Luke Watson believes his comments about puking on the Springbok jersey were ‘twisted’ by the media.
In his first interview since the incident, Watson spoke frankly to Cape Town radio station Heart 104.9 about being booed, the Stormers Super 14 season, his comments about the Springbok jersey and being overlooked for the Springbok training squad.
Here are some of the key points covered in the interview –
Whether the initial booing in the earlier part of the campaign helped him perform better this season.
‘It was something that we had to get around as a team, not only as an individual. But ultimately it helped me, it encouraged me, it pushed me and motivated me. It was something that within a game or two had just become a complete nonentity and we just carried on with our duties and the job at hand.’
What he believed helped the Stormers find form at the end of the season.
‘One of the more encouraging things was that we had a lot of our youngsters coming through and youthful ignorance can sometimes be a good thing. They came in with a very fresh outlook and mindset and all of a sudden there was running rugby, the tries were coming and there was a completely different atmosphere and vibe within the side.’
Whether there was any truth to the rumours of unrest within the Stormers change room.
‘There were always accusations and rumours floating around, but within the Stormers camp we’re a very tight bunch of guys and we have some incredible friendships that have been forged over the years. So to say that anything really changed within the side would be a lie and I think that at one stage when things weren’t going well people started to look for any excuse or reason for why things aren’t going well. Having said that, a lot of the senior guys did get injured and when they got injured it changed the dynamics within the side completely and in most sides that would have a negative impact but on our side it had quite a positive impact.’
Whether his comments surrounding the Springbok jersey polarised South Africa.
‘Before you look at the way the comments were perceived, I think you have to look at the way they were portrayed and that was even more of a sad situation for me. And that is part of the reason I just don’t do media anymore because unfortunately 99% of the things I’ve said in the media have been twisted or portrayed in a negative way.’
Whether he would like to clarify what was said.
‘Basically I just let the thing be because it became such a whirlwind, where I was being attacked from all sides and things are changed and twisted in so many ways that you just don’t know where to begin. The whole situation was actually a very positive one before it was twisted. It was illegally taped, they held certain text out of it, they kept certain transcripts out of it so by the time I read what I supposedly said in the papers it was a completely different story and different context. I was disillusioned, and I still am, with many aspects in South Africa as many people are. My industry of choice is rugby and there are certain aspects within rugby – transformation being one of those – that I was disillusioned with. Being someone who is heavily involved, I am fully aware that transformation hasn’t been approached the way it should.’
Whether he said he felt like puking on the Springbok jersey or not.
‘I said there were aspects of South African that made me feel nauseous at times. The fact of the matter was that it was a whole bunch of mates of mine my age and younger than me, and if I had have stood up there and given them some sort of dialect or vocabulary that they never heard that would fly over their heads. Whatever words I did use, the principle behind it remains the same and I still believe that many aspects of South African rugby have not adopted and embraced transformation. Even in South African society there is a long way to go. We’ve done an incredible job and I’m very positive about this country, but I was voicing my opinions and some of my concerns about the industry I am in.’
If he would ever consider moving to another franchise.
‘Not at the moment. I have had this conversation with the CEO of Western Province Rugby Rob Wagner and I’ve said I am just absolutely passionate and dedicated to the Stormers and Western Province. My number one loyalty and allegiance at the moment would be to Western Province and the Stormers and I have just recently entered into negotiations to extend my contract for another two years.’
His thoughts on Chris Jack joining Western Province.
‘I think that it’s awesome. He is a fantastic player and arguably one of the best locks of his era. He’ll bring a lot of experience and he’s also been performing really well at the moment so it is really going to strengthen and bolster our forward pack.’
What he felt about missing out on the Springbok training squad and his view on Peter de Villiers only rating him as third in the list of No 8s in the country.
