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JJ Harmse
So let me tell you something about Paul Perez. You know, the Samoan who is playing for the EP Kings in the Currie Cup First Division? Yes, that guy on the wing, who has scored three tries thus far in their First Division campaign in 2010.
Is he the same guy who was expelled from New Zealand, had his visa revoked and had to return to Samoa, despite a provincial contract (= working permit) with Taranaki, you may ask?
Is he the same guy, who according to the Taranaki Daily News of December 2, 2009, “had been sent to Auckland by his rugby union mentors for anti-violence counselling before the incidents on May 29 and 31”? After assaulting his female partner?
The player, who according to the same newspaper, ‘was in further trouble when he was stopped by police for driving without a licence on October 10, 2009)’?
I don’t know for a fact, but I believe he is, as the EP Herald reported it a couple of weeks back.
Now look, I have nothing against Perez, and as a matter of fact, I have never met him. Looking at his record and what I am writing here, I actually pray that I never do!
The thing is, how on earth did he end up at the Kings?
They are supposed to be the new flavour of rugby, with a lot of exciting things happening. The answer to all that has been neglected in the past.
There is a fantastic stadium, a team on the up, with genuine rugby people like Alan Solomons as head coach and De Wet Barry as captain running the comeback ship and, remember, the great freedom fighter, Cheeky Watson as president.
We were bombarded, week in and week out, by those in the know, that the Southern Kings had to have Super Rugby right now. Immediately.
Not necessarily because they deserved it on rugby grounds, but because a former SA Rugby boss (Brian van Rooyen) tried to relieve the political pressures of his job with a cheap alternative.
His successor, Oregan Hoskins, and the good people of the SA Rugby board, who are only too aware of the importance of corporate governance after Van Rooyen’s financial debacles, tried to stand by the promises made, only to be confronted by the economic realities of the region.
As you read this, the proposed partners of the Kings are in dire straits.
SWD are under administration and Border are in court all the time it seems, so much so that a court order some time this week will determine which of the clubs in that union will travel to Stellenbosch as their legitimate club champion in order to participate in the national club championships.
In all of this, the EP Mighty Elephants, no EP Elephants, no EP Kings stood proud in their principles and morals.
Their claims on inclusion into the bigger brotherhood of the rugby family (and profit) was fuelled by a genuine expectation that SA Rugby would deliver on their promise, and more importantly, that they can rejuvenate the ‘crib of black (African) rugby’, to the advantage of South African rugby as a whole.
How many times have they not issued press statements, demanding clarity on SARU’s stance on their (Kings) expectations? How many times have you and I not read about the unlimited resources of black talent locked up and shackled by SARU’s reluctance to give the Eastern Cape Super Rugby?
As we say in Afrikaans, ‘slaan my om met ‘n veertjie’, with regards to Perez.
I am the last one to pass judgment on a rugby player, but on what moral grounds have the EP Kings contracted Perez?
He was deported from New Zealand for domestic violence issues and had to return to Samoa. He has played for Samoa at international Sevens level, so is not eligible for any other country.
Does he look like a good role model for South African kids? Does he look like someone you could justify a work permit for, knowing that he could be keeping a young, black rugby player out of a contract?
I don’t think so.
It is a horrific thought that Perez is depriving a black kid, a son of the EP soil (whoever he might be), a chance to perform on a bigger stage.
I find it sad that the Kings, who are claiming moral high ground with the politicians and the greater rugby fraternity, are paying money to someone with such a dodgy record and by doing so, are depriving one (or 10) of those players they are supposed to nurture, of the opportunity to earn a living and to represent their country.
On that point, let me tell you about the Kings hooker, Antonio Halangahu. I think he used to captain Randwick club in Sydney...
Read JJ every Sunday in Rapport.
Disclaimer: Sport24 encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views of columnists published on Sport24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Sport24.
So let me tell you something about Paul Perez. You know, the Samoan who is playing for the EP Kings in the Currie Cup First Division? Yes, that guy on the wing, who has scored three tries thus far in their First Division campaign in 2010.
Is he the same guy who was expelled from New Zealand, had his visa revoked and had to return to Samoa, despite a provincial contract (= working permit) with Taranaki, you may ask?
Is he the same guy, who according to the Taranaki Daily News of December 2, 2009, “had been sent to Auckland by his rugby union mentors for anti-violence counselling before the incidents on May 29 and 31”? After assaulting his female partner?
The player, who according to the same newspaper, ‘was in further trouble when he was stopped by police for driving without a licence on October 10, 2009)’?
I don’t know for a fact, but I believe he is, as the EP Herald reported it a couple of weeks back.
Now look, I have nothing against Perez, and as a matter of fact, I have never met him. Looking at his record and what I am writing here, I actually pray that I never do!
The thing is, how on earth did he end up at the Kings?
They are supposed to be the new flavour of rugby, with a lot of exciting things happening. The answer to all that has been neglected in the past.
There is a fantastic stadium, a team on the up, with genuine rugby people like Alan Solomons as head coach and De Wet Barry as captain running the comeback ship and, remember, the great freedom fighter, Cheeky Watson as president.
We were bombarded, week in and week out, by those in the know, that the Southern Kings had to have Super Rugby right now. Immediately.
Not necessarily because they deserved it on rugby grounds, but because a former SA Rugby boss (Brian van Rooyen) tried to relieve the political pressures of his job with a cheap alternative.
His successor, Oregan Hoskins, and the good people of the SA Rugby board, who are only too aware of the importance of corporate governance after Van Rooyen’s financial debacles, tried to stand by the promises made, only to be confronted by the economic realities of the region.
As you read this, the proposed partners of the Kings are in dire straits.
SWD are under administration and Border are in court all the time it seems, so much so that a court order some time this week will determine which of the clubs in that union will travel to Stellenbosch as their legitimate club champion in order to participate in the national club championships.
In all of this, the EP Mighty Elephants, no EP Elephants, no EP Kings stood proud in their principles and morals.
Their claims on inclusion into the bigger brotherhood of the rugby family (and profit) was fuelled by a genuine expectation that SA Rugby would deliver on their promise, and more importantly, that they can rejuvenate the ‘crib of black (African) rugby’, to the advantage of South African rugby as a whole.
How many times have they not issued press statements, demanding clarity on SARU’s stance on their (Kings) expectations? How many times have you and I not read about the unlimited resources of black talent locked up and shackled by SARU’s reluctance to give the Eastern Cape Super Rugby?
As we say in Afrikaans, ‘slaan my om met ‘n veertjie’, with regards to Perez.
I am the last one to pass judgment on a rugby player, but on what moral grounds have the EP Kings contracted Perez?
He was deported from New Zealand for domestic violence issues and had to return to Samoa. He has played for Samoa at international Sevens level, so is not eligible for any other country.
Does he look like a good role model for South African kids? Does he look like someone you could justify a work permit for, knowing that he could be keeping a young, black rugby player out of a contract?
I don’t think so.
It is a horrific thought that Perez is depriving a black kid, a son of the EP soil (whoever he might be), a chance to perform on a bigger stage.
I find it sad that the Kings, who are claiming moral high ground with the politicians and the greater rugby fraternity, are paying money to someone with such a dodgy record and by doing so, are depriving one (or 10) of those players they are supposed to nurture, of the opportunity to earn a living and to represent their country.
On that point, let me tell you about the Kings hooker, Antonio Halangahu. I think he used to captain Randwick club in Sydney...
Read JJ every Sunday in Rapport.
Disclaimer: Sport24 encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views of columnists published on Sport24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Sport24.
