Matfield D-Day looms
22 Apr 2008
Victor Matfield will decide this week whether to return to the Bulls or stay with French second division club Toulon.
Matfield, widely regarded as the world’s best lock, joined big spending Toulon in December 2007 on a multi-million rand deal. He does, however, have a clause in his contract that allows him to reassess his position after six months.
In a recent interview with SA Rugby magazine Matfield hinted strongly that he would like to return to play for the Bulls, but said his earning potential and being able to spend more time with his family was the appealing thing about staying in the southern French city.
“Two or three seasons here would set me up for life financially and being able to see [his wife] Monja and [daughter] Jaime everyday is something I’m loving,” he said.
“[But] I think I made the move to France two years to early. The decision to come here was based on the fact that I believed I had two years of international rugby left in me. In my mind the Lions tour in 2009 was going to be my final series, so I decided that it would be good to finish by experiencing a different rugby culture and be paid handsomely for it in the process. Then, after the World Cup, I felt great, and at this stage I want to play for another four years, with the World Cup in New Zealand the obvious target. If I want to realise that goal I need to be playing my rugby in South Africa.
Asked whether the incessant pressure he was under in South Africa wouldn’t deter him from coming home Matfield said: “You’d think that I grew tired of it, but I really miss the pressure for some strange reason.
“To test yourself against the world’s best players weekly is a privilege, and something that I miss terribly. Toulon is a great club and I‘m still dead set on playing my part in getting us into the Top 14. They’ve been very good to me, and for that I’ll be eternally grateful. But the Bulls have a special place in my heart. I miss what we’ve built up over the last eight years. The majority of that squad went through hell in the early 2000s in the (then) Super 12. We came through that together, and won the competition last year. So there’s a strong bond between the guys.
“If I can get stuff sorted out with Toulon and back in South Africa I’ll probably be coming home.”
Last year, South Africa lost a host of World Cup winning Springboks to lucrative contracts with European clubs and there are currently 93 other South Africans playing in the Premiership, French Top 14 and Frennch Pro 2 Division. Matfield said players who sign to play in Europe have to be clear in their motivation.
“If they’re coming here for the retirement package and more time with their families, there really isn’t a better place than France, Toulon in particular. But if they still have ambitions to achieve something in South Africa, those “what if” questions will always be there. Those questions have haunted me a lot since I‘ve been here.”
Toulon are known to be very reluctant to release their star signing, hoping that he will be their trump card if they gain promotion to the Top 14 – which now looks likely with them seven points clear at the top of the table with six rounds remaining. It would not be surprising if millionaire club president Mourad Boudjellal offered to improve Matfield’s current deal to retain his services.
Boudjellal told SA Rugby Magazine that he envisages creating a team of stars who are able to compete for the title in their first year in the Top 14. Toulon, who are coached by Tana Umaga, already boast players of the calibre of George Gregan, Anton Oliver and Andrew Mehrtens. Last year they attempted to sign Schalk Burger and Jerry Collins but were rejected, while an approach was made to Bulls Super 14 winning coach Heyneke Meyer. Most recently they’ve been linked with Dan Carter, although French giants Toulouse look favourites to land the All Black flyhalf.
Matfield’s Springbok lock partner Bakkies Botha recently expressed his desire to move join Matfield at Toulon. Boudjellal told keo.co.za that he had signed a pre-contract agreement, committing himself to the club from 1 April 2008. However, the Bulls refused to release Botha, who last year signed a four year extension to his existing Bulls contract.
By Ryan Vrede
301 Comments
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22 Apr 2008, 12:10 pm
Right eks weg. Praat later. Cheers!!
22 Apr 2008, 12:16 pm
‘n Ou omie lê in die hospital, op pad teater toe. ‘n Jong blonde verpleegster kom ingetrippel met sy mediese verslag in een hand en ‘n bakkie met skeergoed in die ander hand.
“Goeiemôre, oom! Af met die broekie vir my!”
“Nou vir wat, nursie? Wat wil jy nou maak?”