‘If Peter rates me third, fourth, fifth or sixth or even the best, then that is his opinion and he has every right to have it and even voice it. From my side, I’ve been pretty happy with my performances so far this season, but there is a lot of room for improvement. It’s always wonderful to be acknowledged as one of the best players in the country and in your particular position and if that acknowledgment had to come it would be a great pat on the back.’
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
SA Schools Rugby Update: Grey PE walking wounded
An injury-plagued Grey High will have to dig deep against Paul Roos in Port Elizabeth this weekend.
Grey suffered a huge setback when four key players picked up injuries in the Eastern Province Craven Week trials. Charismatic centre and goal kicker Nic Holten has torn a hamstring which will keep him on the sidelines for a number of weeks, while SA Schools flanker Siya Kolisa and SA Acadamy winger Paphya Hoya, who have been at the forefront of Grey’s victories this season, are also out of action.
‘It’s been a living nightmare this week,’ Grey coach Dean Carelse told keo.co.za. ‘We have key players out and have had to rethink our approach for Saturday’s game. The Craven Week trials, along with the Meyer Sauerman festival, have had a huge impact on our side in terms of injuries. At this stage, the demands on our players are unrealistic. However, we can’t make any excuses – we have to concentrate on the job at hand and make sure we are technically efficient on the weekend.’
In stark contrast, Paul Roos will arrive in PE with a full-strength side. After last week’s fixture cancellation in the Cape due to poor weather, the Stellenbosch boys may be a bit rusty in the opening half.
Enterprising captain and scrumhalf Rick Schroeder will be looking to ignite the dazzling Paul Roos backs. Fullback Craig Barry, who has had a splendid season for the visitors, will once again be looking for his forwards to provide him with a surplus of possession, while speedster Tshotsho Mbovana is also a player to watch with his effective running and devastating pace.
Grey, meanwhile, will rely heavily on dynamic front ranker Michael van Vuuren to make a physical impact.
In other schoolboy derby clashes this weekend, DHS host a rampant Glenwood and Bishops face a tricky encounter at rivals Wynberg.
NK, here's a derby that we can go watch at Reggies'
Grey suffered a huge setback when four key players picked up injuries in the Eastern Province Craven Week trials. Charismatic centre and goal kicker Nic Holten has torn a hamstring which will keep him on the sidelines for a number of weeks, while SA Schools flanker Siya Kolisa and SA Acadamy winger Paphya Hoya, who have been at the forefront of Grey’s victories this season, are also out of action.
‘It’s been a living nightmare this week,’ Grey coach Dean Carelse told keo.co.za. ‘We have key players out and have had to rethink our approach for Saturday’s game. The Craven Week trials, along with the Meyer Sauerman festival, have had a huge impact on our side in terms of injuries. At this stage, the demands on our players are unrealistic. However, we can’t make any excuses – we have to concentrate on the job at hand and make sure we are technically efficient on the weekend.’
In stark contrast, Paul Roos will arrive in PE with a full-strength side. After last week’s fixture cancellation in the Cape due to poor weather, the Stellenbosch boys may be a bit rusty in the opening half.
Enterprising captain and scrumhalf Rick Schroeder will be looking to ignite the dazzling Paul Roos backs. Fullback Craig Barry, who has had a splendid season for the visitors, will once again be looking for his forwards to provide him with a surplus of possession, while speedster Tshotsho Mbovana is also a player to watch with his effective running and devastating pace.
Grey, meanwhile, will rely heavily on dynamic front ranker Michael van Vuuren to make a physical impact.
In other schoolboy derby clashes this weekend, DHS host a rampant Glenwood and Bishops face a tricky encounter at rivals Wynberg.
NK, here's a derby that we can go watch at Reggies'
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Baby Boks Squad for 2009 IRB Junior World Cup
A total of 11 Blue Bulls players have been named in South Africa’s 26-man squad for next month’s IRB Junior World Champs in Japan.
Springbok Sevens star and Free State centre Robert Ebersohn will lead a squad which includes three players - Francois Brummer, Cornel Hess and Ebersohn himself, who represented the country at last year’s tournament in Wales.
