SA Rugby mag on sale today
SA Rugby magazine has again produced four regional covers for their new 124-page issue.
Stormers flank Luke Watson, who appears on the cover of the magazine’s Western Cape edition, believes Jake White will select him to play for the Springboks.
White has never rated Watson and insists he can’t play in the same loose trio as Schalk Burger. In the new SA Rugby magazine, Watson says he would not let the Boks down. “If I had to play a Test tomorrow, I’m confident I’d do well,” he said.
In the same issue, Bulls centre Wynand Olivier, who’s on the cover of the Gauteng edition, expresses his desire to play 50 Tests for the Springboks. “To get a Test cap is easy, but to stay there is far more difficult. I definitely don’t want to be a one-Test wonder.”
Olivier also discusses the death of Ettienne Botha, and admits he would give up all his rugby success if it would bring back his friend.
On the cover of the KwaZulu-Natal edition is AJ Venter, who explains why captaincy has mellowed him. The Sharks’ loosie also reveals whether or not he plans to stick around for the World Cup.
Meyer Bosman’s performances in the Super 14 have justified his Bok selection last year. Our Free State cover star tells us why the southern hemisphere competition has improved his game.
Alas, the Circus Cats have not done enough to crack a cover this month, but we have a six-page special report on the Jozi franchise and check out Andre Pretorius’s cool crib.
Also in the new issue:
- David Campese on SA’s backs
- Nick Mallett on the sorry Stormers
- Akona & Odwa Ndungane
- Selborne Boome
- Stuart Abbott
- Shaun Pollock’s Dream XV
- SA U21 prop Heinke van der Merwe
- All Black centre debate
- Wallaby scrumhalf debate
- Columns from Schalk, Naas and Mallett
- Crossword
- Keo’s Killer Quiz
- Gary Gold’s coaching tips
- Faan & Daan
- Free Bryan Habana and Schalk Burger poster
124 pages for just R18.95!
April 20th, 2006 at 6:16 am
i don’t know, luke. jake doesn’t like to be told who he has to pick. i’d say that is exactly why you won’t get picked.
April 20th, 2006 at 6:59 am
Ja Luke… jy het lekker geshine teen die Force (ek sal ook ten to one). Jy sal ‘n paar manne eers moet lig en dan is daar ook a paar nuwe manne wat ook al klaar beter speel as jy. Jacques Botes comes to mind. Geluk Wynie jy is op die voorblad!
April 20th, 2006 at 7:23 am
If anyone from the Stormers is picked by Jake, LW must be first in line.
April 20th, 2006 at 7:31 am
who is luke watson? he one of the clowns wearing the black jersey hahahaha
April 20th, 2006 at 7:58 am
Luke is a great player in his own right – BUT . Does he fit into the pattern that White Jake wishes to play – herein lies the rub . White Jake wants big , fit and mobile men . Luke has immense leg strength , but not enuf bulk nor height .
Yesterday I said on one of the posts that White Jake ought to consider Floors , but nobody took the bait.
Both Floors and Watson are similar and it could be reasonably anticipated that if Floors was selected ahead of Watson , the decision would be regarded as politicallly expedient . Watson is the better player .
Given Dan Retief’s well chosen turn of phrase yesterday , that rugby is a series of confrontations , at which you need to have more players competing and winning , than your oppo contesting – for 80 minutes , the best I can see for small men of Luke or Floors’ stature , is an impact / last 15 minutes role .
Sad , but fact . The game of possession usually arises from ball won by the big guys and given to the speedsters to get the points . White Jake wants the best of both worlds – similar to a cricketing all rounder – and there’s nothing wrong with that !!
Gotta get out of here before the mlungu / witou gets in to use his computer .
April 20th, 2006 at 8:10 am
Luke must be chosen but please don’t hold your breath.
April 20th, 2006 at 8:29 am
Did someone win the last Keo’s Killer quiz?
April 20th, 2006 at 8:31 am
Jake’s got it bit wrong there SHAKA.
The best open-side flankers in the world are and weren’t big bulky men. Let’s look at the facts.
Schalk Burger is not an openside flanker. He doesn’t play like one.
Some comparitive statistics.
Richie Mccaw: Height – 1.88m, Weight 105kg
George Smith: Height – 1.80m, Weight – 104kg
Phil Waugh: Height – 1.75, Weight – 100kg
Josh Kronfeld: Height – 1.84m, Weight – 102kg
Corne Krige: Height – 1.90, Weight – 106kg
Neil Back: Height 1.78m, Weight – 92.4kg
Luke Watson: – Height 1.84m, Weight – 98kg
These weren’t big bulky line-out options.
