In Black and White
11 Nov 2007
Jake White, in his autobiography ‘In Black and White’ confirms that Luke Watson was never wanted by the Bok players.
Watson has never been initiated as a Bok player and White holds back nothing in detailing the circumstances that forced him to select Watson for one test against Samoa.
The Rapport Newspaper and Sunday Times newspaper brought exclusivity to the extracts of the book, due for release next week, and Rapport focused mostly on the Watson affair.
Both newspapers also detailed the prominent chapters in the book with White discussing political interference, transformation, player selection, the hell of 2006, the media’s role in South African rugby, the dislike for playing at Loftus among players outside of the Bulls, his relationship with John Smit and Victor Matfield, among others, and the political minefield that dogged his four year tenure.
He insists that Watson simply was never good enough and that the Watson family tried to broker a deal with him to include Luke as a Bok and be secured a future in South African rugby.
White writes his biggest regret is not beating the All Blacks in New Zealand and that would have been his greatest motivation to continue as Bok coach.
607 Comments
Pages: « 1 2 [3] 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 … 13 » Show All
11 Nov 2007, 12:03 pm
RUCK I LIKE THE COMMENT OF #53
Thank you ruck, proves my point again that the pretoria crowd is STUPID “finish and klaar”
11 Nov 2007, 12:05 pm
# 58 Grey High in PE
11 Nov 2007, 12:05 pm
Ruck
Don’t flatter yourself. As a recent addition to this site you’re a breath of fresh air, and interesting to engage in some verbal sparring with when I’m so inclined, but that’s about as far as it goes.
Bhupendra
Now THAT is an intersting take on things. Jake and Vic have a bad relationship? I thought the article implied that Jake had a GOOD relationship with Victor. If not, I definitely need to read more about it.
11 Nov 2007, 12:06 pm
94
Its an odd thing for sure. A big tough Samoan wearing eyeliner.
lol, I take it you’re not a fan of Charlotte Church.
On a rugby level, I never understood the big deal about Gavin Henson. He can pass, has a big boot and can make decent tackles but the hype of his celebrity is in nowhere near being justified by his level of ability shown on the field.
Gatland will have problems with him just like every other coach. The Welsh public need to accept that he brings more negatives with him than positives.
11 Nov 2007, 12:09 pm
Tacticus of course if it is true that Jake had a bad relationship with Vic then surely Jake was in the wrong right? RIGHT??? Or could Vic have though maybe he was better than the Coach? Of course this could all be a rumour…
11 Nov 2007, 12:10 pm
Percy dyes his hair? what the heck is wrong with these guys.
Henson, Percy, Nonu. Any other fairys to add to the list?
11 Nov 2007, 12:10 pm
Bagel
Why don’t we wait and see what the FACTS are before jumping to any premature conclusions. How about that?
11 Nov 2007, 12:12 pm
103…
Don’t flatter yourself. As a recent addition to this site you’re a breath of fresh air, and interesting to engage in some verbal sparring with when I’m so inclined, but that’s about as far as it goes.
Dude, you met your match in a chick…
That must hurt you bad…..
11 Nov 2007, 12:12 pm
106,
Jonny “I wish I knew how to quit you” Wilkinson.
11 Nov 2007, 12:13 pm
FINAL COMMENT – before I go and do some ironing…..LOL.
Tactitus, My husband is Afrikaans (From an old Tulbagh farming family – conservative as the past). I am from an English/Irish/Jewish family, as liberal as they come. My niece, adopted at 2 months old by my sister, is a little princess of colour. The point I am making:
1. Don’t accuse me of being anti-Afrikaner culture – I married into it, and have funnily enough managed to “loosen” the family up, whilst respecting their culture.
2. I am a forward thinking liberal – which means the term narrow minded never has and never will feature in my thinking
3. My family TRULY is a Rainbow nation in its own right…….AND IT WORKS.
Accuse me then of many things, but NOT of being alientated from THE TRUE South African perspective, because I live it EVERYDAY.
11 Nov 2007, 12:13 pm
#93, Doctor Ruck,
LOL.
Bagel,
Sounds good to me. I always thought that if “The Genie” gave me several wishes, I would take in a Test Match at Kings Park. This would be my pick of any Rugby Venue in the world.
