WP discard sends Poms into frenzy
6 Oct 2008
It’s premature to suggest that Bristol’s new South African signing Mathew Turner will become rugby’s version of Kevin Pietersen but the kid Western Province didn’t want has started his senior professional career brilliantly.
Turner has represented WP U19 and was the leading try scorer in the inaugural Varsity Cup for UCT in 2008. Many respected commentators predicted a bright future in South Africa for the youngster, some even suggesting that he was ready to make the step up to senior provincial rugby.
However, despite his obvious class he was deemed surplus to requirements at U21 level at WP and sought to forge a career with Bristol in the Premiership. He debuted on Saturday against Northampton and shone in a losing cause, scoring two tries and creating a number of opportunities for teammates.
Turner holds a British passport and has already been drafted into England’s Sevens 26-man training squad. If he makes an appearance for them he’ll be ineligible to play for South Africa. If he continues to build on his impressive start with Bristol there is every chance that he could be considered for the England Test side for their Year End Incoming Tours, where he could face the Springboks on 22 November. England have trialled a number of wingers in recent times and the position remains a headache for them.
Prior to the 2008 season Western Province opted to contract veteran wing Wylie Human from the Lions as cover for their first-choice players in that position. The deal made no sense given that Human is 29-years-old who had seemingly hit the ceiling of his potential. Turner was yet to spring to prominence during the Super 14, but WP would have surely known what Human could offer at that stage and could have gambled on a rookie.
Turner was apparently keen to stay at WP, but was given no indication that he was in the long-term plans of the union. This prompted his decision to move once the offer from Bristol came.
Western Province are particularly guilty of allowing their best young players to be poached by rival South African unions. They’ve already surrendered SA U19 players Francois Hougaard and Stephan Dippenaar to the Bulls. Both went on to acquit themselves well in the Super 14. Another former Western Province junior Juandré Kruger, has deputised brilliantly in the absence of Bakkies Botha. These are just the most recent of a number of top performers the union has let slip through their fingers.
Something needs to change at the union so as to ensure that they retain their best young players. If not, WP supporters must brace for more of the disappointment they’ve become all too accustomed to in recent years.
By Ryan Vrede
309 Comments
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7 Oct 2008, 10:08 am
I hate this racist ****, WP are useless in signing the right players period, it has nothing to do with Turner being white, for f sake, Jongi Nokwe, Guthro Steenkamp, Adi Jacobs, Ricky Januarie couldnt secure contracts at WP, the really problem is talent scouting!!!
7 Oct 2008, 10:51 am
#300 XhosaKid: thats crazy if true, they really let a lot of talent slip
7 Oct 2008, 12:02 pm
mmmmmm interesting, but Ryan you failed to confirm his position – is that left of right wing?
7 Oct 2008, 12:17 pm
#302 jayvee: he’s white, it must be right wing
7 Oct 2008, 14:39 pm
301 XhosaKid – you are correct. Some other guys who couldn’t secure decent contracts include Dan Vickerman and Brent Russel!
7 Oct 2008, 16:22 pm
#298 katman: Morning (me) afternoon (you). Howzit all.
Katmancan’t – how’s the baby? .
I am interested in the Yaks – are they in good condition, is it a buy one get one free? And do you include free shipping? Will WPTID be included as chief orange peeler and sherper? I really need to make sure I make the right decisions here. Especially as Minnesota has no real mountains – so they will have double up on the milk side. Finally I would like all the paperwork, including the all important Tibetan pedigree papers.
7 Oct 2008, 16:23 pm
Matt Turner was in Matric at Bishops in 2006. That year’s Bishops first team lost just twice in 21 games, to Grey College, (14-25) and in a freak game played in pouring rain against Bellville High (0-6), drew to Paarl Gim, but were the only side to beat Paul Roos and were unofficially ranked 4th in the country.
Turner, left winger, finished the leading try scorer (28) and points scorer (287) in the country but was was not even selected to represent the WP Craven Week side that lost two of its games despite having powerhouse school teams to choose from (Paul Roos ranked 1st that year, Paarl Gim 3rd and Bishops 4th).
7 Oct 2008, 18:44 pm
#284 Big Hit: So they won’t damage muscles or something?#283 katman: HAHAHA ok thanx Katman obviously you’re not a very big fan of the big headedness of some players or the Bulls for that matter…..
7 Oct 2008, 23:56 pm
#306 SodaJoe: Hey SodaJ, baby Ben is wonderful. Hard to believe he’s almost 3 months old. He’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen.
The Yaks are in fair condition. They’ve seen some off-piste action and it shows. But they’re Nepalese Yaks and tough as Griquas locks. Tell me what you can spend and we’ll work something out. I’ve also got some well looked after cross-country Llamas if you’re interested.
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