CC exclusive: Relaxed vibe for WP

Ahead of this Saturday's Currie Cup Final in Durban, Planet Rugby sat down for a chat with Western Province backs coach Robbie Fleck.

Ahead of Saturday's Currie Cup Final in Durban, Planet Rugby sat down with Western Province backs coach Robbie Fleck to get the low down.

It's been nearly ten years since Western Province won a Currie Cup title and the weight of expectation in Cape Town is growing by the day. But Fleck says his side have no time to think about the past as they prepare to face the stand-out team of this year's tournament at the Shark Tank.

Planet Rugby: Howzit Rob, thanks for joining us. How have preparations for the big day been going?

Robbie Fleck: Good thanks. There's a relaxed vibe and the guys have got a spring in their step. There's more than a bit of excitement in the air!

PR: We'll cut to the chase. Where are Western Province going to win it on Saturday?

RF: It's a tough one. It's obviously a combination of things and you know the old cliché of 'finals are won up front'. Currie Cup finals through the decades have been similar in that the team that gets that physical and psychological advantage up front is the one that comes up tops.

Considering how both teams want to play the game, I think it's the 'X-factor' that's going to decided it. By that I mean it's going to be one of those key individuals that creates something special because I believe it'll be pretty even up front. The likes of a (Ryan) Kankowski, (Patrick) Lambie, Gio Aplon, Juan de Jongh or a Bryan Habana could really turn it around for one of the sides.

PR: A lot has been said about this two-week break between the semis and Final. Would you have preferred to play last weekend?

RF: I think last week we all wanted to play immediately and I think the Sharks felt the same way because both sides had such good momentum. But reflecting on last week and what it enabled us to do it terms of preparation, it's been great for our side.

We gave the guys a couple of days off and management had time to put one or two ideas together which we could present to the team last week. So they've had time to absorb it and prepare well.

PR: How disruptive was it to lose a bunch of the squad to the Springbok training camp?

RF: It wasn't at all. We knew it was going to happen and planned accordingly. By all accounts they took it fairly easily up there so our guys were pretty fresh when they arrived back.

PR: Some guys in Pretoria paid us to ask you this next one. Aren't you glad you're playing the Sharks and not the Bulls?

RF: (Laughs) It's true, the Bulls have been our nemesis – they've had one up on us over the past couple of years. Look, considering the demolition job the Sharks did on the Bulls in the semi-final you'd be quite nervous meeting them.

PR: That Sharks pack really hammered the Bulls which no one expected. Is that a concern for you?

RF: They got stuck in! There's no doubt the Sharks really bullied that Bulls pack. It's the first time in a long time that I've seen the Bulls stand back. So credit to the Sharks – our boys know a challenge awaits them.

PR: You're going to tell us that the win over the Sharks a few weeks ago will count for nothing on Saturday, but surely it's given the players a massive psychological boost….

RF: It has. Whether the Sharks rocked up on the day or not is irrelevant – it just proves that when our guys turn it on they can battle with the best, especially up front. I think it counts for more than the earlier Currie Cup game in Durban when we didn't have a our strongest side. The Sharks got a psychological edge on us when they beat us in the Super 14 but we turned it around at Newlands.

PR: As you mentioned before, there are a couple of Sharks players in great form at the moment, have you paid special attention to the likes of Pat Lambie, Keegan Daniel or Lwazi Mvovo in your preparations?

RF: Not really – this is the fourth game this season that we've prepared to face them with the same personnel so that work has been done. At this stage of the season you really just have focus on your own game.

Having said that, Lambie is a special kid and we definitely have to watch him. A lot of things happen around him, Kankowski and Daniel so we have to keep an eye on them.

PR: Province haven't won a title since 2001. That's a long time for such a big union to go without silverware. You came close in the Super 14 Final and now you've got another shot at a trophy. What has sparked the turnaround in fortunes?

RF: There are a number or reasons Western Province went through such a slump and lot has to do with the fact that a lot of top players left around 2001. A number of changes have happened behind the scenes and I think that this team is a new side that has taken on new challenges.

History is history. We've spoke about how we can't reflect on the past. Ten years with an empty trophy cabinet? That's not our monkey on our back. We've got to look forward. There's no added pressure in terms of having to win a trophy…it's just about capping off a successful season.

PR: Thanks for your time, Rob.

RF: Cheers.
Robbie Fleck was talking to Ross Hastie and Dave Morris