MAILBOX: Watson retort sky-rockets
Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:54
rugby365.com has been inundated with barbed opinion from the South African public regarding Luke Watson's bitter views over the state and stature of SA rugby. You have the Write of Reply!
As a proud springbok supporter I was most disturbed by the article posted reading that Luke Watson wanted to vomit on the Springbok emblem. The struggle that he refers to as a child growing up also irritates me. As South Africans we all went through struggles in life. Nearly 15 years later and 2 world cup trophies and people are still bickering about transformation and the Springbok emblem. Rugby is the one sport played in this country that has brought together the people of South Africa more so than any other and yet certain politicians and players (Luke) keep on wanting to interfere with something that is not broken. Maybe Luke should get over himself and consider another direction in
his playing career.
- Thabiso
I think we are becoming the laughing stock of the rugby world. New Zealand and Australia especially, must be sitting back and having a fat giggle at our internal rugby politics. Maybe this is proof as to why we had such a disastrous Tri-Nations, if we cant get it right off the field then how are we supposed to get it right on the field. Just as much as Luke is been slammed for
his comments, I would like to slam Victor Matfield for his comments to a fellow player. We have a strict rule on the field about retaliation but off the field we can retaliate and show the world how "classy" we really are. This type of thing should be solved amicably around the table between SARFU and relevant persons not blown out of proportion the way it is. At one stage I believed Luke was worth his salt but that means been a man honour, on and off the field - I retract this thought now.
- Dean
Watson
Yes, I am disgusted. Not by Luke Watson's comments, but rather by the media's sensationalizing of this issue. I suspect my email may not be published for the same reasons Luke was trying to highlight. Everything he said about transformation rings true but all that the media and everyone else seemed to take from it is that he wanted to vomit on the springbok jersey. Don't get me wrong, I am all for the Springboks too, I am against the idea of changing the team emblem from the springbok, but I am also for transformation. Luke was indeed used as a political pawn. No one would ever be comfortable in that kind of a situation and he could have chosen not to play and walk out. What would the media have said then? what would South Africa have said? He chose to carry the burden and remain in the team despite his coaches dislike for him and I do not doubt that some of his teammates would have also displayed some disdain at his selection. Yet, he remained in
the team and played. Now when he expresses some of those frustrations and issue, the media and SA rugby want to crucify him. Go ahead, make him a martyr.
- Michael Amui
I am very sad to read the latest outburst by Watson. For a very short time, he seemed to have put his head down and get on with the job and was, I believe, proving his detractors wrong. The latest outburst, if accurate, has undone all that hard work.
I agree with several other posts on this forum that if Watson did say that he wanted to vomit on the Bok jersey, I am dumbfounded why he would in the first place have even taken up the honour to wear the jersey. His argument that he did it because he wants to honour those who have been before him does not wash. He could have achieved the same result in many other ways. At first blush, perhaps he could have worked for or alongside Kompele!
Luke, you have disappointed us and South African rugby once again. If the statements are
proved true and accurate, I truly hope you do the honourable thing and hang up your boots.
- Sean Bosse
Jake White summed it up perfectly when asked his reasons why he wasn't chosen for the Boks when he said that Luke was in his opinion, was not good enough!! He has managed to weasel his way in the team on a so called "honourary black player" status, due purely to the influence of his Father. I don't blame the team for not liking him. He cannot back up his arrogance, which automatically puts him in a position for public scrutiny. He is not worthy to wear the Green and Gold let alone vomit on it!
- Ivan Talbot
It sickens me to the depths of my stomach to read about a person that claims to be a part of "the struggle" yet is prepared to cause such an uproar and send us back so far after so much being gained!! If he never sees a rugby field again it will be a good thing!! He has only ever been chosen because of his background not because he can actually play rugby!! Look at Pieterson, Ndungane, Mtwarira and so on they are awesome rugby players not chosen because of colour but because they have the skills!! This story is getting really boring for everyone!!!
The Watson family should be forbiddeen to ever make a public statement ever again!!!
- Shaun Le Feuvre
Riding on his daddy's coat tails - What is he trying to prove???
He must remember that he is not good enough to be in the Springbok's team, and by being there he is probably denying an excellent player of colour from wearing the Springbok jersey.
Move over and let someone who would be proud the wear the jersey run onto the field.
I would not like to be him when next he takes to the field.
- Gilda
This report is incomplete, and even a child can see it is out of context. Rugby365.com should have made an effort to obtain the full speech, because as things stand, the
report is positioned in a way that plays into the hands of some racist elements that frequent this site. Well, it's a free country and everyone is entitled to their opinion. I do understand though where Luke is coming from. You see, it was always very disappointing finding out Jake White's attitude to Watson, it was childish of White, a national coach, to come out in public like he did, it was tacky and in bad taste. And if the reports about Luke's treatment in the Bok team at that time are true, then it was also disgusting that grown men, representing a whole nation, would treat one of the team that way. And now Matfield wants to come out and say he invited Watson to comment on video sessions, why did Luke have to be invited, like an outsider, while others were presumed insiders and therefore did not need to be invited. As for those who say Breyton Paulse did not want to vomit on the jersey, well maybe they should have asked him in the 2003 World cup, when he was unjustifiably
benched behind Jorrie Muller of all people.
The Watson family comes from a history of not being afraid to speak truth to power, and Luke probably knows only one way, and that's the direct approach. I for one suspect that many black players agree with him, but are too afraid of being victimised. Surely Nokwe would not have been feeling too comfortable at being made to toast in front of so many people (I would bet he was very embarrased, and I'm very disappointed that Percy would do something like that, given the troubles he had when he first started with the Boks). I just feel disgusted at the readers of this site, you all sound like the type of people who would blame the kid being bullied for speaking out, rather than the bully. Don't be angry at the fact that Luke spoke out, but rather worry about whether what he said was true, and if he lied, then be angry at him.
- Khuleka