“Ek wil jou skeer, oupa, want ons gaan jou mos vandag besny,” antwoord sy geduldig.
“Nee man, ek is hier vir ‘n oogoperasie!” gil die oupa verskrik.
Die verpleegsterjie verloor haar humeur en spreek hom streng aan: “Kyk oupa, ek het nie tyd vir nonsies nie. Hier staan in jou verslag: Verwydering van die horingvlies.”
posted by katman in South Africa.
22 Apr 2008, 12:20 pm
More kwagga – esp fr you :
While attending a marriage seminar on communication, Paddy and his wife listened to an instructor declare: “It is essential that husbands and wives know the things that are important to each other”. He addressed the men “Do you know your wife’s favourite flower?” Paddy leaned over and touched his wife’s arm gently and whispered “Selfraising”, isn’t it honey”? And thus began Paddy’s life of celibacy.
22 Apr 2008, 12:25 pm
Bul ondersteuners is dit waar?
We, the undersigned, loyal Blue Bull supporters, declare:
1. The Blue Bulls have a long and proud rugby history, as the most successful team in the history of the Currie Cup, and reigning Super 14 Champions.
2. The Blue Bulls have been a large contributor to the success of South African rugby as a whole, including the recent successful World Cup campaign.
3. The Blue Bulls rugby development structures are generally recognized as world-class, if not leading the world.
4. The Blue Bulls Company is financially the most successful in South Africa, enabled by the confidence shown in them by their sponsors, investors and supporters.
Therefore, we, the undersigned, loyal supporters of the Blue Bulls, note with concern the performance of the Vodacom Blue Bulls in the 2008 Super 14 competition, and the severe decline in the overall performance of the team, and wish to state the following:
1. We declare a position of no confidence in the current coaching staff. We acknowledge the major transition between the previous and current head coaches, but feel that given the amount of talent available, that the transition to a new coach plays a large role in the current under-performance of the team.
2. We declare a position of no confidence in the current selection process. We acknowledge the loss of senior players to European clubs, but feel that some senior players are selected just to protect the Blue Bulls Company investment, instead of selecting in-form players.
3. We declare a position of no confidence in the communication processes of the Blue Bulls Company. Despite the very obvious fact that the Blue Bulls are under-performing, there has been no statement of concern, nor an acknowledgment of the fact that the Bulls are not performing up to the high standards that we the fans have come to expect.
We also feel that the communications process around the medical condition of Pierre Spies and the contractual situation of Bakkies Botha was poorly handled, leaving room for conspiracy theories and wild speculation.
Therefore, we, the undersigned, request the following:
1. Clear, open and honest evaluation of the performance of the entire coaching staff, and an undertaking from the Blue Bulls Company to rectify the situation as soon as possible.
2. Clear, open and honest evaluation of the performance of the senior players in the team, and an undertaking from the Blue Bulls Company to rectify the situation as soon as possible.
3. Clear, open and honest communication with us, the fans of the Blue Vodacom Bulls.
Please note that we are NOT threatening a boycott of the team’s home games, but will point out that continued mediocre performances will have that effect anyway.
The Blue Bulls have a long and proud history in the game. We, the undersigned fans, cannot continue to see the problems, and keep quiet about it. We are as much a part of the proud history and culture of the team as the players, the coaches and the Blue Bulls Company.
Please see this document as our expression of concern for the team we love, and not as a threat or undue criticism.
Sincerely
The Blue Bulls Fans
22 Apr 2008, 12:33 pm
#53 stoutwetter:
Wow…..I haven’t seen this but sounds good to me!!!!!!!!!!!
22 Apr 2008, 12:34 pm
#51 katman: LOL! Lekker een!
22 Apr 2008, 12:34 pm
Well if Ryan accepts my previous post the adress is there where you can sign the petition…
22 Apr 2008, 12:35 pm
#53 stoutwetter:
Old news. In response, the Bulls management posted a statement on the Bulls website about a week ago.
