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Carizza hoping to make most of Currie Cup shot

FINAL FLING?: Manuel Carizza will play Super Rugby next year Photo: Gallo Images
FINAL FLING?: Manuel Carizza will play Super Rugby next year Photo: Gallo Images

WESTERN Province lock Manuel Carizza is seeking a happy ending in Saturday's Currie Cup final against the Golden Lions at Newlands.

The Argentinian has a two-year contract and will be back for Super Rugby next year, but with possible World Cup inclusion in the Pumas squad he might not feature in the Currie Cup again.

So Saturday looms as a rare chance to win the title.

"The Currie Cup is such an amazing tournament and it's been a beautiful experience, so hopefully I get a happy ending," Carizza said.

"I didn't play as much Super Rugby as I'd have liked through injury but when I was cut from the national team I took the chance to play Currie Cup. It's been great."

Scrumhalf Nic Groom, who has emerged as key to the up-tempo game Province have implemented during the Currie Cup, has seen it all before in the Currie Cup final, having played in the last two showpiece games. He has become the undisputed first-choice halfback at the union, attributing his good form to regular game time.

"The only way you really get confidence is by starting back-to-back games," Groom said. "Training isn't the same because you need to get used to the match situation so that things come more naturally. Through that confidence my decision-making has been better.

"Mentally the final is no different to another game. We'll try and stick to doing what we have done all season," Groom said.

"It would be stupid to try and change anything too drastically now."

Groom also dismissed suggestions that he and the team took risks in an effort to score more tries.

"I don't believe we take risks, rather we take opportunities," Groom said.

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