April 20th, 2006 at 8:33 am
They are all more or less the same stature.
April 20th, 2006 at 8:36 am
good luck to luke hope he makes the bok squad!
jake wants to rotate players up to the world cup perfect time to pick luke then!
April 20th, 2006 at 8:56 am
Luke
If you really wanted the Bok blazer that badly you should never have left the Sharks. If you were still playing with the Sharks team you would be impressing everyone and your Springbok call up would be imminent. Sadly, with the bunch of palookas you are currently with I think you should not hold your breath.
And to think you joined the Stormers coz you thought you had a better chance of winning some silverware.
April 20th, 2006 at 9:13 am
Does Luke actually say “Jake will pick me” or is that just spin?
April 20th, 2006 at 9:15 am
wish-full thinking luke
April 20th, 2006 at 9:36 am
Luke is one of the very few SA loose forwards who would be good enough to make a NZ S14 team.
April 20th, 2006 at 9:52 am
Note to any coaches reading this mag in SA: Skip Gary Gold’s coaching tips!
April 20th, 2006 at 9:53 am
I have been pumping this Luke Watson lad for the past three years! – Nkanunu Mexted.
April 20th, 2006 at 10:00 am
1. Luke’s bigest problem is that he can play briliant one week and bad the next one. When he starts producing consistent good performances I believe even JW would have consider him for bok at least as sub to Burger if he doesn’t see them playing together.
2. What the nonsence about Bossman playing better? He had one good game against Stormers and in the rest he was badly exposed.
April 20th, 2006 at 10:10 am
Um have I missed something here, exactly how many good games has Luke had this season…?
Good player thats for sure, Bok material I’m afraid not.
April 20th, 2006 at 10:14 am
I don’t think Lukes that good and I don’t think Jake likes him either. There’s a lot of players Jake would pick at 6 before him, Solly, Cronje Wannenburg even van Heerden.
Jakes going for a big no.6, well at least he has in the past, I don’t think Luke fits into his gameplan.
April 20th, 2006 at 10:40 am
yip, Brad i think you’re right, would be surprised if Watson gets a call-up this year.
April 20th, 2006 at 10:42 am
There are just to many talented loosies ahead of him in the pecking order.
April 20th, 2006 at 10:51 am
Luke, left the Sharks with a bad attitude.
He felt he had a better chance of becoming a Springbok down south.
April 20th, 2006 at 11:09 am
good point about bosman, ciccino
April 20th, 2006 at 11:14 am
The reason why Jake may not pick Luke is one of the main reasons why SA teams are playing such stagnant rugby. A DUMB obsession with size.
And the obsession remains despite it being obvious to many of us overseas just what the problem is. Come on SA rugby brainstrust. WAKE UP.
April 20th, 2006 at 11:14 am
i think watson is one hell of an arrogant guy, he left the sharks for province to show jake he could play in the same loose trio as van niekerk and burger…that backfired, they never got the game time and when they did they didn’t seem to click.
he talked a huge game last year….he didn’t deliver on the field.
he has been performing this year but to pick luke at openside would jake leave out burger, and before burger there is a pecking order of flankers who have proved themselves to white.
when luke was in the u21’s with white, white made the suggestion of luke swtiching to hooker (because of his lack of height – white likes options in his lineout) and luke basically told him to piss off.
watson has an attitude problem and a big mouth.
i don’t dispute that he is a good player, and he is also a great leader but he needs to put the attitude aside and focus on his game.
April 20th, 2006 at 11:14 am
One of the main reasons Watson has’nt been picked before is cause of his mouth, this won’t help his cause.
April 20th, 2006 at 11:16 am
ill pick luke in my team anyday BUT i dont select the bok team JW does so i feel sorry for luke…
April 20th, 2006 at 11:21 am
I’ve said it before, the day JW picks him I’ll be surprised.
April 20th, 2006 at 11:26 am
Schalk is Jakes 1st choice 6, and Big Joe is his second. Luke will get picked only if Schalk gets injured in the next 3 games, or Big Joe breaks down again.
Guys competing for the 7/8 slot are – Cronje, Wannenberg, AJ, Juan, van Heerden and of course Joe who can play 6, 7 and 8 – hence Jake will always pick him. Danie Rossouw will also be utility forward.
