Cape Town - Luke Watson is playing some of the best rugby of his career, but the controversial loose forward still has a mountain to climb if he hopes to be part of the Springbok squad again.
While Bok coach Peter de Villiers prefers not to comment about individual players, he did intimate that team dynamics may be a factor in assembling his squad.
“I have always said I will be honest with the players and will not stand in the way of anyone who wants to realise his dream. He (Watson) will be treated the same as the other players. There are many factors one takes into account.”
One of those is probably team dynamics and that may just be where Watson is doomed following last year’s comment that he had to keep himself from vomiting on the Springbok jersey.
Watson is commanding a lot of respect with his form in the Super14 this season, but his unpopularity among other players may be a problem.
Former Springbok captain Corne Krige told Sport24 Watson is playing “unbelievable rugby”.
“I would pick him for South Africa on form, but the question is whether Peter is prepared to take that risk because that can disrupt the team,” said Krige.
“The good thing about Luke this year is that we are not hearing him talk. Rugby is what he is good at and he is playing incredibly well at present. He can return to politics later in life,” said Krige.
“He is among the best fetchers in the Super14. Rassie Erasmus (Stormers coach) is using him well as a fetcher from the No 8 position.”
Krige would not pick Watson as a “classic No 8” before the likes of Ryan Kankowski or Pierre Spies.
“I would consider using Luke to play to the ball. The problem with a loose-trio of Schalk Burger, Juan Smith and Spies is that all three are similar players. Luke gives you something different,” said Krige.
“I doubt whether he will be picked. He has a lot of talent, but it’s not that much more than other players that it will leave a gaping hole if he’s not selected.”
Krige does not believe Watson necessarily has to be a spent force at international level.
“Everybody makes mistakes. The important thing is to admit your mistake and apologise.”
To date Watson has not done that. He has made himself available to play for South Africa again following the agreement that the Protea will appear on the left of the national jersey and the Springbok will move to the right. [news24]
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