Stormers coach Rassie Erasmus has dismissed as insignificant the reaction of a large part of the Newlands crowd, who on Sunday jeered controversial loose forward Luke Watson on a number of occasions during his team’s 43-33 victory over English Premiership club Saracens.

The Saturday Star, Pretoria News, The Independant and the Sunday Argus reported last weekend about the possibility of Luke Watson getting a cold reception from the Newlands crowd. They quoted SA Rugby Blog editor-in-chief Andrew Norman as saying:

“…many of the bloggers had not forgiven Watson. ‘The comments are not of a good nature. A lot of the hate has not yet subsided, he’s still in deep trouble.’

Norman said Watson had been “crucified” before a hearing was even held, adding that he might be booed or jeered.

“In English Premier League Soccer, a player is booed when he even touches the ball. That won’t be a good thing for the Stormers or for South African rugby.”

While some of the spectators cheered when Watson scored a try, another larger portion jeered the flank – in what is clearly a reaction to his comments at a rugby function last year when he said he was so disgusted with wearing the Springbok jersey that he wanted to vomit on it.

Playing at No.8 in the Stormers’ first Super 14 pre-season game – in preparation for the start of the Super 14 competition next month – Watson appears to have made piece with his teammates, many of them Springboks.

That is certainly the message from the coach, Erasmus, but not a sentiment shared by the crowd.

Erasmus was adamant that the controversial loose forward does have the support of his teammates.

“If there are persons who would like to put their energy into something like that for 13 games, it is up to them,” Erasmus told the media, when questioned about the spectators who jeered Watson.

“They must know that if we pick somebody inside the team, and he is on the park, then everything has been sorted out and the team is happy. If you are a real supporter, you will support the team and their decisions. I think it will fade away.

“I can tell you of a few people who have done far worse things than Luke [Watson] and they are in prominent positions in South African Rugby. We are happy with the way the team is performing, all 26 of them,” the coach added.

Stormers captain Jean de Villiers also supported Watson and said he had the support of the entire team.

“We were only worried about what was happening on the field. I thought Luke played well,” De Villiers said.

Source: rugby365.com

Pic: thestormers.com

Tags: luke watson, rassie erasmus, stormers