Nick Koster, who was part of the squad last year, and would have been a likely candidate for the captaincy, missed out on selection due to injury.
‘We have selected a very strong squad with the intentions of winning the World Cup,’ said coach Eric Sauls.
‘This will be one of the most gruelling tournaments especially considering the fact that a team like Australia have nine Super 14 players in their squad. But we have selected a squad that includes the best Under-20 players in the country.
‘Our skipper Robert Ebersohn has been one of the stand-out players for the Springbok Sevens teams while Gerhard van den Heever has also played Super 14 rugby with the Bulls this year.
‘From this squad, we can select a side that can play an exciting brand of rugby and also be defensively strong as well. We also have on the management team, Nico Serfontein who coached the Blue Bulls to Vodacom Cup success last year, as well as Deon Davids, who coaches the Boland Absa Currie Cup side.’
The team will play a training match against Boland on Wednesday as part of their final preparations for the tournament, before departing for Japan on 31 May.
SA Junior World Champs Squad – Clayton Blommetjies (Blue Bulls), Zane Botha (Blue Bulls), Francois Brummer (Blue Bulls), David Bulbring (Golden Lions), Tendayi Chikukwa (Blue Bulls), Kyle Cooper (Natal), Lionel Cronje (Free State), Ross Cronje (Natal), Sias Ebersohn (Free State), Robert Ebersohn (Free State), Nicolaas Hanekom (Western Province), Yaasir Hartzenberg (Western Province), Cornel Hess (Blue Bulls), Morne Mellet (Blue Bulls), Jan Andre Marais (Natal), Sampie Mastriet (Blue Bulls), Kenechukwu Okafor (Natal), Caylib Oosthuizen (Golden Lions), Coenrad Oosthuizen (Free State), Rudy Paige (Golden Lions), Julian Redelinghuys (Natal), Johann Sadie (Western Province), Marnus Schoeman (Blue Bulls), Omphile Seabela (Blue Bulls), Christiaan Stander (Blue Bulls), Gerhard van den Heever (Blue Bulls).
Springbok Sevens star and Free State centre Robert Ebersohn will lead a squad which includes three players - Francois Brummer, Cornel Hess and Ebersohn himself, who represented the country at last year’s tournament in Wales.
Nick Koster, who was part of the squad last year, and would have been a likely candidate for the captaincy, missed out on selection due to injury.
‘We have selected a very strong squad with the intentions of winning the World Cup,’ said coach Eric Sauls.
‘This will be one of the most gruelling tournaments especially considering the fact that a team like Australia have nine Super 14 players in their squad. But we have selected a squad that includes the best Under-20 players in the country.
‘Our skipper Robert Ebersohn has been one of the stand-out players for the Springbok Sevens teams while Gerhard van den Heever has also played Super 14 rugby with the Bulls this year.
‘From this squad, we can select a side that can play an exciting brand of rugby and also be defensively strong as well. We also have on the management team, Nico Serfontein who coached the Blue Bulls to Vodacom Cup success last year, as well as Deon Davids, who coaches the Boland Absa Currie Cup side.’
The team will play a training match against Boland on Wednesday as part of their final preparations for the tournament, before departing for Japan on 31 May.
SA Junior World Champs Squad – Clayton Blommetjies (Blue Bulls), Zane Botha (Blue Bulls), Francois Brummer (Blue Bulls), David Bulbring (Golden Lions), Tendayi Chikukwa (Blue Bulls), Kyle Cooper (Natal), Lionel Cronje (Free State), Ross Cronje (Natal), Sias Ebersohn (Free State), Robert Ebersohn (Free State), Nicolaas Hanekom (Western Province), Yaasir Hartzenberg (Western Province), Cornel Hess (Blue Bulls), Morne Mellet (Blue Bulls), Jan Andre Marais (Natal), Sampie Mastriet (Blue Bulls), Kenechukwu Okafor (Natal), Caylib Oosthuizen (Golden Lions), Coenrad Oosthuizen (Free State), Rudy Paige (Golden Lions), Julian Redelinghuys (Natal), Johann Sadie (Western Province), Marnus Schoeman (Blue Bulls), Omphile Seabela (Blue Bulls), Christiaan Stander (Blue Bulls), Gerhard van den Heever (Blue Bulls).