Of course I have only watched on TV.
My International list of preferences would be:-
- Kings Park.
- Millennium Stadium (Cardiff)
- Marseilles (having just watched a WC match there)
- Mewlands.
- Telstra Stadium (Brisbane).
- Murrayfield
11 Nov 2007, 12:13 pm
Why should the opinions of players influence the selection of any other player? If Watson or any other player is deemed to be good enough by the selectors, the players just have to like it or lump it. The national team is not a frat society or Old Boys’ Club.
11 Nov 2007, 12:14 pm
As I said Tacticus probably a rumour… Vic is far to conservative to have an opinion on anything.
11 Nov 2007, 12:14 pm
106… Big Vic’s designer stubble?????
11 Nov 2007, 12:14 pm
But anyway long live South African Rugby!!!!
11 Nov 2007, 12:15 pm
In fairness, Percy might’ve went grey after his humiliating debut defeat to the British Lions
11 Nov 2007, 12:15 pm
#111 – No Twickenham?????
11 Nov 2007, 12:15 pm
Ruck what you just said won’t make sense to Tacticus. Rainbow Nation? Adoption of a child of Colour?
11 Nov 2007, 12:18 pm
Tacitus
Remember a few years ago Jake sent back Victor on the pre-text that he was injured, but Victor played for the bulls the same weekend. Thats when I knew something was fishy.
If you noticed, Jake does not praise Victor alot, he is always going on and on about Smit, Monty, Habana, De Villiers etc but he does not say much about Vic, and it becomes more obviously when you realize that Victor is a superstar and one of the best players in the world!! And I am not just talking about Victors jumping skills.
I think they respected each other but privately they would rather not be together, they just got on with the job in my view.
Thats what I think, but I guess we will just have to read the Book to confirm
11 Nov 2007, 12:19 pm
#116 – Gaffie du Toit is sporting new highlights. Didn’t you watch the Toulouse game last night??
He is looking decidedly French is old Gaffie.
11 Nov 2007, 12:20 pm
Ruck
Thanks for the lowdown on your family history. One question though:
Why share all of this on a rugby blog open to the public? The key to posting on a blog like this is to NEVER get personally involved. You are not Ruck, and I am not Tacitus.
Those are just nicks we chose on Keo.
You, however, are running the risk of letting your personal details spill over onto the blog.
Well done on your Tulbagh family, Rainbow adoptee and Irish/Jewish heritage. But that doesn’t affect the fortunes of the Stormers rugby team one little bit come February 16.
Try to keep the discussion relevent to the forum, if you can.
11 Nov 2007, 12:20 pm
As for the change round in England’s performance levels between the final and that disastrous pool match, James has a good story about that. [Telegraph]
“There was more chat in the pool fixture than the final. I do remember Mark Regan [who had toured South Africa in the summer before the World Cup with England's third string] eyeing up Bakkies Botha at the first scrum. ‘I’m back and I’ve brought my big mates with me,’ Regan growled. Bakkies particularly enjoyed that remark but in the final there wasn’t much going on verbally. That night England let their rugby do the talking for them.”
11 Nov 2007, 12:21 pm
I always thought that Gavin Henson was a “person of colour”, then found out he used fake tan.
I warned Andrew Feinstein at the start of his arms deal investigation that the consequentialist ethic of the ANC would never allow him to get to the truth. His reply to me was that he only wanted to get to the truth. So I’m not surprised that he resigned as an MP. Now he’s upset former friends with his book, like Jake White and other sportsmen have also done with theirs. People don;t like having their private conversations exposed to the world.
11 Nov 2007, 12:27 pm
#111
Telstra Stadium is in Sydney, Cane, and Telstra Dome is in Melbourne. Good choice on Kings Park. On game days one of yhe hugest bbq’s anywhere !! (about 12 rugby fields all around the stadium).
11 Nov 2007, 12:27 pm
Ruck,
The Welshmen is Gavin Henson (a centre) and he dates/or was dating, a “Pop” diva called I think Charlotte (rhymes with harlot) Church.
But this could be old gossip by now.
Gavin does everything Percy and Ma do …….and then some. He goes beyond brave.
