Pukke: 'We need to concentrate harder'
FNB Pukke prop forward Jaco Koch, a senior member of the Rudy Joubert-coached side, believes his side nearly paid the price for not concentrating hard enough in their Varsity Cup clash against FNB NMMU on Monday evening.
Although Pukke knew they would be in for a tough time against the tough-tackling Nelson Mandela Metropole University team, Koch says the Men from Potchefstroom were guilty of taking their foot off the gas early on.
Despite winning 41-13 at the Fanie du Toit Sports Grounds on Monday evening, Pukke led just 15-13 at half-time and it was still anybody’s game at that stage according to Pukke’s powerhouse prop.
“We took it easy in the first half,” admitted Koch, who praised his team’s support from the 5000-strong crowd on the night, “and we nearly paid the price in the end!”
He added: “(But) some harsh words were spoken during the half-time break and we came out with all guns blazing and those three tries in the first 15 minutes sealed the game. Lolo’s (Waka) superb try three minutes from the whistle was the cherry on top for us.”
Meanwhile, Pukke team manager Mervyn Taylor said that the game against NMMU took its toll on some of his players, “but they should all be fighting fit for Monday’s crucial encounter with the Maties in Stellenbosch”.
Monday’s FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International clash against Stellenbosch – at the Danie Craven Stadium – kicks-off at 6.45pm and will be televised live on SuperSport.
By Piet de Jager
