Determined Tuks making it matter
You don't win matches in the printed media, at launches or on social networks like Facebook and Twitter. You win them where it matters most: between the four white lines.
That is how 'underdogs' UP-Tuks will feel after proving the odds and predictions wrong on Monday night in front of a lively crowd of 10,000 at the Tuks Rugby Stadium in Pretoria.
UP-Tuks' 23-8 win against UJ in the opening round of the 2012 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International was the Pretoria-based side's third over their neighbours from across the Jukskei River in less than a year.
In fact, UP-Tuks were the only side to have beaten UJ in its last nine VC matches. Last year UP-Tuks, thumped UJ 38-23 in the group phase and 25-11 in the semifinals (both times away from home).
"We were never worried about being the underdogs," said Tuks head coach Nollis Marais.
"Being written off is, in fact, a handy tool in motivating players. I gather people have their reasons why they speak so highly of UJ and their chances to topple the Ikeys as champions, but I worry only about the things I can control. And I can control only what my team does."
Speaking on Tuesday morning, a happy Marais described his team's performance as a clinical execution of the gameplan.
"We did what we set out to do: to disrupt them with ruthless defence and effective tactical kicking.
"Our defence was outstanding and we mounted even more pressure by our well-directed kicks. I am very satisfied with our performance. People may well say it was not pretty, but like the legendary Boy Louw so rightly pointed out: 'Looks at the scoreboard!'.
"Getting off to a winning start was very important, by any means necessary if need be," he concluded.
By Morris Gilbert
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