22 Apr 2008, 12:35 pm
#52 Rugby_Princess: Pragtag!
22 Apr 2008, 12:40 pm
#6 Andre_WP: Hey if Johnson can become manager of England (ha ha) surely Victor can coach the Bulls – he can’t do a worse job than the Loser!
22 Apr 2008, 12:46 pm
#14 FrenklyMuDeah: Hey maybe their relationship is deeper than we think and they need to get back together?! Just wonder who would be the bull & who would be the cow?????
22 Apr 2008, 12:49 pm
#59 Gr8ter: Ja nee , dink die bulls moet dit oorweeg. He will do a beter job than Ludeke , only problem he still have alot of rugby in him.
22 Apr 2008, 12:51 pm
#53 stoutwetter: Stoutwetter – my heart bleeds for all you Bulls Fans – you’r just going to have to live with it for a while – we had to live with the likes of Kevin “Bloody” Putt for a while – Life’s a cycle! Sterkte ou bull!
22 Apr 2008, 12:54 pm
#61 Andre_WP: Hey Andre – player/coach – that way he gets both salaries (which could then mach a French offer)? The problem is if we stick to ELV’s then it much diminishes the value of locks like Victor!
22 Apr 2008, 12:55 pm
Statement from the Blue Bulls Co. :
To all our 12,000 loyal fans who came to watch us in our rare win against a very poor Highlanders team, many thanks.
In this, our darkest hour, we appeal to you to convince your fickle friends out there to join us for our remaining home games. We have spent all the money we made from our wonderful Super14 campaign last year and if we dont want to lose more players to european clubs we need to sell wors rolls and klippies half-jacks fast! Please note that any lack of effort on your part will be punished by drastic increases in the price of said staples.
On the Frans Ludeke front, we regret to announce that your protests have been noted but shall be ignored. Oom Frans has fitted us like a glove. he is malleable and ductile. These are qualities which are not to be underestimated. Once all of you have finally accepted mediocrity, we can start slowly building our network of jobs-for-pals. It worked for the nats and seems to be in fashion again. Oom Frans is just the beginning.
Many thanks.
The Blue Broeder Company
22 Apr 2008, 12:55 pm
#62 Gr8ter:
I have a feeling that Kevin “Bloody” Putt would have even been ‘n better choice than old kondoomkoppie
22 Apr 2008, 12:57 pm
#64 rangerman: Einaaaaaaaaa
22 Apr 2008, 12:58 pm
Nee nee manne eks n WP ondersteuner. Ek vra maar net of die bulletjies no al sover gatvol is. Ek moes met Fester saam leef…
22 Apr 2008, 13:01 pm
gbs
sorry mate, no harm intended for my blue bulls mates here but it pisses me off no end to see a proud union go down the drain. we moan about mugabe and govt incompetence but it is the same thing.
sorry again, maybe i am a little cranky today!
22 Apr 2008, 13:03 pm
#67 stoutwetter:
Ja maar nie Fester of Kevin Putt het al ‘n champion span so laat implode nie, dis blerrie verregaande!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In die jare wat die Bulle swak was, was dit omdat hulle ‘n span moes opbou, dit was nie vol bokke nie en s14 champs nie….die idioot weet seker nou nog nie wat hy moet doen omd ie span vir die elv’s te coach nie…………..
22 Apr 2008, 13:05 pm
#22 Tacitus:
Mr Tac,
here in NZ, income is good for graduates but the competition is stiff. If you are a young Island or Maori rugby player, making a living from sprots takes precedent over education. The white kids here excel in many fields.
The cost of living here is one of the highest in western world. Many chokers leaving for Aussie where living costs are lower and income to match.The cost of houses here is very high..and the bubble is ready to bust.
Yes, I get to se the boys play from over here..little early in the morning BUT we still dressup and beer up for the game like the chokers here do.
life here in conclusion is good..if you have money.
22 Apr 2008, 13:05 pm
#68 rangerman:
No worries Rangerman, what can we say? I have no words hehehe, and I’ll have you know for me that is a very strange experience!!!
