Luke could embarrass selectors
2006-10-18 21:45
Cape Town - A golden hat-trick by inspirational Western Province captain Luke Watson could turn into a huge embarrassment for the national rugby selectors next month.
Watson has been nominated by SA Rugby for three prestige awards to be presented in Sandton on November 1.
Despite being acclaimed as one of the outstanding players during the past season, Watson was not included last weekend in the Springbok squad of 28 to tour Ireland and England from next month.
The selectors may not rate him as good enough for Test rugby but that does not mean all experts share their opinion.
This is born out by the short lists announced on Wednesday for the SA Rugby and Absa awards.
Watson has been nominated as SA Player of the Year, SA Super 14 Player of the Year and Currie Cup Player of the Year.
In the category for the top award, SA Player of the Year, Watson is up against four Springboks: lock forward Victor Matfield, loose forward Pierre Spies, loosehead prop Os du Randt and scrumhalf Fourie du Preez.
Spies, after some sensational performances during the past few months, has also been nominated for three awards. He is also on the short lists for Most Promising Player of the Year and Currie Cup Player of the Year.
Goodbye to the Springboks
To select the most promising player the judges will also have to consider WP fullback Gio Aplon, fiery flankers Hilton Lobberts and Keegan Daniel and Springbok fullback JP Pietersen.
Aplon is in line for two awards. He has also been nominated for the SuperSport Try of the Year prize.
Injured Springbok flanker Schalk Burger has been nominated as Super 14 Player of the Year.
At the awards ceremony, SA Rugby will also say goodbye to the Springboks before they depart on their tour.
Springbok wing Bryan Habana was the SA Player of the Year in 2005.
The SA Rugby Awards nominations are (names in alphabetical order):
SA RUGBY PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2006
Fourie du Preez, Os du Randt, Victor Matfield, Pierre Spies, Luke Watson
MOST PROMISING PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2006
Gio Aplon, Keegan Daniel, Hilton Lobberts, JP Pietersen, Pierre Spies
SUPER 14 PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT 2006
Schalk Burger, Gary Botha, Victor Matfield, Wynand Olivier, Luke Watson
CURRIE CUP PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT 2006
Willem de Waal, Kabamba Floors, Jaco Pretorius, Pierre Spies, Luke Watson
VODACOM CUP PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2006
Keegan Daniel, John Daniel, Andries Hough, Piet Krause, Chiliboy Ralepelle
SUPERSPORT TRY OF THE YEAR 2006
Gio Aplon, Hottie Louw, Breyton Paulse, Ruan Pienaar, Pedrie Wannenburg.
- Die Burger