Liebenberg ready for 'nice battle'

By Ashfak Mohamed

The Western Province pack's resurgence in this season's Currie Cup has been a welcome one, but they believe that they can still work even harder and become a dominating unit.

That was the strong message from robust WP hooker Tiaan Liebenberg this week ahead of Friday's Currie Cup clash against the Free State Cheetahs at Newlands. Liebenberg has been an integral part of the Province pack's powerful performances against the British and Irish Lions, Sharks and Blue Bulls in recent weeks. But he does not want the WP forwards to get premature praise.

"We did okay against the Sharks and Bulls. Lots of people did not give the tight five a chance. We did well, though," Liebenberg said. "But we haven't dominated yet, although we are working hard on that. It did go well, like the mauls and lineouts too, but it requires each guy coming to the field for the game with the right mindset. Then we can do what we have done.

"But the Bulls were missing Bakkies and Victor, Danie Rossouw, Pierre Spies and others, while the Sharks had their entire front row with the Boks. So, only when we have done well against their full-strength pack can we say are a dominating pack."

Liebenberg returned to Cape Town from France earlier this year where he was playing for Toulon. The Stormers had a hooker emergency when Schalk Brits and Deon Fourie were injured, and Liebenberg answered the call superbly.

He has been picked for a Springbok squad and played against a Barbarians XV in London at the end of 2007, while he also featured for the Emerging Springboks against the Lions.

But Liebenberg feels that he is behind his direct opponent on Friday, Adriaan Strauss, in the national pecking order, so he may have a point to prove against the Cheetahs in what is expected to be a tough battle in the scrums. Apart from Strauss, who faced the All Blacks, Australia and Argentina last year, the Cheetahs also have Bok extended squad member Wian du Preez in the front row.

"I know a lot of them and I believe that Adriaan is probably the number three hooker in the country currently (behind Bismarck du Plessis and Chiliboy Ralepelle)," said Liebenberg. "So I think it is going to be a nice battle. The Cheetahs always have a big pack. They did well against the Lions in the scrums last week. So it is going to be tough and very physical, and we must just stand up to that and be physical.

"WP Nel is coming through the ranks there and is doing very well. I believe Os du Randt is involved there and Dougie Heymans is also there, so it definitely will be a big challenge for us in the scrums."

Province have also been on top of their game in the lineouts and set pieces, where All Black lock Chris Jack has been outstanding. His work at the kickoffs has been especially good, where his dominance reminds one of Mark Andrews at his best. Of course, the hard-working Anton van Zyl has been tireless in the tight loose, while he has also won some good ball in the lineouts.

So that is an area where WP can take on the Cheetahs. Nico Breedt is not known for his lineout work, although lock partner David de Villiers had a good Super 14 and is a strong lineout jumper. WP coach Allister Coetzee said this week that his team won't underestimate the Cheetahs forwards.

"The Cheetahs are very similar to Western Province as they are one of the best competing sides in the lineouts," he said. "So it is going to be a keen battle there. We are very similar at set-piece time. They have a good pack and scrum well, while they are also very knowledgeable about the contesting policy at the breakdowns.

"We have done well in the set pieces in the two games so far. I am very happy with that. We did well against the Bulls and our lineout has always been a strong facet of our game. We've just got to keep building on that."

• This article was originally published on page 26 of The Cape Times on July 23, 2009