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
SA Rugby Future is Still Bright
SA U20 Team 2008 at the IRB Junior World Cup
15 Wilton Pietersen (Sevens hero and Cheetahs player....sadly he's injured, might not be able to walk again)
14 Stephan Dippenaar (Played S14 for the Bulls this year)
13 Stefan Watermeyer (Played S14 for the Bulls this year)
12 Robert Ebersohn (Sevens Phenominon)
11 Omphile Seabela (Regular Vocaom player)
10 Francois Brummer (in the S14 squad and regular Vodacom Blue Bulls player)
9 Dewaldt Duvenage (Incumbent Stormers scrummie)
8 Gerrit Jan van Velze (c) (captain Bulls Vodacom Cup.....in charge of Mametsa, Tiger and Wayne Julies...hahahahhaha)
7 Nick Koster (Stormers)
6 Thiliphaut Marole (lions S14 squad)
5 Cornell Hess
4 Martin Muller (played for Stormers against Chiefs this past weekend)
3 Frederick Kirsten
2 Pieter Janse Van Vuuren
1 Corne Fourie (Bulls Vodacom)
Replacements: 16 Henri Bantjes, 17 Jean-Jacques Rossouw, 18 Sobelo Nhlapo, 19 Lusaseni Luvuyiso, 20 Josias Ebersohn (vodacom Cup Cheetahs) , 21 Vainon Willis, 22 Cecil Afrika (CC Hero)
South Africa is always blessed to have an abundance of young players that are good enough to compete at senior level. When i looked at this U20 squad from last, i begin to appreciate the wealth of talent that we have for the future. However, it pains me to note that a player of Wilton's calibre may never be able to rugby again. He has been in ICU for the past two months after being involved in a car accident. Had he been available, i'm sure our fullback concerns could have been laid to rest.
More so, a briliiant player in the form of Ebersohn has decided to commit himself to the shorter version of the game. Man, this guy is MASTER, as Jean De Villiers would say.
15 Wilton Pietersen (Sevens hero and Cheetahs player....sadly he's injured, might not be able to walk again)
14 Stephan Dippenaar (Played S14 for the Bulls this year)
13 Stefan Watermeyer (Played S14 for the Bulls this year)
12 Robert Ebersohn (Sevens Phenominon)
11 Omphile Seabela (Regular Vocaom player)
10 Francois Brummer (in the S14 squad and regular Vodacom Blue Bulls player)
9 Dewaldt Duvenage (Incumbent Stormers scrummie)
8 Gerrit Jan van Velze (c) (captain Bulls Vodacom Cup.....in charge of Mametsa, Tiger and Wayne Julies...hahahahhaha)
7 Nick Koster (Stormers)
6 Thiliphaut Marole (lions S14 squad)
5 Cornell Hess
4 Martin Muller (played for Stormers against Chiefs this past weekend)
3 Frederick Kirsten
2 Pieter Janse Van Vuuren
1 Corne Fourie (Bulls Vodacom)
Replacements: 16 Henri Bantjes, 17 Jean-Jacques Rossouw, 18 Sobelo Nhlapo, 19 Lusaseni Luvuyiso, 20 Josias Ebersohn (vodacom Cup Cheetahs) , 21 Vainon Willis, 22 Cecil Afrika (CC Hero)
South Africa is always blessed to have an abundance of young players that are good enough to compete at senior level. When i looked at this U20 squad from last, i begin to appreciate the wealth of talent that we have for the future. However, it pains me to note that a player of Wilton's calibre may never be able to rugby again. He has been in ICU for the past two months after being involved in a car accident. Had he been available, i'm sure our fullback concerns could have been laid to rest.
