Watson defends De Villiers' vision
Springbok loose forward Luke Watson has come out in defence of coach Peter de Villiers' vision of transforming the World champions style of play saying it is for the long-term good of South African rugby.
Springbok loose forward Luke Watson has come out in defence of coach Peter de Villiers' vision of transforming the World champions style of play saying it is for the long-term good of South African rugby.
Watson offered De Villiers his full support in his quest to make the Springboks a more attacking team on Tuesday in reaction to the criticism dealt out after their defeat in the opening Tri-Nations fixture in Wellington last Saturday.
“It is vital for the here and now and for the future to come that his philosophy to expand our game succeeds,” Watson told IOL.
“We have to buy into Peter's vision and his philosophy. He is the coach; we are the team. We have to gel and go forward on the same page.”
“Long term, with the way rugby is going, with the way they are changing the rules and wanting rugby to become far more expansive, it is crucial that as players we start evolving to the new game and the new laws. We must start becoming more adaptable for the game of the future.
“The new laws in Super 14 showed how some teams took longer to adapt; others managed it very quickly. But for the sake of the national game and national pride we have in rugby, it is important we bind to this strategy very quickly.
“However, I do think a large adjustment has already taken place and the guys are doing very well so far, although it is early days.”
“SA rugby has really developed and grown during the past few years. There are now certain aspects of the game where South Africa has set benchmarks themselves, so that we are now the trend setters. But it is equally true to say that for the past few years, the All Blacks have arguably been the best side.
“But in my opinion, South Africa have replied to that – they have claimed certain aspects of the game as their own. Every team has key pluses, but you would think at the moment of South Africa and New Zealand as the world leaders. But I hope in time South Africa can be the best in the world. We are the world champions and that in itself says a lot.
“New Zealand has forever and a day been the top side and set levels of excellence, but South Africa in the last couple of years has really made a strong comeback.”