Naas: Falcons will soar

Naas: Falcons will soar

29 May 2006

The Falcons have started the season in the best possible way by winning the Vodacom Cup, but director of coaching Naas Botha remains grounded when considering their chances in the Currie Cup.

“Obviously the players have excelled in winning the Vodacom Cup, but it is seriously not the same standard in the Currie Cup,” the veteran of 28 Tests told keo.co.za.

Botha emphasized the need for the Falcons players to adapt quickly to this higher level of rugby and admits that it won’t be easy, especially for the forwards. The Falcons pack will now face up against a number of those who played in an intense Super 14 competition.

Speaking of the province’s goals for this season, Botha is frank about his side’s standing in provincial rugby. “No one can take this victory away from us, but we now have to go out there and just do the best we can.”

Having said that, Botha confirmed that he does not want to see the Falcons just making up the numbers in the competition. “We have a very competitive backline and can be competitive in the forwards.”

On the topic of Springbok withdrawal from Currie Cup rugby and how it should increase the chances of the lesser teams, he is equally dismissive. “This is going to assist everyone, but no one wants to be known as the side who won the Currie Cup when there were no Springboks.”

By Jon Cardinelli


80 Comments

  • 1.Simon: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 12:02 pm

    Muppits,

    “JC” aka Jon Cardinelli will be contributing to keo.co.za over the next 6 weeks. Please give him a warm welcome

  • 2.Rudebud: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 12:06 pm

    Welcome “JC” aka Jon Cardinelli. :-)

  • 3.wpw: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 12:12 pm

    Welcome JC.

  • 4.Frazer: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 12:16 pm

    Simon – No special treatment will be given to any new journos. We may very well tear him a new one… :-?

  • 5.Tony: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 12:24 pm

    Simon/Keo/Andrew/Ig/JC and whoever…

    Why not a piece in SA Rugby, one page, on a journo? One month Andrew, then Ig and so on…?

    Will beat having to read Naas every month ;)

  • 6.StephenB: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 12:25 pm

    Welcome to the ‘hood.

  • 7.David: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 12:36 pm

    JC? Keo, is this your 2nd coming?

  • 8.Andrew: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 12:37 pm

    Tony -

    You would need at least a couple of pages on keo, and Ig would require a whole extra supplement. A bit like FHM’s Home Grown Honeys pullout section, but with more intellectual stuff like smilies and lots of swearing!! :mrgreen:

    Hello Ig…

    PS Welcome JC!! Don’t worry the Muppits are harmless, except….

  • 9.RedCard: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 12:37 pm

    Sometimes I wonder if JC himself can save this website.

  • 10.Ig: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 12:40 pm

    red – i doubt he could…..

    ATBG – when are we gonna get some articles out of you today ? Or are you experiencing the aftermath of the weekend……

    ferk i hate smilies

  • 11.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 12:41 pm

    Is he cute?

  • 12.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 12:42 pm

    There goes Naas’ arti blown completely out of the water.

  • 13.Ig: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 12:42 pm

    Dawn – i’ll send him over for inspection……

  • 14.Andrew: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 12:43 pm

    Dawn,

    Down girl.

    Ig – I’m sick like I’m being punished for something. I can make stuff up if you want?

    Not much happening anyway…

  • 15.Rudebud: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 12:49 pm

    Andrew

    Can’t you do an article on the Prozone program that Jake’s got ? An amazing tool.

    Further, we have read in the Sunday’s paper that Jake is very impressed with Pierre Spies. Is the stats results available ? Would love to see how the Boks compared; eg speed tests, bench press, etc in comparison to Spies.

  • 16.Ig: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 12:50 pm

    You mean when you publish stuff here you telling the truth ?

    Is there any truth in the rumour that you might have been responsible for the rash of groin injuries in the camp last week ?

    Bummer ! Hot Totty !

