Baby steps for Watson
12 May 2007
Luke Watson may not play for the Springboks this year, but Kobus van der Merwe sees his selection for the training squad as a vital first step.
Watson inclusion was the biggest surprise when the training squad was announced, and it has become known that he is the 46th name on a 45-name list. What it took to get Jake White to reconsider his position on Watson is yet to be discovered, and it may be that Watson does not feature at all for the Boks in 2007.
However, his regional coach believes this is but the beginning. Van der Merwe told Keo.co.za Watson’s selection is a sign of progress.
“I always felt that the Springbok team should be selected on form, and if that is the case that Luke should definitely be there. He’s had a good season last year and an even better one in 2007.
“I’m not sure what will happen from here, but at least he has his foot in the door. He’s been banging on it for so long and now he is getting an opportunity. That is what’s important.
“No matter what happens, you can’t keep a good man down.”
Van der Merwe handed Watson the Stormers captaincy after the opensider had lead Western Province in the Currie Cup. Leadership has aided Watson’s game, and the Stormers coach pointed out this will be a valuable attribute at the highest level.
“It was a tough call to make such a young guy captain, but he has really grown into the role. I think he’s learnt a lot this year and has become more confident to throw the ball around a bit more.”
Watson was made South Africa’s Super 14 Player of the Tournament in 2006, and was also nominated for the Player’s Player of the Year, and most notably for the South African Player of the Year.
“I can’t speak for the selectors, but there were a few surprises where players who have not played much rugby were being given a place. Luke has done consistently well and that is why I am ecstatic that he finally has a chance.”
By Jon Cardinelli
17 Comments
12 May 2007, 20:33 pm
****** by tyd
12 May 2007, 20:41 pm
Where’s Ryan Kankowski?
12 May 2007, 20:51 pm
Typo in the last paragraph JC. “” a double inverted comma…
12 May 2007, 20:52 pm
Great for Luke – he is the one of the players who deserves a place in the squad on merit. He will unfortunately fall away once the cut is made. Thanks Zola for your input – at least there is one person in SARFU that believes in Luke.
13 May 2007, 05:36 am
Luke the future bok captain!
13 May 2007, 05:42 am
‘Luke finally’ makes you think. read aussieboer com It’s just a pitty that he might not be picked this year or will he? Injuries could happen and then at least Jake can’t use the excuse that Luke doesn’t know the boks set up and moves etc. Luke will be a bok before the end of season!
13 May 2007, 09:21 am
We don’t need Watsom, spies, van niekerk and schalk…he is too short to be lock
13 May 2007, 11:47 am
The following “quota†players fully deserve to be in the training camp. They stand up agaisnt the best and have no equals in South Africa:
Forwards
Kabamba Floors
Gurthro Steenkamp
Backs:
Bevin Fortuin
Bryan Habana
Waylon Murray
Akona Ndungane
Wayne Julies
JP Pietersen
Odwa Ndungane
Ricky Januarie
The following “quota†players are there because
of the fucked up political set up in South Africa. They should have the courage of their own convictions and say no we do not want to be part of this political farce:
Forwards:
Eddie Andrews
Luke Watson
Backs:
Tonderai Chavhanga
Breyton Paulse
Ashwin Willemse
13 May 2007, 12:57 pm
Dooster you are living up to your name.
Luke Watson fully deserves to be there, along with Breyton. Luke has shown himself to be at least one of the best flankers in SA – just look at the stats. And Breyton- how do you just abandon that much experience and the ability to read games? Think a bit man…
Tonderai and Ashwin need to show they are capable of handling it. Maybe Jake will use them in the pool games. Ashwin could handle, but that was way long ago… I have not seen any form recently. then again, class is forever…
Is Solly Tyibilika in the squad? if so that is a complete miscarriage of justice, and he is taking Hougaard’s place in the squad…
13 May 2007, 13:42 pm
No SjamBok Solly is not in the squad – rumours that he will be named in the “up and coming” bok squad to tour Europe.
13 May 2007, 17:32 pm
dooster, dooster, dooster. you are a sad and silly muppit. now wake up and get to know the game before posting on a rugga site again, ok?
13 May 2007, 18:20 pm
Johnny
Agreed
Here are some players better than the players you mentioned Dooster:
Kabamba Floors: Luke Watson, Jacques Botes, Schalk Burger (all fetchers)
Gurthro Steenkamp: The one non-white player who perhaps is the best. Os has more experience though.
Bevin Fortuin: Percy and Steyn
Bryan Habana: No argument, he is the best wing in the country.
Waylon Murray: Got talent, but very young and raw. Fourie is class.
Akona: Perhaps. No one clearly better but right wing is a weak spot in the bok setup, same goes for Pieterson, he’s got loads of talent but also loads of rough edges.
Wayne Julies: Jean De Villiers, Brad Barritt and even De Wet. Julies is ****.
Odwa: Better than his brother, my second choice for 14 behind pieterson.
Ricky January: Please. Fourie Du Preez, Ruan Pienaar, JP Joubert, Rory Kockott, all better than him, he’s pathetic, can’t even pass properly to the left, please man.
13 May 2007, 18:21 pm
Dooster
By the way, Luke Watson is probably the most talented rugby player we have in the country, his only problem is in his head.
13 May 2007, 21:53 pm
Fluke’s head is hugely over-supplied with mouth and heavily under-stocked with brain. That’s a very heavy drawback.
14 May 2007, 00:09 am
Tackler, the same can be said about YOU !
14 May 2007, 09:16 am
Here is my top players that should be dropped from this squad before getting any sponsored clothing
Forwards – Eddie Andrews, Bob Skinstad,Kabamba Floors,Luke Watson.
Backs – Tonderai Chavhanga,Bevin Fortuin,Ashwin Willemse, Breyton Paulse
Out of these the best player was Luke but I believe other were better in his position
14 May 2007, 10:09 am
How about leaving the political **** out for one minute?
Luke is a class player. He does deserve to be there.
The NZ and Oz S14 coaches rate him very very highly, as they do of De Wet Barry.
The rest of the world (excluding some of the Sharks and Bulls bloggers!!)actually are very keen to see him prosper in the green & gold. There are no air’s and graces about him. His an all-out attacking flank, that just happened to be picked as cpt of the Stormers.
Eddie didnt do anything,neither did Tonderai,nor Bevan.Breytie should go along purely on a working holiday. He’s been to the WC twice before, and could very well assist with his experience/consulting. He doesnt deserve to be there as a player.
Ashwin is a risky choice.One more knock on the ACL’s, and it’s curtains!What a disruption it would be to the bok squad, as Jake’s plan def revolves around him in some or other way.
Liefling should be there tho. He should be taught how to tackle,and how to punch like a man.
However, he is best suited to the conditions most likely at the Stade Francias ie: rain, heavy underfoot where a slow tactical game is normally required.
Bob will go. Gaurenteed. Jake definately lured him back for the WC.
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