22 Apr 2008, 13:05 pm
#68 rangerman: Just imagine if you’re gatvol and pissed off with the doings and screwings at the Bulls how gatvol US, the loyal supporters of the Bulls are this year, after last year’s S 14 season.
Murder, abduction, assault and other wayward behaviour has been seriously contemplated on various occasions !
22 Apr 2008, 13:07 pm
Sekere Bulls ondersteuners is net so pateties soos die huidige span, liewe hel, almal kry af seisoene, my liewe WP het 6 K@K seisoene agter die rug maar nooit was daar soveel str@nt en drama soos nou nie…
Aanvaar dit, julle verloor, die wêreld gaan nie tot stilstand kom nie, want behalwe julle, voel niemand ‘n F@K nie, as ons verloor is ons: (En hierdie kom uit Bloubul ondersteuners se monde uit) Plein K@K! So geniet julle seisoen, ek hoop julle word bloots gery tot by die 14de posisie.
‘n nuwe coach gaan boggerol help nie, julle span het maar net so lekker moer-my houding, JP Nel & Barbie’s Boyfriend Olivier is al tussen 3 en 5 jaar lank K@K maar almal kom dit nou eers agter. Vir hoeveel jaar kla almal dat julle span ‘n hoop Een-Dimensionele-Vervelige-Klomp-Clowns is, nou met die ELV’s kan julle kamstig nie aanpas nie…
Universiteite pas aan, skolerugby pas aan, maar nee, julle klomp onfikse dikgatte kan nie…siestog!
Dalk moet julle bietjie gaan draf, dan kan ou Puddingface Fourie en Drillbakkies Botha weer in shape kom, betyds vir volgende jaar se Super 14…
Sorry oor die uitbarsting, maar ek kan die ge-moanery nie meer hanteer nie…
22 Apr 2008, 13:08 pm
“The Blue Bulls have a long and proud rugby history, as the most successful team in the history of the Currie Cup, and reigning Super 14 Champions”
The most successful team in the history of the Currie Cup? Based on what? Number of Currie Cups? Because WP is far ahead on that count. WP is also the only province to do the five-in-a-row.
22 Apr 2008, 13:09 pm
#33 Ryan: thank you sir for exercising your right of reply. I hope WP are paying you enough for your under the table PR work you are doing for them this S14 campaign.
have a good afternoon bru
22 Apr 2008, 13:09 pm
ja tripple, condolences.
gbs
i feel your pain mate.
22 Apr 2008, 13:10 pm
#73 thesaint:
Ai tog!!!!!! en dan se hulle die bul ondersteuners is arrogant!!!!!!
22 Apr 2008, 13:13 pm
#77 Tripple E: Dis nie arrogant nie, nêrens prys ek my span nie, anyway, die bul ondersteuners glo dis hulle reg om te wen, al daag hulle net op, so, ja, hulle is arrogant
22 Apr 2008, 13:13 pm
grootblousmile
Is daai Jakarandaboom nog gereed? En die galgtou?
22 Apr 2008, 13:14 pm
#78 thesaint: so jy se nou al die bull supporters is so……….gaan speel met jou hoenders man!!!!!
22 Apr 2008, 13:14 pm
The Saint
Hierdie Pudding Face dikgatte het die Stormers gewen. ***, wanneer laas het die Stormers die Bulls gewen??
22 Apr 2008, 13:17 pm
lol @ saint
22 Apr 2008, 13:17 pm
#81 kwensie:
As jy net leef om die Stormers te wen, en dit dan jou seisoen volmaak maak, is dit jou probleem my vriend, daar is 12 ander spanne ook, onthou dit maar…
Middag Steyna
My hoenders is dood, onthou jy nie?
22 Apr 2008, 13:19 pm
#83 thesaint: Ek weet hulle is dood….dit is hoekom ek se gaan speel met hulle.