  • 17.Andrew: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 12:53 pm

    Rude,

    Individual stats not available. And the prozone things been done I’m afraid.

    Spies was looking good though.

    And Ig, to answer both your questions: NO!!! :mrgreen:

  • 18.Rudebud: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 12:54 pm

    Andrew

    You got the thread where it’s been done ? Cannot believe iv’e missed it… :-(

  • 19.Andrew: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 12:56 pm

    Rude: Can’t remember but it was ages ago…

  • 20.StephenB: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 12:58 pm

    Rudebud, do a site search for Prozone.

  • 21.Andrew: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 12:59 pm

    Lunch :lol:

  • 22.David: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 13:00 pm

    Prozone or prozac?

  • 23.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 13:08 pm

    Last guy who told me “Down girl” is still in traction at Tygerberg Hospital.

  • 24.StephenB: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 13:09 pm

    Up girl

  • 25.BlueBlood: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 13:14 pm

    Welcome JC, all you have to remember is that the Bulls and Blue Bulls never lose, the other team only scores more points than us.

  • 26.Frazer: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 13:15 pm

    While you’re down there….

  • 27.suparugby: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 13:18 pm

    Dawn

    Down girl! (Pls I need time off at work and the hospital food is good!) “wink:

  • 28.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 13:24 pm

    Ig no JC inspections. Don’t want to traumatise the poor guy.

  • 29.David: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 13:29 pm

    Ig
    What’s JCs credentials? Is he a quota?

  • 30.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 13:37 pm

    David moenie aangaan nie.

  • 31.David: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 13:40 pm

    Sorry Dawn
    Couldn’t resist it.

  • 32.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 13:44 pm

    “Cardinelli” is obviously the newest member of the Priory of Monarchs. He has strong Vatican connections and was chosen specifically for this reason.

    Initiation to take place at the Tudor Hotel on Greenmarket Square 13h00 tomorrow.

  • 33.Ig: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 13:46 pm

    DDavid – he’s only been here 4 hours…..

  • 34.David: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 13:52 pm

    Dan
    I thought it would be the Monte Casino in Jhb.

    Ig, that’s no excuse. The Cats manage to totally **** up in less than 2 hours of a rugby match.

  • 35.David: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 13:53 pm

    Sorry, Dawn with a woubleyew.

  • 36.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 13:56 pm

    Tudor Hotel hires rooms by the hour.

    That’s where all the Monarchs were last week Thursday when the whole lot disappeared.

    Yeesh that BEE thread is blah and the Bok thread has turned Afrikaans.

    What to do, what to do.

  • 37.David: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:00 pm

    Down Girl!

  • 38.scrawl: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:03 pm

    work, maybe

  • 39.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:06 pm

    Ig I’m bored changed my mind please submit Cardinelli for inspection.

  • 40.Frazer: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:09 pm

    So is rugby the passion of JC??

  • 41.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:09 pm

    Why anyone would wanna shorten a name like that to JC is beyond me.

  • 42.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:10 pm

    Is he a JC Superstar?

  • 43.Frazer: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:11 pm

    maybe cos it’s quicker?

  • 44.suparugby: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:12 pm

    Damn but this site is boring today! Ive got 3 threads open and still nothing much going on…

    Maybe I can get some guys on this site: STORMERS IS KAK!!! :grin:

  • 45.Frazer: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:13 pm

    supa – yep, slow day on the blogg. Should we have another fight?

  • 46.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:15 pm

    It’s like this irritating habit of sportsmen where Pollock becomes Polly and Gibbs is Gibbsey and so on and so forth.

    I hate that.

  • 47.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:16 pm

    Frazer. Copy that Marley and post it to me.

  • 48.David: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:18 pm

    Dawn
    Every SA cricketer has his named shortened to end in “y”. It’s a diminutive thing.

