Willemse out for season?
15 Apr 2006
Ashwin Willemse may miss the rest of the season after tearing ligaments in his knee in the 36-8 Vodacom Super 14 loss to the Sharks on Saturday.
It was the third time in less than three years that the former SA Rugby Player of the Year had seriously injured the knee. Although it is too early to tell, the latest setback may signal the end of his rugby career. A full assessment will be made on Monday.
Willemse was making his comeback at Super Rugby level in the match and had fared well in a losing effort for the home side. The right wing had hoped to get through 80 minutes of rugby before kick-off and he came within three minutes of achieving that elusive goal.
The Springbok flyer was stretchered from the field after 77 minutes in tears as the gravity of the latest injury sank in.
“He has torn the ligaments in his knee quite badly,” said Cats coach Frans Ludeke afterwards. “It doesn’t look good at all,” said a crestfallen coach.
Willemse had come through a Vodacom Cup match for the Lions last weekend and looked a class above from the outset against the Sharks. While he was clearly rusty, his desire to be back at this level was evident with several incisive breaks.
Willemse has played very little rugby the past twelve months. He missed the complete Super 12 in 2005 and played only half a game against the Stormers before he was pulled off at half-time.
This was after he had suffered a cruel double injury in the Springbok warm-up match against the Central Unions in Kimberley in 2004.
Highly rated by Springbok coach Jake White, a fit Willemse was almost assured of playing in White’s 2007 Rugby World Cup squad, but the latest blow could have ended that dream.
By Andrew Hollely
46 Comments
15 Apr 2006, 20:02 pm
When is he going to stop doing stuff like that to his knee?
15 Apr 2006, 20:03 pm
Ash,
Get well old pal.
15 Apr 2006, 20:04 pm
This is a sign to show Ash has realy past his sell-by date.
15 Apr 2006, 20:10 pm
he should never have been allowed a full 80 min. it was stupid and i said it on this site before the game.
15 Apr 2006, 20:46 pm
Kners
You got what you wanted.
He only was on for 77
15 Apr 2006, 20:54 pm
Wasted 77 min of his career. Hope he come good and goes to playfor another union.
15 Apr 2006, 22:26 pm
****,
he was the one guy in the team that looked liked class.
what a loss
15 Apr 2006, 22:29 pm
man.
i rate this guy.
and he has gone through some ****.
ash dude, be strong.
your fans will always support you.
you deserve better.
never give up.
15 Apr 2006, 22:34 pm
I was against him playing the full game. I said in a previous thread that he should have played some more VC and then CC. There is nothing in the S14 for the Cats to gain so why risk the man?!!! This should weight heavily against Ludeke and his ****** management pals at the Cats. Will we see changes at the Cats? What will it take to get rid of the F-T-L-C quartet of clowns? I have never seen such a poor display by the Cats. Is there anyone out there with the authority, will and guts to bring this circus to an end? Where are the sponsors? Are they satisfied with the Cats making a mockery of their brands? PrimeMedia (94.7), SAA, what are you going to do? We the fans demand action!
15 Apr 2006, 22:58 pm
Kats you are absuolutely right. Ludeke is obviously more intent on saving his own career than ensuring the well-being of one of his star players coming back from a serious injury. What was Ludeke trying to prove by playing Ashwin for the full 80?
15 Apr 2006, 23:20 pm
Thinking of you Ashwin.
16 Apr 2006, 00:14 am
What absolute **** luck the poor man has.
16 Apr 2006, 00:56 am
What happened to this second half season story?Rubbish that is all it is.Man these guy’s played better on tour for crying out aloud.We as fans want answers please explain why a star player was played for a full 80?Ashwin is out now for the whole season.
16 Apr 2006, 01:09 am
That is ridiculous. Rush a guy back from a serious knee injury, then put him on for 80 minutes in his first game back in the Super 14? Something was bound to happen.
He needed short bursts of exposure while the knee continued to strengthen. Now his career is done. The chances of coming back after three ligament tears are miniscule.
This really pisses me off. Ash was a fantastic player.
16 Apr 2006, 02:15 am
grandpa knees
16 Apr 2006, 02:49 am
Another quota player in the casualty ward (again)…
16 Apr 2006, 03:41 am
Piss off Tackler.. Keep on going Ashwin.
16 Apr 2006, 03:54 am
Tackler, thats well out of order you knobend, learn some decorum you prick
16 Apr 2006, 04:15 am
Out of order? Nah.
Losing Willemse is a bit like losing the hubcap off your car.
It spoils the look but it has no effect on the function.
16 Apr 2006, 07:07 am
How many players do the Cats have like this?
Willemse, Labuschagne, Januarie, Jaantjes.
Now I know why the Cats can’t afford a decent coach. They spend too much on the salaries of crocks who can’t play two games in a row.
16 Apr 2006, 07:34 am
Your’e a bell end Tackler, quota my arse you racist
16 Apr 2006, 07:45 am
I feel like crying for this guy… for real.
He was on some show some time ago, showing how he’s dealing with being sidelined by his injuries..He was doing some good work for his community but he mentioned that it was affecting his income BADLY
I really hope he comes off well, like D.Cisse of Liverpool ( when he recovered from his broken leg in record time)
but if it is career ending, he should get into coaching. He’s still young and he’s black..Y not go overseas, get his coaching stripes come back and work his way through the system (**** Muir). No point being plonked into the top too fast..(ala Chester Williams)
16 Apr 2006, 07:51 am
Bummer Ash ! Hope you can get sorted you – you really deserve a break from all these injuries – get fit soon !
