Determined TUT not done yet
The stakes involved in the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International have proven to be so high since its inception that there is consensus among its participants that weekly improvements in play are needed.
Numerous teams have improved during the duration of the tournament; even the so-called ‘also-rans’, FNB TUT and FNB NMMU. In the case of the former, however, improvements are masked by one overwhelming thing: a winless streak of five matches.
But TUT gave arguably their best showing of the 2009 Varsity Cup this past Monday, despite going down 14-24 to FNB Maties. Critics may point out that the visitors from Stellenbosch were a second-string XV, but TUT coach Jimmy Watt feels that to be unfair.
“Ten changes or not, Maties are a very strong club and their depth runs so deep that I don’t think they’ll easily have a weakened team,” the TUT mentor told varsitycup.co.za.
Watt described the improved performance as a “much better team effort” and felt that his team played quite well.
Yet, he remained realistic and acknowledged that a better showing could not paper over the cracks of a disappointing campaign thus far.
It would be natural to expect that the Men from Pretoria are pretty low on confidence at the moment and could even be harbouring thoughts of a winless tournament.
The coach was not perturbed by such thoughts, however.
“The beauty of this tournament,” he explained in a tone that would leave many brimming with anticipation, “is the promotion/relegation rule.
“The trouble with some tournaments is that there isn’t a (promotion/relegation) rule, which makes the participants complacent and allows them to settle for mediocrity.
“You then see teams happy to walk away winless from a campaign and that’s not good for a tournament,” he added.
Watt admitted that the promotion/relegation battle was not something far from the minds of the players but stated that it would be a mistake not to try and avoid such a situation. Indeed, a valid point considering that the Men from Pretoria are only a victory away from handing the Wooden Spoon back to NMMU.
“I think that (winning a game) will be our main focus for the rest of the season.
“We probably have a marginally better draw than Nelson Mandela University which gives us hope but you wouldn’t bet on anything in such a tight tournament,” Watt cautiously admitted.
The above notion brings a new dimension to the Varsity Cup race, where the rugby fraternity will not only keep a keen eye on the race for the play-offs – but also on the fight to be saved from the ‘drop’.
And it might just be the fight to avoid the cellar that could influence the 2009 play-offs.
Currently last on the log with a sole bonus point, TUT take on potential semifinalists FNB NWU Pukke (fourth) in a prime example of the symbiotic relationship between competition for the play-offs and avoiding the drop.
Kick-off at the TUT Stadium is at 6.45pm on Monday, March 9.
By Heinz Schenk
