Tired but pretty chuffed

It’s a tired, but proud and happy Robbie Fleck writing for rugby365.com this week; talking Cape Town Tens, Varsity Cup and the 2009 Super 14!

Phew, what a weekend at the Cape Town Tens… and what a weekend ahead of us, with the 2009 Super 14 just days away now…

I have to start this column by thanking each and every person that was at Hamilton’s this past weekend for the Cape Town Tens. To the supporters, the players, the ball boys, the physios, the media – everyone, a big thank you for making the event into what it was – a success.

There were a few last-minute nerves in the lead-up to the event as we weren’t sure if the people of Cape Town would buy into the tournament. But those fears were very quickly dispelled on Thursday night already at the Noordhoek Vikings’ capping ceremony and then at Friday night’s welcome party at Hamilton’s. Each and every team showed up at the opening party and the Cape Town Tens just snow-balled from there!

The vibe throughout the weekend was phenomenal and I cannot thank everyone enough. Part of our campaign – and promise – in the lead-up to the event was that Cape Town would show all the visitors a good time and the people and the city of Cape Town rose to the challenge in only the way Cape Town could!

We’re already hard at work looking at what went right and what did not work. We got great feedback and a few complaints – most notably one from a resident due to noise on Sunday night – but we will work flat out during the next few months to make the 2010 Cape Town Tens bigger and better than the inaugural event from the past weekend.

Given my involvement with the Cape Town Tens, I was unfortunately unable to travel to Pretoria for Monday night’s Varsity Cup between UCT and TUT, but I was a very happy man watching our 39-21 victory on TV.

Dobbo and I were obviously in contact and even though we managed a five-tries-to-two win, we still have a errors creeping into our game that we need to iron out. Most of these errors are coming from individuals, so they will be easy to eradicate from our game, but I honestly believe we’re on track for another successful Varsity Cup campaign.

We always thought it would take us three games to get into our groove this year and, now, ahead of our third game of the season – against a physical and well-coached UJ team this coming Monday – I am quietly confident that this Ikeys side will once again take this competition by storm.

One player that has certainly taken the 2009 Varsity Cup by storm is young Tiger Bax, who joined us at the start of this season from Stellenbosch. I have always rated him and I was very excited when he joined us this year and I’m very chuffed to be coaching the next big thing in South African backline play.

He can kick with boot feet, pass to both sides with ease, he has vision and he loves taking the ball up to the advantage line. In many ways Tiger reminds me of Stephen Larkham, only a more energetic version.

But Tiger is also still young (he turns 21 in April), and you can see that in his play, as his first instinct is always to attack – does it remind you of someone else that once played for UCT?!

Tiger will mature, of that I have no doubt, but he needs to be looked after and he needs to decide on a position that he would like to specialise in, especially after having trained with the Stormers at the start of 2009, impressing the coaching staff in the process.

Speaking of the Stormers, it’s Super 14 time this weekend – can you believe it?!

It mind sound like a cliché, but time does fly… Anyhow, that also means it’s prediction time – more of that below! – but it also means a return to Newlands for Saturday’s Stormers-Sharks clash; talk about a baptism of fire for an opening game!

There has been plenty of talk this week from both camps, but I will deal with my actual game thoughts in my predictions.

Overall though, I think the Stormers and the Sharks are South Africa’s best title hopes, whilst in Australia I am sensing a revival from the former pioneers of Super 12/14 rugby, the Brumbies.

New Zealand, oddly, have been very quiet in the lead-up to the Super 14. They have lost a lot of players to the overseas market – Dan Carter, Nick Evans, Ice Nacewa; to name just a few – but their silence is also very ominous ahead of the tournament.

Often, when they’re quiet they just come out and smash everyone… Many in NZ are pinning their title hopes on the Blues and the Hurricanes, but there seems to be a question mark over the Crusaders without Dan Carter and Robbie Deans.

Only time will tell whether they can cope without those two legends, but my money on a top four finish in 2009 is on the Sharks, the Stormers, the Brumbies and one of the Blues or the Hurricanes. An eventual winner is hard to gauge as home-ground advantage will make a huge difference come the semifinals and final.

Alright then, so without further ado, here are my predictions for Week One of the 2009 Super 14:

HIGHLANDERS v BRUMBIES:
Friday, February 13 – 8.35am

As I said above, the Brumbies should make a return to form in 2009 after a lean few seasons under Laurie Fisher. Andy Friend is a good coach with plenty of experience from abroad and they have class in George Smith and Stirling Mortlock, both of whom are fit and ready to play. The Highlanders, meanwhile, are not the force they once were and lack crucial depth.

Fleckie’s prediction: I am going with the Brumbies here to win away from home.

WESTERN FORCE v BLUES:
Friday, February 13 – 12.45pm

This should be an interesting game… The Blues, potentially, are always a good side and under the coaching of Pat Lam, whereas there is a lot of talk of a player revolt in Perth under John Mitchell. If the Force lose their first three or four games, Mitchell could be an early coaching casualty.

Fleckie’s prediction: I am backing the Blues to pinch this away from home.

LIONS v CHEETAHS:
Friday, February 13 – 7.10pm

The Lions have impressed in pre-season, especially with their big win over the Bulls. Of course, the proof will be in the pudding here, but this Lions side has been together for a good three years now and they seem to think this will be their year. I am going to believe them, they will be competitive in 2009.

Fleckie’s prediction: Last year I went with the Cheetahs to win at home and the Lions nicked it away from home. This year I am backing the home team again, but I am sure the Lions won’t let me down against a Cheetahs team that could struggle this season.

CRUSADERS v CHIEFS:
Saturday, February 14 – 6.35am

What a cracker we have in store here between two very exciting teams! The Chiefs always seem to start well, but the Crusaders always finish well.

Fleckie’s prediction: The Crusaders pack will squeeze the life out of the Chiefs for a home win first up.

HURRICANES v WARATAHS:
Saturday, February 14 – 8.35am

The Hurricanes blow hot and cold, but they have some big names in the shape of Rodney So’oialo, Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith. The Waratahs are settled, despite losing the likes of Vickerman and Lyons and their coach Ewen McKenzie to Europe. They also have some props injured and their form against the ‘Canes has never been good.

Fleckie’s prediction: Despite everything being against them, I am putting my money on the ‘Tahs in what should be a nice running game.

STORMERS v SHARKS:
Saturday, February 14 – 5pm

The build-up to this match began about three/four months ago and it will pit the country’s two premier coaches against each other. Both sides like to attack, both teams boast an assortment of Springboks… both teams want to make a winning start to the Super 14. The Stormers are looking more physical than they have in a while and the signing of Duane Vermeulen could just give them that physicality they need to make a serious charge in 2009.

Fleckie’s prediction: The Sharks have front row depth, a fantastic loose trio and a solid back three – which includes the class of JP Pietersen. However, I am going with the home to edge out a dog fight.

BULLS v REDS:
Saturday, February 14 – 7.10pm

The Reds made a big improvement in 2008 under Phil Mooney and I liked their approach, especially to the ELVs. They are still rebuilding, however, and I think a first-up away win over the 2007 champions might be a much to expect… The Bulls will need to make a big improvement after a disappointing title defence last year, but the return of Victor Matfield will boost them.

Fleckie’s prediction: The Bulls to win this one at home.

Catch you next week,
Fleckie

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