More so, a briliiant player in the form of Ebersohn has decided to commit himself to the shorter version of the game. Man, this guy is MASTER, as Jean De Villiers would say.
Monday, May 4, 2009
CoachTaru - Bok coach (Part 1)
With the Lions Test series a month away from commensing, CoachTaru has started to assemble his Springbok squad for the upcoming Lions tour. I have decided to do my thorough selection per position and therefore my first phase of selection will strat from the back and concentrate on the back three division. At the momentum, i must admit that it is still to early to start looking into my team that i will assemble for the Lions tests as injuries and form may play a leading role. Plus, i dont really know what is going on in my mate, DiV (he's responsible for selecting the the extended training squad of probably 30) with regards to whom he will invite in his initial training squad. As the chief selctor on the final cut, once the training squad has been announced, i will surely be able to take up my job of naming the match 22 that will run onto the park at the Shark Tank on the 20th of June.
For now, we shall look at the Part 1 selection criteria, the back three.
WINGS
The current contendors
1 JP Peterson (Sharks)
2 Bryan Habana (Bulls)
3 Jongi Nokwe (CHeetahs)
4 Odwa Ndungane (Sharks)
5 Akhona NDungane (Bulls)
6 Henno Mentz (Lions)
7 Tonderai Chavanga (Stormers)
JP is currently the form wing and would be a fans favourite to be on the starting side. I will play him any given saturday! Nokwe (Val's gym partner) is probably the quickest winger in world rugby at the moment , but it could be risky to unleash him as a starter against a Lions team set to kick to the corners with the likes of Jones and O'Gara and he could struggle. he has improved his game and his confidence or rather lack of it, that Val used to pin-point as his weakness is slowly maturing and would most likely use him in the near future. The Ndungane brothers are just off the chain, both offensevely and on attack and i would not leave them on war. But i suppose they fall-short of outright pace. (I can see NK already smiling and ready to pounce on me, especially with my next comment). Yes NK, Habana is still one of the best attacking weapons in the world and arguably the best finisher in world rugby. He may have been burnt by the Saders wing, or whoever (i doubt if he got burnt by Giteau as you claim), but he's form is slowly picking and should be ready by the 20 of June, if injury free.
My first choice
JP and Habana starting with Nokwe and Odwa as back up.
FULLBACK
The current contendors
1 Zane Kirchner (Bulls)
2 Louis Ludik (Lions)
3 Stephan Terblanche (Sharks)
4 Hennie Danniler (Cheetahs)
5 Conrad Janties (Stormers)
Div like Jake White are serious believers of loyalty and consistency in selection. Had Conrad not been injured, he would have been an automatic chioce for DiV, but then he hasnt really shone this year. Some critics see his injury as a blessing in disguise (well i feel sorry for him) and now we are faced with a daunting task of picking between the on form and expereinced Terblanche as well as the evergreen Zane and Louis Ludik. Terblanché seems to be everyone's favourite and it is hard to argue, given how well he knows his game and the role he fills for the Sharks with his superb positional sense, his strong kicking game and bravery under the high ball.
However, i have always voiced my opinion about choosing younger players in that position and also looking beyond the Lions tour. Therefore my selections may not be highly favoured by most people, but as the self-designated coach of the Boks, i will stand by my choices and will live by my decisions.
