Cup scheduling shambles

NO STRENGTH V STRENGTH Bulls forced to field a weakened side against Griquas.

The Currie Cup starts tonight, but its scheduling, starting while Super Rugby enters its most crucial phase, and a system which sees teams like the Lions and Sharks start the tournament with second-string sides, fatally undermine what used to be a showpiece tournament in South African rugby.

While the Lions are rightly peeved about having to worry about something other than ensuring they convert their firstplace finish in the Super Rugby table into a rare title for South Africa, the Blue Bulls are also unhappy that they start the tournament by playing a full-strength Griquas side, fresh from playing in the final of the SuperSport Rugby Challenge, in Kimberley tomorrow night.

“Griquas are an excellent side, even in the final they just made little mistakes which Western Province scored from, and it’s always very difficult in Kimberley. Plus they’ve been playing together, they’re always very physical and playing at 7.30 in the evening is another challenge. Unfortunately we don’t play the big unions when they’re still involved in the Super Rugby play-offs, we only play them when they’re back at full strength,” Blue Bulls coach Nollis Marais said.

New Bulls Rugby Executive John Mitchell, who will be involved as the attack coach in the Currie Cup, does still see value in the tournament, however, as a means for the union to regain pride after an awful Super Rugby campaign and as a build-up for next year’s southern hemisphere competition.

“It’s an opportunity for us to get our confidence back and play well, to play winning rugby. So that’s our short-term goal, every week, and our priority. In the long-term, the Currie Cup is important for player development and also to develop our depth ahead of the Super Rugby pre-season,” Mitchell said.