Luke still has Bok ambition
17 May 2011
Luke Watson says he would be open to representing the Springboks again and believes they are in a stronger position than any other team to win the World Cup.
Watson was speaking in Cape Town en route to Port Elizabeth where he will commence duty with the EP Kings after two years at Bath in the Premiership.
He left South Africa in late 2009 having established a reputation for being outspoken on a range of issues, most notably representing the Springboks. At a dinner at University of Cape Town Rugby Club, he was alleged to have said, among other things, that he felt like vomiting on the Bok jersey when he debut in 2007 because of what it represented.
Although it was never confirmed that he said this, many of the senior Springboks, who had been vehemently opposed to his late inclusion in the 2007 World Cup training squad, used the claims to further justify their dislike and disregard for him.
Watson, whose father Cheeky was a prominent activist during the struggle years, intimated that his thinking and attitude at the time had been influenced by others. He, however, suggested that he returns a different person.
‘I grew up in a fundamentally different environment to most – every word was watched, every decision I made monitored,’ Watson told keo.co.za. ‘I remember being interviewed by CNN at the age of 10 and asked whether I support the Springboks. I said “yes”, but was quickly rapped over the knuckles by the powers that be because it wasn’t the correct thing to do politically.
‘I never really had an opportunity to establish my own identity and make my own decisions. These 18 months in Bath have been incredibly beneficial in that regard. It’s given me the opportunity to assess the things that I value.
‘It’s easy for me to sit here and tell you how mature I have become. But I can only hope that over the next few years you will notice that there are certain values and principles have have been altered. I’m still going to be the Luke Watson that speaks from my heart, not too worried about the consequences that come with the truth. I’m not going to shy away from any issues because of opposition I’ve received in the past.
‘Yes there are things that I still don’t agree with at a national and regional level. But if I do get the opportunity to represent my country again I will do so very proudly.’
Watson is unlikely to force his way into the Springbok World Cup squad, and never gave the impression that he expected to. But that didn’t stop him from sharing his views on where they stand at present.
‘As far as talent squad and depth goes, I don’t think any team can match the Springboks,’ he said. ‘If the All Blacks lose Dan Carter or Richie McCaw there are big, big holes to fill. We’re not in the same situation. Most of our players are very easily replaceable. We’re in a very strong position if the right team is selected and managed correctly.’
Watson added: ‘I’d like to see a couple of the youngsters who haven’t got an opportunity to play Test rugby get that chance before the World Cup. For example, for me it’s ridiculous that Duane Vermeulen hasn’t played any Tests. He has been the most consistent loose forward in the last two or three seasons of Super Rugby. Yes we have great loose forwards, but surely you have to find an opportunity somewhere for him.
‘Also, I’d like to see Pat Lambie play two or three Tests at 10. Peter Grant deserves an opportunity as well. We’ve seen what Morné Steyn can do, but we should go to the World Cup knowing that we have options in terms of playing different styles against different teams.’
The 27-year-old, who will compete with Eastern Province in the Currie Cup First Division and Vodacom Cup (in 2012) until the Kings’ entry into Super Rugby in 2013, said he wasn’t available to any other franchise in 2012.
Watson acknowledged the prevailing perception that he was taking a massive step backwards in his career, but explained the decision, saying: ‘I was in heaven in Bath, earning pounds and captaining the side. Life was easy. I could have stayed in Bath and taken comfortable, easy route. But I knew there was something greater that I could achieve.
‘I understand that people would look at the move from one of the top sides in Europe to playing Currie Cup First Division as a step down and a risk. But I look at the long-term potential of this decision, especially its ability to uplift a community and region. Sure there are a lot of things that are not ideal. But there are a lot more that are.
‘I really believe that the players and the resources are there for the Kings to be successful. It’s incredibly difficult to keep the talented players in the Eastern Cape without a Super Rugby franchise. The Kings solve that problem, although I appreciate that it will take time [to hold on to the region's best players].’
360 Comments
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18 May 2011, 21:38 pm
@Inevitable(Inevitable)-348: Thanks mate. Appreciate it.
Can’t let shampoodleshagger think he is has sole authority on bulldust….