  • 49.suparugby: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:18 pm

    Frazer

    Anything for some conversation cause Im bored out of my skull here(how is that for a dutchmen?)
    Jou KLIP! Just kidding…

  • 50.Andre_WP: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:19 pm

    The guy is not very friendly is he ? lol

  • 51.Rudebud: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:19 pm

    Dawn

    You seem to know the Tudor Hotel very well ?

  • 52.suparugby: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:20 pm

    Dawn

    Can we call jou Dawney??

  • 53.Frazer: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:20 pm

    Dawn – your mailbox limit is too puny. I tried and it bounced me. As far as the name thing goes – you’re right about that. It seems to be rife in cricketing too. I used to be called Frazey. Seems a bit girly now that I think about it… What do you think Dawny?

  • 54.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:22 pm

    No you may not call me Dawney.

    David man. I know it’s a diminutive (?) thing … didn’t know they were into making themselves feel smaller.

    IT’S BLOODY IRRITATING!

  • 55.Frazer: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:22 pm

    Suparugby – So what do you want to fight about, clutchplate?

  • 56.wpw: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:23 pm

    frazer and suparugby, get a room!

    dawn, jy hou jou nogals wit op die thread né?

  • 57.Frazer: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:24 pm

    wpw – mind your own business, phuktard…

  • 58.suparugby: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:25 pm

    lol Frazer
    Lets fight over you freakin soutpiele that cant speak dutch? :cool:

  • 59.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:28 pm

    Frazer I mean make a CD and send it snailmail.

  • 60.Frazer: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:29 pm

    Supa – I’m trying to speak it more often, so that I can learn how to swear at boneheads mostly… One thing is definately true though, niks vloek so goed as Afrikaans nie…

  • 61.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:30 pm

    wpw don’t come here with that gam slang asseblief.

  • 62.Frazer: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:30 pm

    Jeez Dawny – you’re certainly taking liberties, aren’t you? I tell you what, mail me your postal and I’ll think about it…

  • 63.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:31 pm

    I’ll pay. I’ll do anything for Bob.

  • 64.Frazer: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:31 pm

    Jou brood…

  • 65.Frazer: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:33 pm

    That last one was meant for Suparugby… Sorry…

    Dawn – so mail it, and I’ll do it…

  • 66.suparugby: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:34 pm

    Frazer

    True! Im gonna “moer” you, I will “bliksem” you does sound better than “Im gonna punch you” I will hit you”

  • 67.suparugby: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:35 pm

    Whats “brood” Frazer?

  • 68.Frazer: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:37 pm

    bread?…

  • 69.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:40 pm

    Rudebud it’s the only place in town where you can go for a lunchtime quickie and no-one bats an eyelid.

    As I say, by the hour.

  • 70.Frazer: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:40 pm

    Ok peeps – it’s been real…. real boring… I suppose I better get some work down now… Later everybody.

    Dawn – mail me at frazer @ mindfork.co.za

  • 71.suparugby: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:42 pm

    No its Frazer Brood=Frazer! :razz:

  • 72.Rudebud: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:42 pm

    Dawn

    Sounds good ! Seeing that i am just as bored as you are, should we go for a drink at The Tudor ? :idea:

  • 73.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:43 pm

    (Takes woolly hat and leaves.)

  • 74.suparugby: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:44 pm

    Even the fighting didnt work Frazer. Ill be nice now although im still bored…

  • 75.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:51 pm

    GBye. Am bored too.

  • 76.rastafox: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:51 pm

    Ahoy JC!!!

  • 77.suparugby: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 14:53 pm

    a new cheetah thread Jippie!

  • 78.suparugby: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 15:00 pm

    Yeah Im LAST!!!

  • 79.Hmmm: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 16:42 pm

    Ig 10,

    Does ATBG stand for Andrew The Big *** :?:

    Welcome JC Fortiun aka Cardinelli :!:

  • 80.Ig: Reply to this comment
    29 May 2006, 16:50 pm

    No Hmmmmm its stands for Andrew the boy genuis

Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

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