Watson omitted from Southern Kings squad
CONTROVERSIAL and injury-prone Luke Watson said he had mixed emotions after being left out of the newlook Southern Kings squad to play Super Rugby next year. Despite his shock omission, Watson said he would cheer the Kings on from the sidelines and was confident they would make the region proud. SA Rugby Union’s list of players released yesterday features several rising stars. Included in the lineup are youngsters like James Hall, Junior Pokomela, Tyler Paul, Malcolm Jaer, Aidon Davis and CJ Velleman, who could breathe new life into the ailing franchise. Saru has made it clear it is looking for 50% black representation in the team as the Kings look to make their mark on the international stage. Charl Crous, formerly chief executive of the EP Rugby Union (EPRU), was also confirmed as the chief operating officer of the Southern Kings. He relinquished his role at EPRU to take up the position. Watson has been plagued by a catalogue of injuries in recent seasons and this might have swayed the decision which is likely to have been made by the newly appointed Kings coaching staff and Saru officials. “It was a moment of mixed emotion when the Super Rugby squad was announced,” Watson said. “I was obviously disappointed for myself and many of the other players who did not make the squad, but at the same time I was extremely happy for my teammates that made it. “The past couple of months have been very difficult for us as a group. There have been many challenges. “The team must be applauded for the character that has been shown during these tough times. “It is a far from ideal situation with some of the players being left out. “It is not fair on them. They really deserve to be there too. “However, the situation is out of our hands and we need to see what is next for us as a group of players not included in the Super Rugby squad. “At this stage, I believe that the most important thing for us as players, as a city and as a province is to get behind the Southern Kings. “Every single player in the team has my complete support. “I will be there cheering the team on from the stands,” Watson said. Further signings from other unions will be made at a later date.
After Saru took control of the cashstrapped Kings last month, there was always the chance that Watson would not figure in the Kings’ future plans. It remains to be seen whether this is the end of the road for Watson or whether he continues to play for the EP Kings in the Currie Cup. The decision is unlikely to please Watson’s father, Cheeky, who said in a recent interview that he felt Luke was the right man to lead the Kings back into Super Rugby. There has also been speculation that Watson may not have seen eye to eye with new head coach Deon Davids, who comes to the Kings from South Western Districts. When the Kings made their debut in Super Rugby in 2013, Watson was the poster boy for much of the advertising promotions leading up to the competition. He returned to Port Elizabeth from a time in England where he led Bath Rugby Club with great success. With uncertainty over his future role at the Kings, there is speculation that he might return to a European-based club. The group of players will report for duty at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium today for the continuation of administration and logistical preparations as well as working on strength and conditioning programmes. More signings will be made before the completed squad report for duty on January 4. The national union said the players would be paid during the course of the week for November and December by a new holding company created, and wholly owned, by Saru to manage the financial affairs of the Southern Kings. Saru chief executive Jurie Roux said: “There have been a number of obstacles to overcome but we have made considerable progress in the past week. “There has been a lot of overheated speculation about all manner of things but we have not lost sight of our responsibility. “Our only desire has been to rescue the Southern Kings from the parlous state in which they found themselves and put together a competitive squad to represent the people of the Eastern Cape with pride in Vodacom Super Rugby. “A new company has had to be formed to do that and with the assistance of the South African Rugby Players’ Association we have signed a number of the EP Kings whom our rugby department identified as fitting into a Vodacom Super Rugby squad. “Our implementation team is in discussions with other unions and players to complete the signings of the squad that we have in mind.” Roux said further announcements would be made as and when signings were completed. The Kings will launch their season ticket sales and replica team clothing range at the Kings’ club shop at the Boardwalk today. The new signings with age and position in brackets are: Malcolm Jaer (20, fullback ) Siyanda Grey (26, wing/centre), JP du Plessis (24, centre), Stefan Watermeyer ( 27, centre), Elgar Watts (30, flyhalf), Louis Fouche (25, flyhalf), Shane Gates (23, centre), James Hall (19, scrumhalf) Kevin Luiters (23, scrumhalf), Aidon Davis (21, No 8), Junior Pokomela (19, No 8), CJ Velleman (20, flank), Stefan Willemse (23, flank), Thembelani Bholi (25, flank), Cornell Hess (26, lock), Steven Sykes (31, lock), Tyler Paul (20, lock/flank), Schalk Ferreira (31, prop), Tom Botha (25, prop), Edgar Marutlulle (27, hooker)
