'No-nonsense' Tuks eyeing TUT scalp

FNB Tuks will have a 'no-nonsense' approach in their must-win FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International match against their Pretoria neighbours, the FNB TUT Vikings, this coming Monday.

Tuks, double semifinalists in this competition, suffered a first-round loss to Pukke on February 1, before being held to a dramatic 34-34 draw by UJ earlier this week.

As things stand now, Tuks are sixth on the Varsity Cup log with three points after two rounds of action; with just two teams behind them on the standings - the Vikings and FNB NMMU (both of whom are also winless thus far).

FNB Tuks head coach Freddie Grobler is aware of his team's current status in the Varsity Cup, and, knowing too well not to tempt fate, he chose his words wisely when asked about the challenge the Vikings would pose next week.

"There are no easy pickings in the Varsity Cup competition," he told varsitycup.co.za.

"As in any other match, we will obviously want to win, but we will not make the mistake of underestimating them (the FNB TUT Vikings). They are under more pressure than us and will pull out all the stops to win."

Of course, with this being a local derby, anything could happen and Grobler added: "Any match between us and them has always been a battle of wills.

"We are both from Pretoria and as such there will be a lot more is at stake than just FNB Varsity Cup log points, as valuable as they may well be. It will be a very physical local derby and we will take nothing for granted."

Grobler's team will, therefore, not read anything into TUT's heavy defeat against the defending champion Maties on Monday - when they went down 0-62.

"What happened in Stellenbosch, will stay in Stellenbosch," said Grobler. "They will be psyched up on Monday, we know that and will prepare accordingly."

At this stage of the season it does seem logical that FNB Tuks will target their upcoming matches - against TUT and NMMU (on February 22) - as the opportunity to get maximum points.

Ten from ten (points) would then put them back in the hunt for the 2010 Varsity Cup play-offs.

Looking back at his team's performance against UJ this past Monday (when they conceded the draw in the last second of play), Grobler said he still had high hopes for his charges as they have shown much promise - even if they played to their potential for about 20 minutes of the game only.

By Morris Gilbert