In this Currie Cup campaign, we had some really good performances with a couple of defeats.
“The two [wins] against Bulls and this performance [against the Sharks] are special.
“We said at the start we wanted to scrape into the semifinals, knowing what our other demands were [with the Stormers].
“You know, we played five big European knockout games – the three URC ones, the two in the Champions Cup.
“I don’t think anyone else did. The Sharks did three, the Bulls two.
“It probably took a toll on our Currie Cup campaign, yet we were just one point off in the end.
“We were not going to make it, but to finish on this note was absolutely superb.
“I can’t be more proud of where we are as a group and of [Neethling Fouche] the captain and the team.”
#REACTION: The outspoken Jimmy Stonehouse has made a very candid request to SARU!
🗣️ “Everything goes to the teams [franchises] they play in the European competitions.”https://t.co/67PeASJd0T— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) June 11, 2023
Hybrid coaching structure
Dobson also changed up the coaching structures – opting to take charge of the Stormers and WP teams this season.
The URC certainly took preference over the domestic title and with good reason – given the Stormers managed to reach and host the Final for the second consecutive year.
While there were loads of overlaps, making the job really challenging for Dobson, the coach had no regrets.
He revealed that the Cape Town franchise will try to readjust their coaching approach next season in the hopes of reaching the Currie Cup play-offs.
“We definitely did the right thing in terms of coaching the whole group,” Dobson said.
“However it was not ideal for the Currie Cup group, especially when we reached the URC knockouts.
“The whole country was talking about the URC final in Cape Town, but on Friday the WP was playing Lions at the Athlone Stadium.
“So, I felt the matchday absence was not ideal.
“The process was excellent.
“Rito Hlungwani working with the line-out guys, Brok [Harris] working the scrums, it certainly helped build our depth.
“I do feel like they were sometimes ‘off’ on matchday.”
He admitted there was a perception that the coach was not always ‘present’ at the games.
He said he would not throw the baby out with the bathwater, but there would be some changes.
“Maybe we could have a hybrid model for next year,” Dobson added.
“Someone who is in charge of the campaign – who is the main coach every day – but still have [Hlungwani] doing the forwards and Norman Laker doing the defence of the whole squad.
“That is where we want to go.”
WP finished the Currie Cup season in fifth place.
