Tough-talking Willem demands more

NMMU have suffered four successive crushing defeats in this year's FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International, and flyhalf Willem Laubscher insists it is time for some 'tough-talking' to be done in the Madibas change-room.

The Madibas have conceded more than fifty points in each of their games thus far - against the Maties, Shimlas, the Ikeys and in their most recent defeat, last Monday's 36-63 loss to Tukkies in Pretoria.

Laubscher was in no mood to offer excuses for his side's leaky defence; instead, he believes the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University players need to front up and start making their one-on-one tackles.

"Our defence is not up to scratch at all," the 24-year-old told varsitycup.co.za. "It is the biggest problem we've got and we can't expect to win games if we defend like that.

"One-on-one defence is our main problem. I mean that winger [Tukkies flyer Dirk Dippenaar] ran through five our guys to score [on Monday night]! That was not good enough."

Ironically, Monday evening's loss was the Madibas' best attacking performance this year, with Laubscher contributing 21 of his side's 36 points. The pivot though, is looking for more from the Port Elizabeth-based side.

"We have to look at the facts. The guys are remaining positive but there needs to be some tough talking done if we are to improve [this season]."

The straight-talking No.10 acknowledged that his team is getting better with ball in hand, but he is the first to admit that they are not getting enough of it (the ball) to consistently trouble their opponents' defences.

"We don't get a lot of ball," admitted the former Paarl Gymnasium pupil, "I'm a flyhalf and I got the ball about three or four times only.

"We did do some good things on attack - Braam [Gerber] had a great game at centre and Carl [van Niekerk] made a big difference when he came on at fullback," he added. "I really think we did much better on attack than in previous weeks."

The task for 'Oom' Kolie Brandt's NMMU side does not get any easier this week, with the daunting prospect of last year's beaten finalists, Pukke, looming large on Monday, March 1 (kick-off 6.30pm). (They are, at least, playing at home in Port Elizabeth!)

"Pukke are one of the best side's in the tournament and there defence is awesome so it is not going to be easy," conceded Laubscher.

Even though things are not going their way at present, the Madibas remain in good spirits, according to their permanently jovial pivot, and Laubscher insists it remains a thrill to be part of a tournament that is "much better than last year"; both personally and for the rest of his teammates, and the NMMU management.

"The level is definitely gone up a level since last year. It is such a big competition for the all the coaches and players," he said.

"The big teams have got even better and they put so much effort into their pre-season - it's tough for us to keep up with the big boys!"

By Tim Human