Grobler happy with Tuks' intensity
FNB Tuks’ 2010 pre-season preparations are in full swing, with the double Varsity Cup semifinalists already playing two warm-up matches at the LC de Villiers Stadium on Wednesday night.
Tuks had two teams in action on Wednesday – their First XV playing against the Russian national side and the second team facing up to FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International side, TUT.
Tuks head coach Freddie Grobler told varsitycup.co.za: “Both matches were worthwhile and I was very happy with the results – the first team beat Russia 20-6 and the seconds beat TUT 24-23.
“The scores obviously pleased me, a win over a Varsity Cup side is always a nice confidence-booster, but I was especially pleased with the performance and the intensity of the players – especially as this was our first match of the year.”
The Men from Pretoria will hit the road this week and play a ‘four-chukka’ practice game against the Shimlas in Bloemfontein on Friday, before travelling to George for a week-long rugby-intensive camp.
Whilst in George, Grobler’s charges will train with – and compete against – the SWD Eagles.
Grobler explained: “Camps are always great and the time away will allow us to work on a few things and bond as a team and build our team spirit even more.
“The key for me is getting the guys away from home, and out of their comfort zones, and it gives us a great opportunity to have the players at our disposal all week long.”
Having qualified for the semifinals of the Varsity Cup in 2008 and 2009 – only to lose to the Maties on both occasions – Grobler and co. are determined to break that losing streak come the 2010 season.
“We’ve been very blessed to be involved in two semifinals,” said the Tuks coach, “but, frankly, it’s not good enough and if we want to compete with the big guys we need to step up and take it a step further this season.”
Looking at the strength of his playing squad this season, Grobler has lost a “few players here and there”, but he is confident that the youngsters in his squad will come good in 2010.
“You will remember that we lost our captain, Johan de Bruin, to the Falcons after last year’s Varsity Cup,” said Grobler.
“One or two guys are too old, like (flank) Gert Lubbe, but I am very excited about some of the youngsters that came through the system in last season’s Carlton League,” he added.
“I blooded a lot of youngsters in the Carlton League and I think it’s a great opportunity for them to take the step up into the Varsity Cup. Of course, I also think they have the ability to do well and that would be a huge boost for our title aspirations.”
