King Luke wants his crown against Bulls
Watson has recovered from his throat injury and he’s ready for selection against the Bulls
FIRST-CHOICE Southern King’s skipper Luke Watson has given his selectors a pleasant problem to ponder when they meet to pick their team to play the Bulls in a Super Rugby showdown at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 7:10pm).
Sidelined by a serious throat injury since February, Watson is back in the mix and ready to take his place in the side to face the Loftus Versfeld giants.
The King’s team to face the Bulls is expected to be named today and much interest will focus on whether Watson is included in the matchday squad.
It will certainly be an emotional moment for the expected capacity 44 000 crowd if Watson leads the rejuvenated Kings out against the powerful Bulls in what should be a fiery South African derby.
Rugby fever is building in the Bay after the Kings pulled off a dramatic last-minute 30-27 win over the Rebels in Melbourne on Saturday.
Watson enjoyed a standout game when the EP Kings beat the South Western Districts Eagles 52-10 in a Vodacom Cup match at the NMMU campus on Friday.
“I am very happy about how things have gone today,” Watson said afterwards. Asked whether he was ready to face the Bulls on Saturday Watson said:
“Look, we do not want to get too far ahead of ourselves. I will talk to director of rugby Alan Solomons and let’s see what happens.
“It is too early to say whether I will play or perhaps start on the bench. It is a long season and there are still plenty of South African derby matches to come.
“I only expected to play 60 minutes against the Eagles, so I was very happy that I was on for the full 80 minutes,” Watson said.
While Watson has been away, the Kings have developed a highly efficient loose forward combination with Devin Oosthuizen, Jacques “Vleis” Engelbrecht, Wimpie van der Walt and Cornell du Preez all shining for the rookie franchise.
With Watson back to full fitness, the Kings are well served in this vital department of the game.
Head coach Matt Sexton said the loose forwards had played a crucial role in the team’s impressive performances on their overseas tour. “They set the tone for us defensively,” he said.
“Just look at their stats. Week in and week out they have performed really well. It is great to have guys doing the job and the other guys feed off that.” While it is on defence that they really impressed, the Kings’ head coach said they were all solid all-round players.
All the rookie Super Rugby players have taken full advantage of their chances and the Kings are now spoilt for choice in several positions. “It is about getting opportunities,” Sexton said.
“You don’t know until you go out at this level. When we look at selecting guys, we look at them as prospective Super Rugby players. We’re pleased with the group we’ve got. They have been competitive and have showed they are worthy in the competition.
“It is really pleasing from that perspective to see these guys step up and take the opportunities they have been given.”