Luke targets Cup return
Skipper raring to go after his foot injury wrongly diagnosed
AFTER being sidelined by injury for most of last season, EP Kings skipper Luke Watson says he will be fit and raring to go when his team kick off their Currie Cup rugby campaign.
The star loose forward has also promised fans the Kings will play an exciting brand of enterprising rugby that will entertain crowds at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
With the Kings expected to be promoted to the Currie Cup Premier Division, the stakes will be high as they bid to show they have recovered from the setback of the Southern Kings being relegated from Super Rugby.
A decision on whether to promote the Kings and Griquas into an enlarged eight-team Currie Cup Premier Division will be taken by SA rugby bosses on January 31 in Cape Town.
“We targeted former All Black flyhalf Carlos Spencer as one of our coaches because of the way he played the game. This Kings team would like to play enterprising, expansive rugby,” Watson said.
“If you go to any club in Port Elizabeth or its surrounds that is the type of rugby that is played. We brought Carlos here because we want to play a game that gets people on their feet and brings crowds to the stadium.”
Watson, who has been out of action after a fractured foot injury was incorrectly diagnosed, is itching to get back onto the field.
“Obviously the injury has gone on longer than it should have,” Watson said.
“There was a significant [mistake] from a local specialist after training eight months and playing three Super Rugby matches with a fractured foot.
“I could not walk any more and went to see a specialist in Cape Town. He immediately said ‘you have had a fractured foot for the past year’. Two weeks later six screws and a metal plate were put in my foot and I have been recovering since.
“At the moment the physio and specialist are happy with my progress and I am back to walking quite comfortably. Hopefully by the end of the month I will be back to running. I am very comfortable that in the next couple of months it will be 100%.”
Watson, however, said a return to the Vodacom Cup, which starts in March, might be too soon.
“I am not going to rush back unnecessarily. A lot of focus in the Vodacom Cup is to bring through the young and talented players and give them a chance so we can carry the vision of the Kings forward in developing our talent.
“Our primary focus is on the Currie Cup and much is dependant on the announcement at the end of the month. I should be ready within the next two to three months maximum. I am certain I will be 100% ready for the Currie Cup.
“As you can see in the past few weeks there have been some big names joining and in the next couple of weeks more will join. We are investing heavily because we believe in the vision.”
Watson said if the Kings were promoted to the Premier Division it would be a huge boost for the region.
“I have been chatting to friends outside of EP and any objective person can see the Eastern Cape is a hotbed of talent. It is an incredible source of great rugby players.
“Our goal from day one was to create chances for players to stay in their province and wear the EP jersey with pride and be able to play top-flight rugby at home. We are going to achieve that come hell or high water.”