Stormers deny Luke axing
8 Nov 2007
The Stormers rubbished allegations that a final decision has been made on next year’s team captain.
The Cape Argus reported Watson will not resume the captaincy and World Cup-winner Schalk Burger, also a specialist opensider, is touted as his successor.
However, a statement was released clarifying that “a decision will only be made in December after proper consultation between the coach, management and relevant senior players.”
The statement called the newspaper article speculative and claims that no such decisions have been made at this stage
Watson was first made skipper in last year’s Currie Cup despite his young age (22). Then coach Kobus van der Merwe retained his services in the Super 14, but a rib injury prevented Watson from playing the majority of this year’s domestic competition.
Watson incurred the injury in his Springbok debut against Samoa. The young No 6 was expected to join South Africa on the away leg of the Tri-Nations, but the rib ailment prevented his involvement.
Van der Merwe started both Watson and Burger in the 2006 Super 14, employing a left-right flanking strategy. Time will tell if new coach Rassie Erasmus will consider this tactic, or whether he will try shifting one of these players to No 8. Erasmus did this with Ryno van der Merwe when he coached the Cheetahs, maximising Van der Merwe’s talents on the deck.
However, Watson will be competing against the likes of Justin Melck and Joe van Niekerk, who could be contracted to the franchise after his deal with Northampton fell through for medical reasons. Former Gloucester captain Jake Boer played a few games for Province this season and is likely to feature in the squad as well. Robbie Diack will also be in the mix.
The pre-season training squad will be announced next week after the contracted players’ list is finalised on Friday.
227 Comments
Pages: « 1 2 3 4 [5] Show All
8 Nov 2007, 17:06 pm
As always guys – it has been a real pleasure talking to you guys. I am outta here. Hans Strijdom / Molibolibongiliwili str – here I come.
8 Nov 2007, 17:08 pm
Go well Cheetha.
8 Nov 2007, 17:17 pm
From rugby365:
World Cup-winning coach Jake White has been given the full backing of the South African Rugby Union’s (SARU) notorious President’s Council and he will accompany the Springbok team on their end-of-season tour of the United Kingdom.
In a dramatic move on Thursday, the council also firmly slammed the door shut on Sharks coach **** Muir’s attempt to make a late entry into the Springbok coaching race.
Perhaps more significantly, however, the council also decided to overturn its ban on overseas-based players playing for the Springboks, which means the likes of national captain John Smit, lock Victor Matfield and record-breaking full-back Percy Montgomery have not played their last games at Test level.
8 Nov 2007, 17:20 pm
Interesting that SARU needs to talk to SARPU (The SOUTH AFRICAN Rugby Players Union) as the overseas Boks no longer play in SA. What can SARPU do, negotiate with overseas clubs to release them whenever SA needs them for training camps etc and take the players out on strike if they refuse?
8 Nov 2007, 17:29 pm
Hi all
David, I think it actually has to do with the labour laws of SA. SARPU acts like a trade union for the players, and it may be that it will be unconstitutional for SARU to enforce this ban. Therefore they need to consult with SARPU before a decision can be made – just maybe a glimmer of hope that SARU is actually doing something by the book – maybe Stofile pointed that out, ouboet might have advised him.
8 Nov 2007, 17:49 pm
An *** (donkey), being driven along a high road, suddenly started off and
bolted to the brink of a deep precipice. While he was in the act
of throwing himself over, his owner seized him by the tail,
endeavoring to pull him back. When the *** persisted in his
effort, the man let him go and said, “Conquer, but conquer to
your cost.”
8 Nov 2007, 18:01 pm
206… Far too deep for a rugby site…..
8 Nov 2007, 18:36 pm
I personally wouldn’t mind if Luke were axed. I don’t like his attitude or running style.
8 Nov 2007, 21:31 pm
Who cares about his running style…. and his attitude is committed….he just looks like a sulking brat,but i never liked James Small (king of bad attitude,chip on shoulder and ego ,but he could play.
Luke is good. that damned Samoan took him out of a ruck w the shoulder and no arms,injuring him now for a long time. We never even cited. It would have made Luke look like a cry baby. Screwed him up badly though.
I like Schalk just playing. Leave Luke at capt (if the team like him)…..atleast we have a host of good loosies.
Rassie will do fine….faith in him.
8 Nov 2007, 22:39 pm
Is Luke Waton moving to the Blou Bulle ? He would be a good captain for them
9 Nov 2007, 05:38 am
So much for the “Pick Luke Watson” campaign, complete with cheesy t-shirt!
So much for the “inspirational skipper”!
So much for Ebrahim Rasool’s “honorary black”!
A one-test wonder.
Good riddance.
9 Nov 2007, 06:52 am
No worries Tackler.
I am sure that Luke does not think much of you either.
If he has ever bothered to read one of your posts…
9 Nov 2007, 07:22 am
Fluke can’t even think at all. No brain capacity left over.
His brain-space is all used up with his over-large Wotsup family ego.
9 Nov 2007, 07:48 am
213 At leaset he did’t run away like you did…
9 Nov 2007, 07:51 am
Tackles. Didn’t you “think” that the ABs would win the WC??
9 Nov 2007, 08:03 am
“Good coaches can accommodate everyone’s personalities.” – Rassie Erasmus…
at last… a coach worth respecting…
9 Nov 2007, 08:06 am
213 – Sounds like a 10 year-old’s insult.
9 Nov 2007, 08:07 am
TheTackler,
You are fooling yourself, Luke will not just be a Springbok for many years to come, he will be the captain.
I see there’s lots of hate relationship here when it comes to Luke but no-one can deny his talents at his young age.
I wish he relinquish the captaincy as I think he will became a better player for the Stormers.
9 Nov 2007, 11:33 am
The Force is strong in The Halfling.
He shall prevail.
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Best Stormers Loose combo:- Schulk, The Halfling and Melck.
As good as any in the Super 14, with the exception of the Almighty Hurricanes.
The problem for the Stormers has not been their Loose forwards but elsewhere in the pack.five.
9 Nov 2007, 12:59 pm
Wp support are the only ones that rated Luke , the rest of us did not including Rassie
9 Nov 2007, 13:02 pm
Come on Strompies like we have Hougie and JP you have Luke , they are not better than S14
9 Nov 2007, 13:27 pm
ruck , There are children in the Western cape that are alomost 8 years old and that does not know what winning a cup feels like
9 Nov 2007, 13:46 pm
Capebull,#222.
There are Wingers in Pretoria that are 27 years old and have only scored tries from intercepts.
9 Nov 2007, 13:47 pm
And there are adults on this site that DO not know when not to use DOES.
9 Nov 2007, 15:50 pm
cane wat praat jy van , dis vrydag middag wees meer spesifiek , jy praat in tale ek verstaan nie.
9 Nov 2007, 15:52 pm
Katman jy’t die voorreg om ons almal op ons taal gebruik punte gee, dit gaan hier oor die boodskap nie oor die tail nie , relax
9 Nov 2007, 19:56 pm
Does anyone know who were the main persons pushing for Luke Watson to be capptain of WP and Stormers Last year?
Pages: « 1 2 3 4 [5] Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.