16 Apr 2006, 07:56 am
As much as i like him, i have very little sympathy.
Nobody here to blame but himself, Cats coaching and management and springboks coaching and management (he is still on contract). You don’t bring a player straight back into Super 14, let alone a SA derby!! It’s just stupid and the game was already lost … why was he still on the field when he is an injury risk?
16 Apr 2006, 08:33 am
He looked very good for the first half, this is such a pity. But im afraid thats career over if you ask me.
16 Apr 2006, 09:40 am
tackler, normally i dont let you bait me. i know u r a constant, u bait on this site because that is what u do, fair enough, often what u say is true eventhough we might not wanna hear it in the style you deliver it.
but i wanna see you call ashwin a quota player to his face, u little man. what do u or i know about this guy, his life and what he did with it.
bait us, insult us, piss us off, eh man, i reckon we even have a soft spot for you on this site. but cummon, have some pride in yourself and dont just take a cheap shot at a guy to get at us.
u have more ammo than that at your disposal, this just shows a lack on imagination. u can do better.
16 Apr 2006, 09:44 am
Another crocking for unlucky Ash.Surely we have to ask if the management of this player is responsible for his woes???It seems a little too unlucky.Anyway Ash looked good in a woeful team yesterday and I wish him all the best in coming back from this blow.
16 Apr 2006, 09:46 am
Poor Ashwin…but his multitude of injuries come from being a FLINGER – something between a flank and a winger!! He gets TOO involved in rucks and mauls and driving with the ball amongst heavy traffic whilst he is NOT conditioned to do so!!
In my opinion that reflects badly on coaching – he should have been taught the modern day wing’s positional play better!
16 Apr 2006, 09:49 am
yeah B4theGame, i agree. think of it though, u r a guy like ashwin with pride, u r playing in a team like the cats where if u sit on the wing u r never gonna get the ball. so u go looking for work.
16 Apr 2006, 09:49 am
B4 it is extremely difficult to not get involved when you have no tight five or decent loosies to do the work.The two best players on the park yesterday were the wingers.This due more to the ineptitude of the rest of the team.
16 Apr 2006, 09:54 am
Me thinks that is a career finished.
16 Apr 2006, 09:55 am
Knersboy and Rasta – it has been his style even with Boks – go look at the injury he suffered against central unions – In my opinion he plays a **** Muir type of game from the wing..
I just put it down to NOT being coached properly..u dont see Rokococo driving amongst the forwards
If he ever returns Rugby again he should be moved to centre..
On the 2 wingers being the best players – Jaque F was totally wasted on the wing, and sorry to say Andre P still DOES NOT impress me!
16 Apr 2006, 10:14 am
Beg to differ on the Rococoko statement.He is as happy to mix it up with forwards and backs.It is a question of technique and tactical awareness that sees him get out ASAP and return to his position.
16 Apr 2006, 10:17 am
Face facts. Ashwin is, was and always will be a mere “quota player”.
16 Apr 2006, 10:34 am
please justify this conclusion of your tackler.
16 Apr 2006, 10:37 am
Tackles your point is taken,it is however a serious blight on your character to continue to insult a player who has done you no wrong and has suffered a major blow.You’re opinion regardless Ashwin has gone out and given his best and paid a dear price.Show a little respect!!
16 Apr 2006, 11:22 am
Tackler … in life there comes times when a gentleman shows respect even to an old enemy. Now is such a time. Whatever your opinion of the man’s rugby abilities should now stand aside for Ashwin the fellow man in time of serious personal crisis.
16 Apr 2006, 11:23 am
**** U HOMELESS HOME SICK PRICK !!!
16 Apr 2006, 11:30 am
I hope the GLRU do the right thing and make sure Willemse get the best medical care the world has to offer – even outside SA if needed. I hope all the bloody coaches learn something from this – icluding White who did the same to him. Players deserve better protection and care. We cannot afford loosing quality players in this stupid selfish way.
I ask again if Human wasn’t good enough to complete a dismal S14 Cats campaign – why not go for Johan Daniels – or even Jorrie? Why do this to Ashwin in a desperate career saving exercise?!
16 Apr 2006, 12:15 pm
Where is SARPA now?! Hennie, what are you guys going to do about this case? Should you not be taking on the Cats/GLRU management for the mismanagement and abuse of Willemse? Yes abuse – considering who’s careers are on the line. Or do you guys only kick into gear when money is at stake?
16 Apr 2006, 12:18 pm
SARPA would have no interest unless there was a commision to be made on some compensation etc. Just another self-serving acronym,like we really needed another!!!
16 Apr 2006, 13:26 pm
Knerboy—-Post 26—–Well put.
Rastafox—-POst 36—–Well put.
Nahtino—Post 38—–Not so well put, but you got your message out there.
16 Apr 2006, 13:28 pm
Ash
It is really sad that you are injured again, sometimes life is just not fair. I hope and pray that you can recover and show all those doubters of your talent and skill on the field.
16 Apr 2006, 14:14 pm
It was a sorry sight seeing him leave the field like that. Some people just can’t get a break! Hopefully he takes a bit of a break from rugby and comes back fresh like big Os did.
16 Apr 2006, 15:32 pm
As I said during the week, put him in the Vodacom Cup first and let him slowly work out the rust before moving onto first class rugby. Some ous here thought I was talking kak.
17 Apr 2006, 22:10 pm
Thetackler!U made me to register here. I must say your comment just shows of how much brian cells you have. Im sure you think you should be playing for the Boks instead of all the Black players that are in the side.
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.