WP attacking with more vigour

Cape Town - Western Province provided more evidence that they are succeeding in transforming their side into an attacking unit when they outscored the Blue Bulls by six tries to one in Saturday's second-round Currie Cup clash at Newlands.

WP coach Allister Coetzee said his team's ability to strike with turn-over possession was the key to their try-scoring prowess.

"The key to our back-to-back bonus-point wins has been the way we have learnt to switch from defence to attacking mode," Coetzee said after his side's 41-17 victory.

"In the past, we were not always prepared to exploit turn-over possession but we are attaining a balance between attack and defence."

Coetzee said the players were showing a greater understanding of their specific roles in the team and that made for greater all-round performances.

"There is a greater awareness of when to kick and when to run with the ball.

"We are no longer tentative when we suddenly get turn-over possession. Our pack is securing good front-foot ball and the new leadership is seeing to it that we don't stray from the way we set out to play. Our performances have been the result of excellent team work."

Despite the win, Coetzee was concerned about the yellow cards issued to Manuel Carizza and Kobus van Wyk.

"There is a tendency to be over anxious in defence because this team does not want to concede tries.

"At times our players were also guilty of over exuberance and that leads to penalties against us. Referees are not going to allow cynical things and our players will be hit hard financially when this happens. We have standards for the way we want to play and we frown on players being yellow-carded."

Coetzee said it was important for the team to build on Saturday's performance because of the challenges that lie ahead.

"We want to build on this performance because we are striving for consistency week in and week out. We must cut out the soft moments in the game when allow opponents through for a try because we did not retain our shape as a team."

Blue Bulls coach Frans Ludeke said his side's poor finishing was the main reason behind their second successive defeat.

"Our finishing was poor and we not patient when building pressure," said Ludeke.

"Our decision-making also let us down and when you're up against the best teams in the competition, you pay the price."

Ludeke said he would be taking an in-depth look at the way his side was leaking points.

"I need to look at the way we are conceding points to our opponents. Some of the points against us today actually came when we were putting the opposition under pressure.

"We also lost vital lineout ball when we were in potentially good attacking positions."