PUKKE ‘OPERATING LIKE A FERRARI’
VARSITY CUP SPOTLIGHT: Following a chastening defeat to FNB UP-Tuks in Round 7 of this year’s FNB Varsity Cup, FNB NWU Pukke reminded punters of their ability on Monday.
The boys from Potchefstroom headed to Bloemfontein and handed a FNB CUT Ixias a 60-7 hiding; a result which has their coach Jonathan Mokuena excited.
“While we’ve managed to get wins during this season there’s always been things we could improve on,” Mokuena told rugby365.com.
“Against CUT things worked out just right; our defence was good and things came together nicely on attack too. It will be important to build on that now.”
Mokuena’s team, 2016 champions and runners-up last year, could have been excused if their confidence was dented following their 0-28 home reverse against UP-Tuks – their almost certain semifinal opponents.
However, the 36-year-old refused to allow his charges to harp on that result.
“In the build up to the CUT match it was important for us not to focus on the Tuks loss, but rather what we could do better,” Mokuena said.
“In that regard, it was about doing the small processes right; from making the right calls at our lineouts. That was the challenge we set the players.”
All told, NWU Pukke find themselves in arguably the most fortunate position going into the final round of fixtures. Most importantly their semifinal place is confirmed, but they also know they’re going to finish in third as they can’t catch second-placed UP-Tuks and can’t be overtaken by the four teams below them still in the running for the final playoff place.
Nonetheless, Mokuena will be taking nothing for granted when they face Wits this coming Monday.
“Not at all, we can’t afford to think about anything other than building on our confidence by winning,” he answered when asked if potentially momentum-affecting changes might be in the offing at their Fanie du Toit sports ground.
“At the moment we’re operating like a Ferrari, and we want to stay running like a Ferrari.
“we’re completely focussed on Monday,” Mokuena insisted. “The semifinal, when it comes, will take care of itself – and so on.”
