Tuks coach eyes improvement
FNB Tukkies are the surprise frontrunners of the Varsity Cup thus far, but coach Freddie Grobler remains cautiously optimistic about his team’s fortunes.
In fact, despite his team gaining nine points from their first two games, Grobler was quick to point out that the bubbly shouldn’t be broken out yet.
“This may sound harsh but I don’t think we’re playing particularly great rugby at the moment,” the Tuks mentor told varsitycup.co.za.
“However, I am quite pleased with our results and what makes me excited is that we top the log without really having played to our full potential.”
Grobler said that he was impressed with the work ethic of the squad and, thereby, a definite willingness in the squad to improve weekly in the 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International.
“The Varsity Cup is enormous and the guys know that one can’t be competitive if there isn’t an attitude of hard work and good preparation,” he noted.
Some quarters of the rugby fraternity have argued that the attrition rate in this year’s tournament has been higher, a notion supported by Grobler.
“Teams are focusing on playing the percentages well. The stakes are higher and I think teams want to minimise mistakes and win at all costs.
“Another influence is also the reversion back to the ‘traditional’ laws instead of the Experimental Law Variations,” the coach agreed.
The club was dealt a blow last week after the organisers ruled that their home advantage against TUT and Maties would be revoked due to insufficient floodlighting for television broadcast.
Yet, the fact that the team has won their first two matches away from their LC de Villiers-stronghold has allayed these fears.
“Obviously it is not an ideal situation and will have a bit of an impact on morale, but it’s an ideal opportunity also for the guys to show some character. It might even help firing up the bellies for the rest of the campaign,” said Grobler.
Tuks’ next match is the mouth-watering derby with their neighbours TUT and Grobler believes it will be a true battle royale, saying: “Derbies are notoriously tough.
“TUT never hold back when they play us and we will need to have our wits about us if we want to keep our unbeaten record. I think the game will be a cracker,” he concluded.
By Heinz Schenk
