WP discard sends Poms into frenzy

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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  • 201.Staal: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 17:37 pm

    nou kyk wie val nou hier uit!

  • 202.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 17:38 pm

    #197 pedspin: sorry man

  • 203.Staal: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 17:38 pm

    Ek’t nogal n Wp/Bulls final voorspel…. :oops:

  • 204.Sheriff: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 17:38 pm

    #198 Fern:

    Miskien kan julle hom sommer gaan optel daar met die groot Ford bakkie en die lang aerial oppie dak. Haha

    Vat die sambok saam as hy hom wil verset teen arrestasie, hahahahahaha

  • 205.shooter: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 17:39 pm

    Jammer WP. TFC. Hoop Rassie kan jul regkry vir die S14, vir SA se part.

  • 206.saru1983: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 17:39 pm

    #195 grootblousmile: my apology will be posted on here at half past nine.

  • 207.Fern: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 17:39 pm

    #200 shooter:
    sharks vs cheetahs.
    #201 Staal:
    ek het julle estate manager onmoet en hy het julle waterslotte se werking mooi aan my verduidelik.
    smart ou daai.

  • 208.Sheriff: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 17:40 pm

    #205 shooter:

    Sien my opbouende voorstel by post 177

  • 209.Staal: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 17:40 pm

    #207 Fern: nou wat’s jou storie…. kom koop een!

  • 210.Fern: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 17:41 pm

    #204 Sheriff:
    ek sal champie en n 15jarige scratch golfer wat n 250m 8 yster van sy kniee af kan slaan saamvat.

  • 211.pedspin: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 17:42 pm

    #202 rangerman: No need to apologise, don’t support either just one or two broken province supporters on the blog. Their pain has been apparent.

  • 212.Fern: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 17:42 pm

    #209 Staal:
    julle is uitverkoop is julle nie?

  • 213.shooter: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 17:43 pm

    #208 Sheriff: Dis waar, Sheriff, soms moet jy breek voor jy kan bou. Soos in ‘n tyd vir alles. om te kom en te GAAN.

  • 214.Staal: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 17:43 pm

    #212 Fern: baie baie naby uitverkoop – ek sal 1 vir jou uithou! Maar jy sal moet wikkel! :lol:

  • 215.The Rant Sniffer: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 17:44 pm

    It sucks that any SA talent gets lost. I dont care if the guy would never of played for the boks – the thing is i def dont want him playing against the boks either. I mean Bristol!!!!!!! what the hell went wrong? Peter Dixon is apparently turning up the heat this season at Bath by keeping the England Number 1 out the side. Classens is also being rated the best scrum half in the premiership. Butch is apparently a god in Bath at the moment nogal. While back home he gets slammed. I know people will say that they were 4th best(not Butch) in SA at least, but it just goes to show what good coaching, structures etc can bring out in players. We cannot afford to lose players – We need more money in the sport here. More clubs with exposure. etc – this has to stop.

  • 216.shooter: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 17:44 pm

    #207 Fern: Dis nie onmoontlik nie, ook nie ‘n Bul // Leeus finaal op Loftus nie.

  • 217.Fern: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 17:44 pm

    #214 Staal:
    ag nee nie nodig nie,ek sien iemand bou klaar op die stand wat ek like.

  • 218.Sheriff: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 17:45 pm

    #210 Fern:

    Saak is reg. Skop daai brieke sommer lekker hard dat die stof so staan.

    Hy moet die stof proe wanneer hy sy kop by die deur uitsteek.

    Ek self is op standby.

  • 219.Sheriff: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 17:46 pm

    #213 shooter:

    Netso, laat hulle daai boompie met wortel en tak mooi daar uittrek

  • 220.shooter: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 17:47 pm

    Wie ookal my post in 216 ge-report het, “you’re interfering with the ends of justice…” haha, I can see it happening.
    Ek speel liewer die Cheethas as die Leeus in die semi die jaar.

  • 221.Fern: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 17:47 pm

    #217 Sheriff:
    ons gaan sy gat so skop hy sal so n nugget smaak in sy bek kry.