Gavin loves Charlotte,
Gavin loves Wales,
Gavin loves rugby,
Gavin loves fashion,
but most of all…….yeah most of all…..Gavin loves Gavin.
11 Nov 2007, 12:30 pm
Ruck,
Gaffie’s [unknown] father was one of the French players on the 1975 tour to South Africa. He should do well in France.
11 Nov 2007, 12:31 pm
#121 – I have no fear of “spilling” over personal details dude. Find me if you want to, you’re still going to have a hard time. I am putting into perspective, the debate started on Friday, with poor old Katman taking the most stick…..
Todays continuation is based on the Loftus “conservative” mindset, that seems to be highlighted everytime someone from up there posts.
I am showing you, (or trying to at least) what a REAL South African perspective is, you seem to think the only real SA perspective worthy of comment, is the one that lives north of the Jukskei. The reality is so much more than that Tact – and thats what I deal in: REALITY.
If to motivate my “thinking”, I have to divulge some “Personal information”, so be it. Thats what those of us with NOTHING TO HIDE do.
So what, now you or some other freak tracks me down, through the titbits I’ve given here??
NOT LIKELY….
11 Nov 2007, 12:33 pm
Gaffie du Toit!
A man I was told back in 1998 would be the next Naas Botha!! And it never happened!! What a waste of talent!!
Frans Steyn is gona be a great!
11 Nov 2007, 12:34 pm
Gavin is now a father at the grand old age of 25
11 Nov 2007, 12:34 pm
Gavin Henson was God for a while too. Now he’s a daddy…
11 Nov 2007, 12:35 pm
#106 Big Hit,
At any given time half the English backline.
11 Nov 2007, 12:37 pm
Ruck
No worries Ruck. You’re safe from me. Although I can’t speak on behalf of anyone else. There are after all, some real freaks on this blog.
11 Nov 2007, 12:39 pm
131
Well, the other half is going to be filled by Lesley Vainikolo in the not to distant future, so I think we’ll be just fine.
11 Nov 2007, 12:41 pm
Outwide #111.
Help me out here!
I have driven past the “New” Brisbane Test venue but obviously I’m too thick to read the signage.
11 Nov 2007, 12:43 pm
Ruck/Tacitus
I’d definitely like to have a cup of tea with you both, when I come over to South Africa one day!
Until then its goeie naand!
11 Nov 2007, 12:45 pm
The Reds play a Ballymore and the tests in Brisbane are usually at Suncorp Stadium. I think.
11 Nov 2007, 12:49 pm
#Cane
The Reds actually play at Suncorp too since 2005. Was originally known as Lang Park.
11 Nov 2007, 12:49 pm
The truth is, when I watch matches from Loftus on tv and the stadium is packed with fans for either a Bull or Bok game, my heart beats faster!! Its a bull ring indeed! I can imagine it but have never experience it!! Opposition players and supporters must cop and earful though! But Loftus is a ground every rugbyplayers wants to play on at least once in his life!
A shame that the great Ellis Park has not experienced a full house for a test in a long time!
11 Nov 2007, 12:52 pm
Solanky,
If you invited me it would be a 4-some.
I have never been to SA, but I think Stellenbosh sounds like a nice place for a Kiwi, a Fijian, a Bulls fan and Weepee to have a cup of tea…….and a gingernut.
Do they have gingernuts in SA?
(a ginger flavoured biscuit….very hard, best dunked in a cup of tea before being consumed.
11 Nov 2007, 12:56 pm
Outwide.
Thanks……….The home of the Bronco’s…….and the Reds.
11 Nov 2007, 12:57 pm
Cane
Indeed, Stellenbosch sounds good! But I was thinking of somewhere under the shadows of the Table Mountain!! Maybe a few glasses of that famous Nederberg wine and some kaas (cheese)!Or is there something better tasting!!
11 Nov 2007, 13:05 pm
Solanky,
You could bring some Carva.(spelling)
Tacitus some humility,
Ruck some fine SA Sav Blanc,
Outwide some Queensland Prawns,
Big Hit some Real Ale,
I will bring a packet of M&M’s.
11 Nov 2007, 13:06 pm
Tacitus
“You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”
11 Nov 2007, 13:08 pm
#141 – Loads better tasting dude. Thats why Stellies is the place to meet…
Tacitus – coming to think of it – It seems as though “Tacitus” is some sort of alter ego thing for you. You seem to be able to split you real self from your alter (in fact you tried to explain it to me in that post where you lashed at me for divulging personal info….)
