Springbok rugby coach Peter de Villiers says that he has had enough of the football world cup which is taking place in his country and wants to get on with the TriNations.
De Villiers’ Springboks wants his South African team to to focus on the defense of the Tri-Nations title they won last year and he says the world cup is a distraction.
“I’ve had enough of soccer,” De Villiers told AP after being asked if the Springboks would watch the world cup while they were on tour.
“I have got something to achieve. And that is equally as big for this country as what the soccer World Cup will achieve.
“I don’t even know who the four (World Cup) semifinalists are at the moment and I don’t care.”
South Africa had a dream draw last year and played their first three matches at home but this year they start with a daunting three-match tour of New Zealand and Australia which starts on Saturday.
The Springboks play their opening TriNations match on Saturday and the football world cup final is on Sunday which allows the Springboks to watch the match if they want to.
“I want them to enjoy all spheres of life,” De Villiers said of his players.
“But then again I’m the leader of the pack. If anything goes wrong, I’m the one to take the flak.
“I don’t want them to be distracted.”
South Africa are the favorites to retain their Tri-Nations title after two South African teams contested the Super 14 final -the Bulls and the Stormers – and the Springboks beat Six Nations champion France 42-17 at home in Cape Town.
De Villiers however says that his team would not be taking anything for granted even though they are the favourites.
“We are trying to improve week by week, even if it is only by a half a percent,” De Villiers said.
“We try to improve the little things and in the end hope the little things become big things for us.”
De Villiers added that he respects the coach of his opponents this week All Blacks coach Graham Henry after the New Zealanders said that he was hoping that his team could nullify South Africa’s effective game plan.
“He’s a good coach,” De Villiers said of Henry.
“But he’s a bit like me. We’ve both got big mouths.”
I feel like old Snorrie about this… there is nothing in it for SA anymore, as far as the soccer is concerned… time to concentrate on real sport where we are actually world leaders and playing fellw world leaders on Saturday.
One does not get bigger rugby than Bokke vs All Blacks…. that is the ultimate, the pinnacle… that is what rugby is all about.
Sometimes Div’s snor gets in the way and I can’t make out a thing that he’s saying. But based on this report I reckon we’re in for some tasty Snor soundbites in the run-up to the RWC 2011. Fasten your seatbelts, we could be in for some turbulance. 😉
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