KZN edge sloppy WP
12 Jul 2011
GARETH DUNCAN watched KZN deliver a better second half display in a 23-21 win over WP in day two’s feature match at the U18 Craven Week.
FOR ALL CRAVEN WEEK DAY TWO RESULTS CLICK HERE
WP qualified for the Craven Week unofficial final in the past two seasons, winning one of them against Free State in 2009. However, this year’s class lacked the quality and physical presence of their predecessors as they we’re outclassed for most parts of the match.
Late tries against the run of play added respectability to the scoreline, and while KZN contributed to a scrappy first half, the boys from Durban were clearly the best drilled team after the break.
WP started off on a positive note as a strong rolling maul saw skipper Sikumbuzo Notshe drive over for an early try. But KZN hit back through influential flyhalf Robert du Preez, who broke the Province defence from close range. Wing Siyabonga Tom missed the resulting goal kick from right in front, which allowed WP to stay ahead.
Both teams displayed poor finishes to the first half because of numerous handling errors and lineout problems, and WP held on to their slender advantage.
KZN came out more composed in the second half and rallied into a 20-7 lead thanks to outside centre Tyler Fisher and hooker Jacques Taylor. WP created late drama at the death with two converted tries, but Tom’s six points with the boot was enough to seal the win.
WP 21 KZN 23
WP – Tries: Graig Corbett, Kyle Lombard, Sikumbuzo Notshe. Conversions: Handre Pollard (3).
KZN – Tries: Jacques Taylor, Robert du Preez, Tyler Fisher. Conversions: Siyabonga Tom. Penalties: Tom (2).
12 Comments
12 Jul 2011, 16:06 pm
0_0 Scary when you lose to a Natal U18 side.
12 Jul 2011, 16:12 pm
wp were abysmal….tackling poor and handling even worse….lineouts a total shambles as well
12 Jul 2011, 16:22 pm
@Hendrik Pienaar(hendrikp)-1: even more so when that side contains 15 year olds in it.
12 Jul 2011, 16:29 pm
@SuperStirrer(SuperStirrer)-3:
Doesnt matter how old they are when they are 6ft4 ish and weighing in at 90kgs odd.
Those 2 Du Preez brothers are going to be beasts.
12 Jul 2011, 16:34 pm
@John Galt(John Galt)-4: Are they that big already?
12 Jul 2011, 16:38 pm
@grant10(grant10)-2: I don’t want to say “I told you so”, but I mentioned on this site about Province’s lack of forward power. The locks are small in comparison with some of the other sides. I watched the the final 2 rounds of trials and can’t believe that there are no better locks available. Both hookers were in the W P under 16 side last year and are inexperienced. The best hooker at the trials got injured just before the team was selected. The basics at lineout time were lacking badly !!
12 Jul 2011, 20:40 pm
WP were extremely poorly drilled and handling skills are non existent, same with most our other teams, Natal were far better but still poor in comparison to NZ kids of same age and experience.
Murray Mexted is right, our skills training and poor handling is dire and shocking from a country who play 90% rugby at state run high schools.
I watched Namibia and Zimbabwe take out Leopards and Border CD and both these scant teams with a meager drop in the ocean of depth in numbers compared to SA districts and provinces showed far more proficient handling and basic rugby skills then our lot of lumbering behemoth oafs.
12 Jul 2011, 20:41 pm
Major concern for the quality of our senior rugby going forward when the cream of the youth crop supposed to be represented at Craven week can’t catch a ball or pass for toffee, skills development at youth level looks like it has practically stopped dead in its tracks.
12 Jul 2011, 22:07 pm
aaaah it’s all those fantastic Paul Roos players……
12 Jul 2011, 22:12 pm
ha! Yes the”state run schools”. What a state.
I still believe the problem is selections and coaches.
14 Jul 2011, 07:29 am
@rugby_only(rugby_only)-9: Too many players from Stellenbosch and not enough from Paarl.
14 Jul 2011, 07:38 am
It’s a Cape thing. Too clicky.
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