Rugby
Luke controversy saddens Putt
2008-10-15 08:36
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Cape Town - Kevin Putt, a former coach of Springbok Luke Watson, says he would be "immensely disappointed" if allegations that the loose forward wanted to vomit on the South African jersey are correct.
Watson has created a storm of controversy in South Africa after he reportedly claimed the problem with South African rugby was that it is "controlled by Dutchmen" and suggested it was "rotten to the core".
Following the revelation of Watson's comments, which included the statement he was so nauseated by wearing the Springbok jersey he wanted to retch the contents of his stomach on to it, the South African Rugby Union has called for an urgent meeting with the player.
Yesterday, former Waikato halfback Putt, who coached Watson during his tenure with the Durban-based Sharks between 2002 and 2005, noted the son of anti-apartheid campaigner "Cheeky" Watson has always been a strong personality.
"I'm not surprised, but I am a little bit sad," Putt, who returned to New Zealand several years ago and coached Counties-Manukau in 2006 and 2007, said.
"I thoroughly enjoyed his rugby playing ability and would be immensely disappointed if these (comments) come to fruition (and prove correct).
"If that's the case, it's a disappointing summary of what a rugby player has done with his mouth instead of his body."
Watson, who now lives in the Western Cape and represents the Stormers in the Super 14, last year made his Springboks debut after former coach Jake White was forced to include him in his squad by the sport's administrators.
For some it proved an unpopular decision, with Watson's detractors believing he did not deserve to be included in the squad.
The inflammatory comments were made at a rugby club last week.
Watson was unaware they were being recorded and although he did not deny making them, he said they have been distorted.
He also allegedly said his team-mates and coach refused to talk to him and would not share a table to eat with him and that "the men who sit on my left and right of me in the change room despise me for who I am".
Springboks team-mate Victor Matfield has reacted angrily to the claims, telling South African media the attacks were "despicable" and refuted suggestions Watson's team-mates alienated him.
"When I was captain (of the Springboks) I did my best to involve Luke in all the activities," said Matfield.
"I asked him to make an input in video and team sessions and he did not want to. It is untrue that the other players didn't try to accept him. It is rather a case of Luke never wanting to be part of the Springbok set-up.
"Many players came to me to complain that Luke was not, or did not want to be, a Springbok in heart and soul."