April 20th, 2006 at 11:27 am
Besides his big mouth Jake wants a big and physical no.6 to get to the breakdown and 1) slow the ball down (obviously) and 2) commit opposition players to the ruck to drive the man off the ball. Schalk does this well, he has the physical strength to stand over the ruck – on his feet – and force 2 or 3 players to the ruck to push him off.
Sorry but I can’t see Luke doing that…
April 20th, 2006 at 12:12 pm
Guys
Watson will not get chosen.
JW has how many current Springbok flanks.
Pedrie, J Cronje, Danie Rossouw, Schalk, Juan.
He loves consistency. Things wont change and this is why we will see the majority of the Stormers backline back in the Boks.
April 20th, 2006 at 12:30 pm
yes Munkiboi,
think that about right, whats interesting tho is that I see wickus has been moved to 6 for the Cats after JW’s involvement.
Might be a good move, Wickus workrate is phenomenal, and he’s a good leader, but not the size and impact JW wants for a test 7. Think JW’s 7 are AJ, Smit, Cronje or Rossouw.
April 20th, 2006 at 12:36 pm
If the Boks were to play the All Blacks at some hastily prepared Freedom Day celebration next week, would you play Watson or not?
April 20th, 2006 at 1:18 pm
Come on, Luke is very talented and has had a few very good games, but so what? Botes for me has been the guy really lighting up the park, and he is a similar player to Luke, but even though I am a Shark supporter, I would be surprised if he was in the mix this year. One good season is not enough (De Waal, Steyn, Grant, etc), and we have plenty of good loosies. Anyway, which of the current boys (bar perhaps Cronje)deserves to be dropped? And its not just his size or Jakes faith in his present crop keeping him out, so lets not criticise Jake if Luke is not picked.
April 20th, 2006 at 3:26 pm
luke play for the chockers … white loves his boys from the ermmmm mountain
April 20th, 2006 at 6:00 pm
It’s simple, Jake basically knows his squad and unless a few guys get injured, watson will not play. it’s sad but true. he doesn fit into the game plan, like brent russel. and would you choice him over sowerby? who would come in 8 and perhaps shift Van niekerk to 7, you never know what jakes got in mind.
April 20th, 2006 at 6:58 pm
The issue with Luke’s Boks aspirations are that at this point in time the Open Side flank hasalready pencilled as a quota stronghold, you’ll see clowns such as Solly, Dulane and to a certain extent Kabamba Floors being ‘Boks’ long before Luke, this is the new SA reality and got nothing to do with Luke’s rugby game!
He would be better off if sat out his WP contract and then went on to play in Oz!
April 21st, 2006 at 4:23 am
Watson deserves a place in the Bok squad. If Jake does not pick him then its obviously for personal reasons and pretty petty if you ask me.
April 21st, 2006 at 4:27 am
At least pick him ahead of the bumbling Roussow who can’t even catch a ball and always loses it in contact.
April 21st, 2006 at 8:25 am
Watson is like Andrew Hudson.
One good game in 2 years against the force and now JW MUST pick him?
April 21st, 2006 at 7:28 pm
Again, the Lions are denied a cover. Why??? And don’t tell me it’s because the Cats are ****. The Stormers are too, even if they beat the Reds.
April 21st, 2006 at 7:38 pm
Ok, so you mentioned about the crappy Cats but I’m still right about the Stormers…
April 22nd, 2006 at 10:15 am
He is a good player so why not add him to our team — it can only benefit us!
April 24th, 2006 at 11:14 am
Luke Watson is playing better rugby than any other loosy in S.A (except maybe Juan Smith)and I hope that he gets picked for the springboks. Jake White said he’s looking for an adjudant for Schalk, well, luke’s your man. Solly ain’t up to it and please, show me a better fetcher flank than luke. The Guy is in the same class as Wickus Van Heerden – he gives everything everytime. I’m a big fan, last season he was horrible but he has turned it around and without him the stormers wouldn’t even have won one match.
April 24th, 2006 at 1:01 pm
any idea of how to get the magazine over in england as gary lemke seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth.
April 24th, 2006 at 9:50 pm
what do i have to do to get the meyer mag if I’m in Cape Town?
April 25th, 2006 at 12:43 pm
Went to buy the mag last night at CNA and it wasn’t on the shelves! Why you guys gotta tease us? I want a free issue for this disapointment.
May 10th, 2006 at 10:32 am
ebay addict, i dont know. i emailed him te other day aswell about my mag and got no response.
i want my MAG!!!!