My nick is Ruck, but Ruck IS NOT an alter ego of the real me. Ruck speaks my thoughts, opinions and lives MY realities, so Ruck is basically ME (just in drag if you wish)…..
YOU seem to give “Tacitus” a life of its own – separate from the REAL you…….or am I mistaken??
Anyways Tacitus, I have no fear of any of the “freaks”. In my professional opinion, most of them seem to be from UP NORTH…and should one of them track me down, I just have to wave my Bobby/Percy poster in their faces – and poof, gone. Or as an alternative method of defence against the freaks, I could mention the number of times WP have won the Currie Cup since its inception……..GONE.
I hope to meet you one day Tacitus….but I doubt you share that sentiment.
11 Nov 2007, 13:18 pm
#142 – Perhaps Cane, you could bring young Daniel Carter along???
11 Nov 2007, 13:23 pm
Hello ruck, Boerboel, Tacitus, Johannes Expatinus, en alle ander Mties en Stellenboschers.
Boerboel, lyk daai ou Matrkrkgraaf is ook maar n moerse ‘schemer’.
Al die pad agter Jake se bloed na daai Brian van Rooyen-storie.
Luke is weg nou, lyk my.
Moontlik die volgende ‘Mighty Elephants’ kaptein, as ou Cheeky weer n paar ANC- toue trek.
Jammerte.
Luke was nie n te slegte rugbyspeler nie.
As ek hy was, sou ek dik de donner ek gewees het vir my pa.
11 Nov 2007, 13:25 pm
Doc Ruck,
Why Oh why, would I bring along the competition.
11 Nov 2007, 13:39 pm
#147 – LOL. Just a thought…a “suggestion” if you wish.
Hello Pietman – Tacitus is not to be grouped with the rest of us Maties/Stellenboschers – he don’t like us no more..
I swear this anti-****** Andre Markgraaf will force my father out of his grave. My dad hated him, Harold Verster and a few others. Markgraaf has always been in the shadows, waiting to pounce – pure evil, always has been, always will be. He carries NO interests other than his own – end of.
I am so upset about this whole Watson saga being dragged up again in Jake’s book. The kid does not deserve ALL this **** – and I would feel the same for any other player, regardless of who they were.
This sucks, truly sucks – BUT, I feel Luke will have the last laugh, he IS a great player, mentally strong, and believe it or not – still has a huge following and stax of support. He will use all this **** to his benefit – His form on the field will be doing the talking in future.
11 Nov 2007, 13:48 pm
148# ruck
I am very disappointed at Markgraaf, really.
I had my doubts about him ever since that Piet Bester racist incident (not to mention him giving Springbok colours to Theo Oosthuizen, Franco Smith and Boeta Wessels).
This man is the Saddam Hussein of SA rugby.
And I feel sorry for Luke too.
But Cheeky’s aspirations got the better of him.
Luke could have been a Springbok captain on his merits and in his own time, but his father wanted some ‘political spice’ with it.
And now the flavour is gone………..and so is his boy.
Pity.
11 Nov 2007, 13:50 pm
this white character has no scruples whatsoever his personal vendetta with the watsons is blatantly plain to see.
This arrogant little two bit scheming conniving double dealer herewith gloats at how he successfully succeeded in ostricizing and orchestrating a mass hate campaign against a young rugby playing individual purely to enhance his own mega inflated egotistical control.
He strikes me as a little baby gloating in the fact that he’s now fresh out of manure to rub his nose in. Who is the supposed adult in the movie because Jake White cries like a little infant looking for sympathetic favors. I wonder which rugby nation will be willing to take such an immature imbecile on as a national coach to lead their country into battle, good luck to the fools whoever they may be.
It still stands clear that without Eddy Jones stroking his little ego and holding his insecure little hands through his trial of expectations Jake would have capitulated and folded like he did all those other tests before including losing to France at home and 49-0 to Aus in Brisbane, besides this WC was so there for the taking any coach worth the title would have easily lapped up such a non contest in his stride.
Pages: « 1 2 [3] 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 … 13 » Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.