  • 222.Sheriff: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 17:47 pm

    #215 The Rant Sniffer:

    Ons het te veel talent, laat hulle waai as hulle wil waai

  • 223.Fern: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 17:49 pm

    #221 Sheriff:
    ek glo die situasie in ons land is besig om tedraai en dat die anc credible oposisie gaan he oor 4 jaar.
    as die ouens wil waai laat hulle waai.
    die springboktrui sal altyd n allure he.

  • 224.The Rant Sniffer: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 17:49 pm

    #221 Sheriff: That logic reminds me of the guys in charge at WP rugby.

  • 225.crazy monkey: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 17:51 pm

    #188 jacoshark: Mate, he started off the bench because John Dobson and Robbie Fleck saw him as a fullback before the competition started.
    Just to be clear, we’re in agreement that it’s a loss. Matt is a player with a huge amount of potential and a great future ahead of him, but he wasn’t contracted by WP because they’re useless, not because they’re racist.

  • 226.shooter: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 17:51 pm

    #222 Sheriff: Kan WP nog die plaatfinaal maak?

  • 227.Sheriff: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 17:52 pm

    #222 Fern:

    Ja laat hulle waai en laat hulle terugkom as hulle wil terugkom

    Elke speler wil eendag sy land verteenwoordig. Dit bly die ultimate.

  • 228.Dorflingssj: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 17:52 pm

    Francois Hougaard, Stephan Dippenaar and Juandré Kruger are all Paul Roos oldboys, they didnt get a look in at WP, now they are forging careers for themselves at the Bulls. Where are the guys who the WP have bought?

  • 229.Sheriff: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 17:53 pm

    #223 The Rant Sniffer:

    Man ek is moeg vir sommige spelers wat voor hulle siele weet dat hulle 3de of 4de beste is wat wil ‘n bohaai opskop wanneer hulle waai.

    Ek voel vir hom, laat hy vir die Poms speel, ons sal hom kry in die toekoms en spesifiek aan sy kant gaan druk.

  • 230.crazy monkey: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 17:53 pm

    #194 The Rant Sniffer: Did you watch UCT play this year?

  • 231.blhoo: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 17:54 pm

    #224 crazy ******: I would beg to differ. I am sure his hue was part of it?

  • 232.Sheriff: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 17:54 pm

    #225 shooter:

    Oppas die trane kan nog vrylik vloei nie te ver van nou af nie. Begroot solank genoeg trane.

  • 233.pedspin: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 17:55 pm

    #223 The Rant Sniffer: #222 Fern: Precisely what many said when Pietersen left. How good he would have been at number 4 for SA.

  • 234.jacoshark: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 17:55 pm

    #224 crazy ******:
    i guess…
    just frustrates me cause from what ive seen from school level
    into club rugby, he’s dominated and embarrassed many od sa’s best young wingers
    and if you can say that turner wouldnt run circles around sampson, you’re mistaken

  • 235.Fern: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 17:56 pm

    #226 Sheriff:
    ja ons het probleme maar mense daar is positiewes in ons land:
    ons het nie die kak van die vsa se ekonomie nie
    moerse weer
    mooi land
    forken mooi dolle
    rwc trophy
    braaivleis
    biltong
    nice wildlife
    nelson mandela
    fern
    kwaliteit lewenstyl
    ek hou vol,as ons misdaad uitsorteer sal jy sien hoe kom mense terug en hoe imigreeer mense hiernatoe.
    op n stadium het die wereld se media ons nie n kans gegee nie en gese hier kom civil war…
    afrika bly in jou bloed,ek het dit nooit geglo nie tot ek op my eerste overseas vacation was.

  • 236.The Rant Sniffer: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 17:57 pm

    #224 crazy ******: Twu twu – there is something rotten at the WP headquarters – guys are being blinkered by the 50 buck notes stuck flapping on the side of their heads me thinks. Advance or die. Surely this must be a wake up call. Im not talking about losing Turner he is indeed replaceable in this country – thank god! Im talking about the revenue loss at not making the playoffs which in turn results in less money to buy good players next year etc.

  • 237.pedspin: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 17:57 pm

    #226 Sheriff: I only hope they come back.

