News

Watson the centre of more controversy

Sunday 12th October 2008

Centre of controversy: Luke Watson

The South African Rugby Union has greeted with shock statements attributed to Luke Watson regarding South African rugby, his Springbok team-mates and the national jersey.

The Springbok and Stormers loose forward is reported to have said that he felt so nauseated by wearing the Springbok jersey that he wanted to vomit on it.

Watson is further quoted as saying that "the problem with SA rugby is that it is controlled by Dutchmen" and "rotten to the core."

As for his Springbok team-mates, the controversial player is reported to have claimed that "the men who sit on the left and right of me in the change room despise me for who I am".

Watson's comments are reported to have been made in a speech at the Ubumbo Rugby Festival at the University of Cape Town Rugby Football Club (UCT) on Friday, October 3.

SARU has called an urgent meeting on Monday to determine the accuracy of the reports with Western Province, the player's contracting union, and UCT, where the statements were said to have been made.

"If the reports are accurate this is a very serious matter indeed," said Andy Marinos, SA Rugby's manager of national teams and acting managing director.

"But we can't pre-judge the matter on the strength of media reports and we can make no definitive statement until we have in our hands what evidence there may be."

Marinos said a further statement would be issued following the meeting with Western Province and UCT.