We have plenty of talent in the backline and one has to look beyond the incumbent players in the positions. Jaque Fourie and Frans can also settle well at fullback and should not be written off seeing they are likely to be second choice in their preferred positions. So they should also be considered for selection. You cannot simply leave someone like Fourie on the sidelines, so it makes sense to try and accommodate him somewhere. He is the best defensive back in the world (NK, im not fetching for records or stas, although it may be arguable), he is a natural runner and, of course, he started out playing for the Lions in the No.15 jersey - it would not be a new position to him
My first choice
Jaque Fourie is my first choice, with Frans (Stop laughing NK) and Zane as second and third choice respectively
In closing, i say unto you ladies and gentleman, this is my back three for the Lions test, Jp, Fourie and Habana, if you are not happy with, its fine. However, you are welcome to comment on it and make suggestions. If ever there are any other "better" suggestions, they have to be convincing and good enough to make me eat my words but this is IT!!!!! We'll talk tomorrow when i post my Midfield combinations.
For now, we shall look at the Part 1 selection criteria, the back three.
WINGS
The current contendors
1 JP Peterson (Sharks)
2 Bryan Habana (Bulls)
3 Jongi Nokwe (CHeetahs)
4 Odwa Ndungane (Sharks)
5 Akhona NDungane (Bulls)
6 Henno Mentz (Lions)
7 Tonderai Chavanga (Stormers)
JP is currently the form wing and would be a fans favourite to be on the starting side. I will play him any given saturday! Nokwe (Val's gym partner) is probably the quickest winger in world rugby at the moment , but it could be risky to unleash him as a starter against a Lions team set to kick to the corners with the likes of Jones and O'Gara and he could struggle. he has improved his game and his confidence or rather lack of it, that Val used to pin-point as his weakness is slowly maturing and would most likely use him in the near future. The Ndungane brothers are just off the chain, both offensevely and on attack and i would not leave them on war. But i suppose they fall-short of outright pace. (I can see NK already smiling and ready to pounce on me, especially with my next comment). Yes NK, Habana is still one of the best attacking weapons in the world and arguably the best finisher in world rugby. He may have been burnt by the Saders wing, or whoever (i doubt if he got burnt by Giteau as you claim), but he's form is slowly picking and should be ready by the 20 of June, if injury free.
My first choice
JP and Habana starting with Nokwe and Odwa as back up.
FULLBACK
The current contendors
1 Zane Kirchner (Bulls)
2 Louis Ludik (Lions)
3 Stephan Terblanche (Sharks)
4 Hennie Danniler (Cheetahs)
5 Conrad Janties (Stormers)
Div like Jake White are serious believers of loyalty and consistency in selection. Had Conrad not been injured, he would have been an automatic chioce for DiV, but then he hasnt really shone this year. Some critics see his injury as a blessing in disguise (well i feel sorry for him) and now we are faced with a daunting task of picking between the on form and expereinced Terblanche as well as the evergreen Zane and Louis Ludik. Terblanché seems to be everyone's favourite and it is hard to argue, given how well he knows his game and the role he fills for the Sharks with his superb positional sense, his strong kicking game and bravery under the high ball.
However, i have always voiced my opinion about choosing younger players in that position and also looking beyond the Lions tour. Therefore my selections may not be highly favoured by most people, but as the self-designated coach of the Boks, i will stand by my choices and will live by my decisions.
We have plenty of talent in the backline and one has to look beyond the incumbent players in the positions. Jaque Fourie and Frans can also settle well at fullback and should not be written off seeing they are likely to be second choice in their preferred positions. So they should also be considered for selection. You cannot simply leave someone like Fourie on the sidelines, so it makes sense to try and accommodate him somewhere. He is the best defensive back in the world (NK, im not fetching for records or stas, although it may be arguable), he is a natural runner and, of course, he started out playing for the Lions in the No.15 jersey - it would not be a new position to him
My first choice
Jaque Fourie is my first choice, with Frans (Stop laughing NK) and Zane as second and third choice respectively
In closing, i say unto you ladies and gentleman, this is my back three for the Lions test, Jp, Fourie and Habana, if you are not happy with, its fine. However, you are welcome to comment on it and make suggestions. If ever there are any other "better" suggestions, they have to be convincing and good enough to make me eat my words but this is IT!!!!! We'll talk tomorrow when i post my Midfield combinations.
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