18 May 2011, 21:44 pm
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-350: Jeez you talking twak about this “specialist no 6″ thing… SA does not typically employ classic blindside and open side flankers even at the time you mention: 04/05/06… Now you saying that Watson was the “best 6″ in the country… Okay, tell me Einstein, who were the “6′s” that were his inferior competition at that time…
18 May 2011, 21:49 pm
Go check who played in that 49-0 disaster and tell me who got fucked up like that and why?
Go check all the 2005 S14 games and who was the standout SA No.6… and no it was NOT S. Burger. In spite of what JW or IRB might have thought.
18 May 2011, 21:58 pm
Like Willievz correctly says its a poor comparison
One was a No.6 – LW
and the other wasn’t – SB
If these dumbfuck useless coaches sop riddled with ideological fear factors could get the stupefied sleep from out their dumbfucked eyes they would have seen at the time that there WAS a proper open side flank ready to step into the Bok frame ALONG with the other strengths available like SB and JS and JvN
But they preferred to simply CLOSE them and talk CR@P about beer fetching and the rest of the mind wobbling bullsh’t baffling brain stories to smoke screen themselves from the absolute obvious that they were victimizing and ostracizing a particular case for reasons plainly and utterly NON rugby related… big fat EGO protectionism related for sure.. cause the little dumbfuck idiot coach was too much of a jelly wobbling little insecure cn’t himself so he needed a whole fortress of cn’ts around him ALL believing that the man on the outside was a cancerous dangerous and undermining influence who will erode all his aggrandized fanny faced tricks he was hanging onto for his dear face saving life.
19 May 2011, 02:18 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-342:
Oi *** nut , don’t bring me into your sh it fight with everyone. You a low life bullshitting troll who does not like the truth.
Lets re-cap:
I highlighted the % Marori/PI prison population % v the total pop % on a trhread that was discussing that topic and then got branded a racist? Go figure
I tried to understand why most posts were anti SA and suggested maybe cause a Saffa shagged your wife? A bit low, but hey par for the course on this blog.
By the way, is she still giving out biscuits??
You know the saying, if it gets too hot……….faaark off
Idiot!
19 May 2011, 04:28 am
the reallity is. Luke will never wear Bok jersey again.
But I support his crusade to revive OP
The Elephants will rampage again!
19 May 2011, 10:03 am
@whatever(whatever)-355:
bottom-feeding pondlife
Its quite clear that you have very little respect for anyone but yourself. You have pyscholigical issues respecting women – cue repulsive accounts here of what you get up to with your ‘Kiwi girlfriend’ (of which Im sure she has no knowledge that you have shared with cyberspace). Big man huh. Brave huh. There have also been repeated references of explicit sexu@l nature about another mans wife, and mother of children. All from the safe sanctuary of your musty basement haven.
You also clearly have no respect for ethnic minorities, linking them as ‘criminals’ and think nothing of making sweeping generalisations with grotesque negative connotations. It was noticeable at the time that whilst quite happy to manufacture ‘racist’ accusations towards Poppa, you were unhappy when similar observations were made of yourself. Thats because you are clearly mentally immature.
You were given the opportunity to show that your behaviour here was ‘the norm’, or as you now say “if its too hot in the kitchen”, and only after failing to do so you then succumbed to the only method youre comfortable with – repeating the same accusations as you do now again.
You are scum. A piece of filth. Dog t’urd.
And always will be.
20 May 2011, 02:59 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-357:
You must actualy be very thick twat face!
I have made no racist comments on this blog ever……….and I’ve been here awhile.
Read my comments in the context of the convesation that was taking place you idiot. It’s basic educational stuff. The context of the thread was the contribution of Maori/PI’s to NZ, both positive and negative. My quote, was a quote taken from a minister in the NZ Parliament. It was relevant to the thread! Do I really have to explain this to you you thick dooooos?
The reference to your wife has been explained ad naseu. Get off your high horse and grow a pair. You come across all fekking holier than thou when it suits. Real small man syndrome stuff.
You are a fekking dooooos of epic proprtions and always will be and you never answered my question? Your wife still giving out biscuits?
20 May 2011, 03:42 am
Now controversial former Stormers skipper Luke Watson has seriously questioned the Super 15 structure, arguing that Australian teams have been given an unfair leg-up.
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/watson-adds-to-sneers-at-australian-schoolboys-20110519-1euzy.html
20 May 2011, 08:52 am
@whatever(whatever)-358:
S C U M
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