Daai pot is groot jy moet roer boet………
22 Apr 2008, 13:19 pm
#80 Steyn the Disgusted Bull:
Jy weet ek het net die hoogste respek vir Tolbooth Will, GBS en SUPA, julle is nie ingesluit nie…
22 Apr 2008, 13:19 pm
#73 thesaint: My vet vriend, miskien is ons Bulls net nie bereid om 6 seisoene te wag soos julle geduldige klomp boomrokers nie….
Ons aanvaar nie die stront van hierdie jaar nie want ons is nie tevrede met enigiets behalwe ‘n voluit poging nie.
Natuurlik kan die Bulls, selfs met meeste van hul bestaande spelers, beter doen……. dit gaan oor motivering, passie en geestelike ingesteldheid……. soos uitgestal hierdie afgelope Saterdag toe die Bulls spelers eenvoudig gesê het “genoeg is fokkeennnn genoeg, ons SAL opstaan”
Ludeke MOET ‘n groot deel van die blaam dra as man-manager en motiveerder vir die swak poging hierdie jaar.
……… en moenie met die kakk kom dat die Bulls nie onder die ELV’s kan gedy nie……… dis loutere tos !
22 Apr 2008, 13:20 pm
Ag Steyn, jy mors jou asem met thesaint, dis net blah blah blah
22 Apr 2008, 13:21 pm
Saint jy oraait vandag.
Wie het in jou pap gekak vanoggend?
22 Apr 2008, 13:22 pm
Mirrag die wat ek noggie gegroet hettie!!
22 Apr 2008, 13:22 pm
86 Goooooo GBS!!!!! kan nie glo dat hy kom rant en rave hier, genade ons moes dan 6 jaar na hulle geween en gekners van tande luister!!!!
22 Apr 2008, 13:22 pm
#86 grootblousmile: Dis nie ek nie GBS, die Blou Bul Maatskappy het dit gepubliseer in hulle persverklaring…
Hulle het gesê: “Die Blou Bulle kon dit nie regkry om soos die ander spanne die ELV’s implementeer nie”
Nie my woorde nie, julle span s’n…
22 Apr 2008, 13:22 pm
Hello Kwagga!!!!!!
22 Apr 2008, 13:23 pm
#90 Tripple E: Wie is jy mannetjie? Jy het klaarblyklik nie ‘n clue met wie jy praat nie, jy beter by die huis kom sodat jou ma kan kinders tel…
22 Apr 2008, 13:24 pm
#88 KWAGGA ROBERTSE: He he he, net so bietjie stoom afgeblaas…
22 Apr 2008, 13:24 pm
Manne julle is meer as welkom om met my te verskil maar die Bulls is by verre die mees ‘passionate’ supporters in die land. Ons duld eenvoudig nie kuk nie. WP manne sal vir 6 jaar toekyk hoe hulle span vir n bol kak gaan en niks daaraan doen nie. Rugby lewe in elke Bulls supporter se hart. Dis nie net naweek vermaak nie. Dis deel van ons lewens.
Voel vry om te chirp hieroor ek voel fukkol maar in julle harte weet julle dis die waarheid.
22 Apr 2008, 13:25 pm
#93 thesaint:
EEE is eintlik ‘n vroutjie!!! LOL.
Sy doen die telwerk.
22 Apr 2008, 13:25 pm
#93 thesaint: Tripple E is n
lady…..nie soos die goet wat jy optel nie!!!!!!..hehehehehe.
Die stormer supporters se bekke is lekker groot
22 Apr 2008, 13:27 pm
#69 Tripple E: Tripple – don’t confuse the issue – Ludeke does’nt know how to coach – full stop! He F’ed up the Lions with the old rules and a not so bad team and now he id F’ing up the Bulls with a good team and the ELV’s ! What figures? I wonder who he has got something on to still be in the coaching world?
22 Apr 2008, 13:27 pm
Hallo Kwagga
Ek kom kuier daar in julle dorpie die naweek. Kyk uit vir my, ek is die ou met die Camry waaruit die Sharks vlag wapper.
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