Finish, finish, finish!

The headline of this story could just be TUT's war-cry for the 2010 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International.

"When we took stock of what went so terribly wrong in 2009 we came to two conclusions; firstly, we had too little depth to absorb the many injuries we endured in the middle part of the season and, secondly, we converted too low a percentage of opportunities into points," forwards coach Jimmy Watt told varsitycup.co.za.

TUT lost all its Varsity Cup games in 2009 and ended last...

The last thing Watt or his players want "is a repeat of where you have to move your focus to the ever important promotion/relegation match whilst the Varsity Cup is still in progress".

According to Jimmy, TUT have addressed the shortfall in terms of their playing depth, but the team will also have to up its finishing rate dramatically if they are to realise their true potential in 2010.

"I am confident that our off-season preparations were more productive and goal-driven than in 2009," he explained.

"At our training camp the players made an undertaking to do everything in their power to qualify for the play-offs. It is true that we cannot do worse than in 2009, but winning one or two games will not make for a better season. We need more, much more to not just be mere contenders," Jimmy added.

The draw could, however, be one of TUT's biggest challenges.

"We have only two matches at home and it will be the first season that we play Maties, Ikeys and Shimlas away. We will have to be mentally tough and start proving it in our first two matches (v UJ on February 1 and Maties on February 8).

"The first two weeks can be make or break for us because a good start always gives you an important psychological edge," Jimmy concluded.

By Morris Gilbert