No pre-match predictions for UJ
Hugo van As, the University of Johannesburg head coach, refuses to make any predictions ahead of his team’s 2010 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International campaign.
“As true as it is that we are better off than in 2009, we have little doubt that the other institutions have also stepped up as far their planning, preparation and player recruitment go,” Van As told varsitycup.co.za.
“To answer your question then: we have realistic expectations for the 2010 competition, but will not set out any goals publicly The Varsity Cup is a fiercely contested competition with little or no room for failure,” he continued.
“Once you get left behind, it almost impossible to catch up. We will have to be at the top of our game week-after-week and also make full use of all our opportunities.
“And with opportunities I do not only refer to those that can produce points, but other variables like the weather and referees’ decisions.”
Looking back at UJ’s performances in the 2009 Varsity Cup, especially ahead of the 2010 event, Hugo said it was very much a learning school for him and his players.
“It was my first year as head coach and the systems and structures we introduced will only start taking effect this year,” he added.
“I am very satisfied with out conditioning and could not have asked for better on-field preparation than the warm-up matches against Shimlas and the Pumas.”
By Morris Gilbert
