Assistant coach Nazeem Adams says Western Province won’t use the same blueprint in their quest for the Currie Cup title as the Stormers for the United Rugby Championship.
The 2022 Currie Cup season kicks off this coming weekend with WP facing the Lions in Cape Town on Saturday and, according to Adams, the team’s three primary goals are improving their record title wins, junior player development and giving much-needed game time to senior players before the resumption of the URC.
“Everybody wants to win the title,” the WP backline coach said during a virtual news conference. “Province has a fantastic record in the Currie Cup and we are proud union. Winning will be on top of our list.
“We are also looking at developing players, but with the Currie Cup and URC running at the same time – we want to give some game time to the senior players.”
Adams also revealed that while there is a plan to align the two Cape teams’ playing style across the URC and Currie Cup, which will run concurrently, but WP won’t completely copy the Stormers’ gameplan because the nature of the two competitions are different.
“I can tell you straight away that it [the gameplans of the Stormers and WP] won’t be 100% the same. There’s a certain framework that we all operate in, but within it there’s much room to try out certain other things,” he explained.
“Some things will be similar, other aspects won’t necessarily. We have to keep in mind the Currie Cup is a different competition and the team needs to try out different stuff.
“I think we need to find the balance between the expansive and conservative kicking style of play. But, obviously, we want to go back to the traditional Province rugby.”
Flyhalf Tim Swiel, who is expected to represent both teams across the two tournaments throughout the season, echoed his coach’s sentiments regarding the team’s approach.
The last week of training has been revealing, he said. “The environment has been serious, but at the same time the guys have pitched up and have been allowed some freedom during the sessions.
“When you’re training for the URC, it’s very intense and defensively orientated at times, so it’s been nice to rock up for Currie Cup training and experience the almost old-fashioned environment of practising for an attacking style of play.
“The coaches are really pushing the Western Province brand, pushing ball in play and things like running with the ball in our own half. I’m really excited for that.
“I don’t see this as playing either URC or Currie Cup. It’s an opportunity for all of us to just experience the ‘swagger’ or freedom back for the new year.”
