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
Pages: [1] 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 » Show All
17 May 2011, 13:46 pm
less talk more play dragon…
17 May 2011, 13:54 pm
Good luck to him. I have forgiven his transgressions after a good 2009 and his overseas sabbatical. Lets give him a clean slate. If he delivers for the Kings then he may well be up for the Boks
17 May 2011, 13:55 pm
Wow, now Keo is milking it!
17 May 2011, 13:55 pm
I wonder who the ‘others’ are that Sheeke’ alleges influenced his son.
Playing the blame game. Taking no responsibility. He must have ambitions for a government post..
17 May 2011, 13:57 pm
Fark me… put finger down my throat again… there goes lunch…
17th May…Is this Puke Watson Day….?
17 May 2011, 13:58 pm
@Great White Shark(Predawn)-4: “Sheeke”
17 May 2011, 14:01 pm
interesting that Luke rates Lambie so high…..
17 May 2011, 14:02 pm
pity LW wont be available to a super 12 team next year
17 May 2011, 14:06 pm
s h i t another one.
17 May 2011, 14:07 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-5:
All you seem to do is puke and dump !!
You got issues ??
Want to lend my Sharks mug ??
17 May 2011, 14:11 pm
That’s three out of the last three stories posted. Jeez keo, don’t you think that’s a little transparent?
17 May 2011, 14:12 pm
and the HSM PR campaign is underway!
17 May 2011, 14:13 pm
Eish.
No comment.
17 May 2011, 14:14 pm
Sheez, HSM signes a contract with Luke Watson, and we have 4 threads about him in 1 day… This is ludicrous
17 May 2011, 14:15 pm
LW a lot better player than boody Spies…
17 May 2011, 14:16 pm
FFS! another twatson article, need kotch now.
luke shouldn’t even talk about the Boks, it’s a disgrace to have him speak of the Boks, mind you he hasn’t even got the talent to play for a CC team so dono what he’s on about the Boks for.
17 May 2011, 14:17 pm
FORGET SBW.
Luke is the word.
17 May 2011, 14:17 pm
@grant10(grant10)-15: ha ha keep dreaming grant. please change your nic to grantPCKing.
17 May 2011, 14:18 pm
Keo is earning his 20% today.
17 May 2011, 14:18 pm
Sarah’s gonna love this!
17 May 2011, 14:21 pm
Gotta leave now before I……
17 May 2011, 14:23 pm
This might explain the Luke love-in today:
http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Luke-Watson-signs-with-Keo-20110517
17 May 2011, 14:24 pm
On News24 by Tank Lanning…
“Questioned on any potential conflict of interest given that Watson just happens to be the poster and cover model for this month’s issue of SA Rugby magazine, HSM CEO Kevin Ferguson was confident in the belief that his editorial teams would pick covers and features based on servicing readers rather than any other potentially nefarious reasons.
Backing up their CEO were Commercial Director, and the man who will run the player management side of the business, Shane Keohane, brother to HSM Editorial Director, Mark Keohane, who were both at pains to stress that the two sides of the business would be kept very separate.”
So keo is a little nepotist too?
17 May 2011, 14:25 pm
Stick around, the next thread will be the annouuncement of a ‘Keep fit with Luke’ DVD. Available from all good stores.
17 May 2011, 14:27 pm
Emblem is still their, just on the sleeve.
17 May 2011, 14:27 pm
Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can’t moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours
Bwaahaahaa! Maybe we should regulate your articles. Keo has always been stupid and that made it fun, but this Luke thing is getting out of hand, and its only the first day!
17 May 2011, 14:28 pm
@JockBok(JockBok)-24: hahahahahahahaha
17 May 2011, 14:29 pm
I think the menu bar at the top (Super Rugby Springboks World Cup etc.) should have a Luke section too. That way all these articles can be dumped straight there and all the Justin Bieber fans can go and drool there.
17 May 2011, 14:29 pm
@JockBok(JockBok)-24: lol
17 May 2011, 14:29 pm
this is utterly shameless
17 May 2011, 14:29 pm
Did I just say Justin Bieber? You know what I meant.
17 May 2011, 14:31 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-28:
17 May 2011, 14:32 pm
He’d make a better coach then Divvy, but then again, who wouldn’t….
17 May 2011, 14:33 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-31: What’s a Justine Bieber?
17 May 2011, 14:34 pm
@HongKongSlong(HongKongSlong)-33: D.ick Muir…?
17 May 2011, 14:36 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-32</a
Did you query that acetone breath or can you confirm it? Remember it said those who have low calorie intake.
17 May 2011, 14:36 pm
@Stormersboy(stormersboy)-34: He’s this singer who’s really big amongst 13-year-old girls and Stormers supporters. Surprised you had to ask. Very uncool.
17 May 2011, 14:39 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-28:
17 May 2011, 14:42 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-37: Stormers supporters! Haha
17 May 2011, 14:42 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-37: Oh. I don’t have any 13 year old daughters. I have two young sons and they are partial to the offspring, green day et al.
No Justine Bieber.
17 May 2011, 14:42 pm
@ET.(ET.)-36: Shampoodle and his troop of warthogs high tailed outtahere… I reckon he tucked into his first KFC burger in a decade after your diagnosis…
17 May 2011, 14:43 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-37: Classic
17 May 2011, 14:49 pm
@Stormersboy(stormersboy)-40:
My 17 year old son and his band make their long awaited and highly anticipated international debut tonight at Wynberg Boys High. Covering the Pixies and the White Stripes.
The Cape is waaaayyyy to cool for Justin Bieber.
17 May 2011, 14:50 pm
@JockBok(JockBok)-43: Pixies? That’s impressive pedigree for a bunch of 17 year olds. He’s already got my vote.
17 May 2011, 14:51 pm
@JockBok(JockBok)-43: Pixies? Now we’re talking.
17 May 2011, 14:54 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-44: LOL
17 May 2011, 14:55 pm
@grant10(grant10)-15: At the moment so is about 10 other players G10
Johnson, Vermeulen, Alberts, Josh Strauss, Whiteley, all better than Spies, and Luke doesn’t even get close!!
To think you carry on about Plod, then back Luke?
This is the best!!+++
17 May 2011, 14:56 pm
keo = puke pimp
17 May 2011, 14:56 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-44: Oh, forgot. congrats on the win, good times they are a coming
17 May 2011, 14:57 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-44:
I’ve trained him well
Mind you, there was a bit of a shouting match between my son and the drummer yesterday about whether to do ‘Where is my mind’ or ‘Should i stay or should I go’ by the Clash. They can only do 2 songs and ‘Seven Nation Army’ is their best one he says, so that stays.
Apparently the drummer doesn’t think the chicks will ‘get’ the Pixies, and he doesn’t want to get labeled as a ‘tortured emo’
Pages: [1] 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 » Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.