  • 238.shooter: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 17:58 pm

    #233 Sheriff: Geen probleem. Ek weet nie hoe werk die site nie. Ek het vroeer genoem dat Leeus vs Bulle net so moontlik is soos Cheethas vs Sharks. Of dan, as dit moet, Leeus vs Cheethas.
    En ek voel jammer vir die WP ondersteuners. Dit het alles verkeerd geloop, met of sonder rede.

  • 239.Sheriff: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 17:59 pm

    #234 Fern:

    Ek stem.

    Net die misdaad, die res sal self in plek val as almal is terug is.

    Ek **** hulle praat van die ANCDF. Maar nou ja Fern, ek moet nou eers waai, maar darem nie land uit nie !

    CHEERS BOYS!

  • 240.Fern: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 18:00 pm

    #238 Sheriff:
    goed gaan

  • 241.Staal: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 18:00 pm

    #225 shooter: maak? maybe! wen is n ander ding!

  • 242.shooter: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 18:01 pm

    #242 Staal: Ja, dalk kom hulle te staan teen die Valke :shock: eina. Moet se’, die Valke het daai dag soos Tonga gespeel.

  • 243.crazy monkey: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 18:02 pm

    #235 The Rant Sniffer: Yep, WP are a shambles. The ultimate example of why amateur administrators shouldn’t be running a professional sports organisation.

  • 244.pedspin: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 18:02 pm

    #239 Fern: Laughed at you post especially the one about Fern! I think post 73 summarises my view also covers the good looking creatures too. Hell I hope the crime gets sorted…

  • 245.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 18:03 pm

    #215 The Rant Sniffer: Interestingly enough, those guys are playing under an Aussie coach

  • 246.Fern: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 18:06 pm

    #243 pedspin:
    I am very positive about this country.
    where in africa have you had a change of leadership and no bloodshed?
    look how our markets bounced back after trevor manuel’s “resignation”.
    we have a new minister of health who got emotional when speaking about the chance she has to adress hiv/aids and a anti-retroviral program.
    do you agree with my post?

  • 247.shooter: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 18:06 pm

    Maar ek sien GBS het die Problems se province uitgesort daar in #161. Koop net twee stuute, ‘n losskakel (Peter wie), en ‘n ekstra slot saam met Adriaan Fondse en Bekker.
    Oja, en ‘n enforcer wat nie Schalk is nie.
    En fire die hele old boys club.
    Dan weer, in die Kaap het alle klieks ontstaan. As jy wil in wees moet jy kliek.

    As WP se probleme een jaar was, kon mens dit verstaan, maar dis die afgelope paar jaar.

    Ek sal egter voortaan op die Bulle konsentreer. Ek dink daar is genoeg gerou op hierdie forum oor die afgelope 3 dae.

  • 248.crazy monkey: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 18:08 pm

    #230 blhoo: Look at the entire WP u-21 squad…their hue is very pale. #233 jacoshark: I’m a huge Matt Turner fan. Went to Bishops with my brother and they both played in that brilliant Bishops XI from 2006…I helped to get him, Kosie, Wes Chetty and a few other boys into Tin Roof when they were still under age! Marcelo Sampson is also a really good player as well. Like I said earlier, WP are just a mess.

  • 249.SpringbokSarah: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 18:21 pm

    AGIAN! Do you see why I’m so angry?! They let the perfectly good young guys go and buy a retarded 30 year-old flyhalf who dislocates his hip and AJ Venter who is probably older than some of the refs! And Hilton Useless Lobberts… ok Rassie hand over the cheque book and I’ll buy your players for you.

  • 250.pedspin: Reply to this comment
    6 Oct 2008, 18:24 pm

    #245 Fern: Don’t like commenting on politics since this is a rugby blog, however since you asked I am positive but think we will only see the fruits in a generation time. Only then will apartheid be a distant memory and excuse. Only then will few remember growing up apart. In a country with no real opposition and no real justice where half of parliament has some type on convection lots of change is still needed. I can’t wait until 15 black green or pink blokes run on the field and we look at them and see bokke not colours and they are picked purely because they are the best. Hopefully I will not be too older man when that happens.

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