Luke Watson: Full of regrets
Kings captain Luke Watson has expressed remorse about his controversial and disparaging slur about Afrikaners in 2008.
He was recorded, without his knowledge, saying that the problem with South African rugby was that it was run by "Dutchmen".
"I'm very sorry I said that. It's one of the things in my life that I most regret," he told Sports Talk in a radio interview on Monday.
"There comes a time when you need to raise your hand and say 'sorry, I messed up'. It touches me deeply that so many people still support me," Watson said.
"However, I can't go from door to door to tell every South African I'm sorry. It's important for me to go through life with integrity. I want it to be the legacy of my family and my life.
"I do think that at the time, the media twisted my words unfairly. They benefit from sensation," he said.
Watson left South Africa in 2009 for the English club Bath, but after a few successful seasons he joined Eastern Province in 2011.
Comments
three6three6 says...
Being the son of Cheeky Watson was always going to be difficult.... Was Luke Watson ever sufficiently good enough to be capped by the Bokke in the first place? I am not so sure... everything at the time pointed to a selection decision that was heavily 'politically' influenced....
Will he ever play for the Bokke again... I would seriously doubt that he would be playing sufficiently well enough or that there would be injuries to all of those players currently ahead of him. Besides the Spears are likely to be the 'whipping boys' of Super Rugby this year... there are no bad teams in South Africa or New Zealand.... and the Rebels (Melbourne) and Western Force (Perth) should be playing with much more confidence this time around... the Spears are not likely to win too many matches.
Posted 17:20 09th February 2013
new_j4a says...
@5Lock4ward, sorry I haven't been back here for a while, now just browsing waiting for England to kick off....yup, I was joking too. I think Luke Watson is not good enough to play for England...or the Boks. Hoping to see another world beating performance from England in a few minutes
Posted 15:49 02nd February 2013
rolf says...
Everybody should have the right to stanbd up, say sorry and be accepted.
Its not the easisest thing to admit mistakes publicly.
I appreciate it.
So stop picking at Watson, folks.
Posted 12:28 02nd February 2013
letsgoboks says...
carpelone - agree with everything youve said.
Posted 13:07 31st January 2013
cambiassio says...
Stuart Barnes said he was only and average Aviva Premiership player. OH how he was wrong
Posted 23:55 29th January 2013
5Lock4ward says...
@new_j4a, I think you missed my joke; that being about all the non-Englishmen wearing white these days. But to answer your question I'd wager that he'll never get another Bok cap again thanks to his public shenanigans. So if he wanted an international rugby career after he said all those things he'd have been better off on 5th best England playing regularly than playing once for the Boks and likely never again.
Posted 23:51 29th January 2013
new_j4a says...
@5Lock4ward says.." he could be the captain of England right now." True, but why settle for 5th best?
Posted 20:31 29th January 2013
boksmashoffice says...
A tosser. I have very little respect for this guy. What he said about the Bok jersey was disgraceful. He was never springbok material. This was proven in his performance v the Samoans. I wonder how many lads really want to go into battle with him. I know I would not.
Posted 18:59 29th January 2013
5Lock4ward says...
His biggest regret should be taking the Bok cap. Especially when none of his team-mates were supportive of him after his political commentary. After how he played for Bath he could be the captain of England right now.
Posted 17:25 29th January 2013
carpelone says...
It is too easy now and I do not know if I believe him.
I am not an Afrikaner, but the issue is what he said about the Bok jersey and how much he despised his team mates, particularly the Afrikaners.
He used politically sensitive stuff to enhance his career, although this is only my humble opinion.
Anyway, he was not one of my favorite guy or player, and he will never be.
Posted 13:14 29th January 2013
zambokke says...
Is it my imagination or is something happening in his chest area on this photo? Training bra required?
Anyway, best of luck to Luke, as JayStarr says, he should stick to playing and stop talking about Dutchmen or puking on the Sprinbok emblem etc and do his talking on the field.
Posted 12:57 29th January 2013
zambokke says...
Is it my imagination or is something happening in his chest area on this photo? Training bra required?
Anyway, best of luck to Luke, as JayStarr says, he should stick to playing and stop talking about Dutchmen or puking on the Sprinbok emblem etc and do his talking on the field.
Posted 12:57 29th January 2013
APV1 says...
@ rugby_rockstar - wouldn't being in the media spotlight (interviews, twitter, etc) make them more marketable? They need to be a great player first and foremost, but this additional stuff also helps. That, in turn, would make them more likely to get sponsorship deals, autobiography deals, and so on.
I think they just need to consider what they say and to whom. Just ask Sale Sharks how easy it is to cock up using social media...
There are some exceptions - Jason Robinson, Johnny Wilkinson, Dan Carter, etc - but their talent was (is) so exceptional, it was (is) a different case.
I agree with Frooschman about LW's time at Bath, but back then his talent was unproven at the highest level.
Does that make any sense, or just in my head?
Posted 12:34 29th January 2013
Spartacus says...
He doesnt really warrant the press coverage, whether on rugby or personal grounds. Average on both counts.
Posted 11:37 29th January 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
Everyone shoots their mouths off some time or other, and 99% of the time people will make a judgemant call and either take your opinion or leave it. Thats normal life.
Sports professionals forget that the media aren't normal people, they have a vested interest to stir things up and sell stories. I'm not talented enough to be a sports professional but if I were I'd probably refuse to do any interviews and all. Stay off facebook, don't tweet. Just avoid publicity. Dealing with these people is about as safe as cycling with a blind fold on. They are out to stitch you up.
Luke Watson's rugby career was diminished by a forthright comment and a journalist who was willing to walk over watson to get his big story. Why can't journalists just consider what effect a story will have on the people involved before printing?
Jason Robinson had the right idea. Some one printed a derogatory story about his family life and he just stopped doing interviews. The rugby media went nuts becasue they didn't have access to the Captain of England National Team and policed themselves, for a change.
Posted 10:08 29th January 2013
martinmarais78 says...
Its ok Luke, moved on from your stupid remarks long time ago and even see the humor in it now. If you are a Soutie, Dutchmen etc etc we are all South Africans. (Except the expats!!)
Jaystarr, Rapport with 2 r's... ;)
Posted 09:53 29th January 2013
Frooschman says...
At Bath this guy was a great player and a great leader. Gutted when he left. As an outsider looking in on South African rugby I think he just needs to shut the hell up and let his rugby do the talking. Unfortunately I'm not sure playing for Daddy's team is the best place to do that but then maybe no-one else would have him?
Posted 09:42 29th January 2013
APV1 says...
I always looked past the media hype and let his playing speak for itself. Whilst at Bath he did well for us and probably gave him some perspective. He has always and will always have some media spotlight due to his father and this incident, but he's a good player and should be able to compete for the Bok jersey again.
Posted 09:27 29th January 2013
JayStarr says...
It's ok Luke, I was never mad at you. It's just a pity so many other South Africans still believe every ounce of hype and sensation Die Raport dishes up... I understood your sentiments and frustrations then and agree that it is still very much the case today. But you're still a player, not an administrator, so stick to doing your talking on the field for now. Because you do that very well. You were a better captain for Province/Stormers than either Burger or JdV has managed to be - and an absolutely amazing player. Best of luck for 2013 - I'm afraid you're going to need it at the Kings!
Posted 08:02 29th January 2013