Davidson 'gutted' by White's decision

Published May 18, 2004

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Sharks scrumhalf Craig Davidson, snubbed by the Springbok rugby selectors at the weekend, on Tuesday lashed out at coach Jake White and admitted he felt "gutted" by the decision.

Davidson, 27, capped five times for the Boks between June 2002 and August 2003, said it was a sad day for South African rugby when it was announced that White was appointed Springbok coach.

"I believe that former Springbok greats Francois Pienaar, Dick Muir, Morné du Plessis and Rob Louw are the real South African coaches. One of them should be in charge of our national team," Davidson said.

Davidson accused White of bad-mouthing him following an incident when White was with the Sharks four years ago.

"Jake and I had an incident when he was assistant coach, but I don't want to go into details. Since then he has bad-mouthed me over the years.

"I had hoped to see some maturity and a change over the years. Unfortunately leopards don't change their spots."

Davidson said he believed South Africa had the best rugby players in the world, "but we sadly mess up by appointing coaches who seem to have their own agendas and try and re-invent the wheel".

Davidson said that it would appear that judging by the team, which was announced that Super 12 form did not count.

"Coaches choose their personal favourites to the detriment of the players who perform consistently each week for the entire season.

"I know that by making these statements I will be spoiling my future opportunities, but I believe I need to speak out in the best interests of South African rugby."

Davidson, who played his last test on August 2 2003 (against Australia) said that he was not going to give up and was looking forward to signing a new contract with the Sharks.

"I am passionate about my rugby and the Sharks and I will just get on with it," he said.

Davidson was overlooked for the Springbok team to play Ireland next month with the scrumhalf roles going to Fourie du Preez and Bolla Conradie.

He did not even get the nod for the South African A team with Neil de Kock and Enrico Januarie being the men named at the weekend for that side.

White and selectors Andre Markgraaff and Pieter Jooste have also resisted picking Luke Watson, who was one of the outstanding South African loose forwards in the Super 12.

White declined to comment on individual omissions, saying he did not want to be drawn into a "slanging match".

"There were many good players who missed out to the Springbok and South Africa A squads," said White.

The selectors included Burger ahead of Watson in the team at the weekend. One of Burger's additional strengths is that he can jump in the lineout. This element will be crucial if the Boks decide to play Quinton Davids at lock. Davids is weak in the lineout, which was one of the reasons why the selectors included Bulls loose forward Pedrie Wannenburg in the 22-man team for the first test of the season against Wales.

The Springboks will assemble in Bloemfontein tomorrow ahead of the test there next month.

Springbok team:

Percy Montgomery, Brent Russell, Ashwin Willemse, Jaque Fourie, Marius Joubert, De Wet Barry, Wayne Julies, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Fourie du Preez, Bolla Conradie, Pedrie Wannenburg, Joe van Niekerk, Schalk Burger, Juan Smith, Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield, Quinton Davids, Faan Rautenbach, Os du Randt, Eddie Andrews, John Smit (capt), Hanyani Shimange. Standby: Gaffie du Toit.

South Africa A (to play Namibia):

Christo Bezuidenhout, Gary Botha, CJ van der Linde, Geo Cronjé, Gerrie Britz, Kabamba Floors, Wikus van Heerden (capt), Jacques Cronjé, Neil de Kock, Werner Greeff, Henno Mentz, Adrian Jacobs, Ettienne Botha, Breyton Paulse, Conrad Jantjes. Bench: Danie Coetzee, Gurthro Steenkamp, Danie Rossouw, Adri Badenhorst, Enrico Januarie, Andre Pretorius, Jorrie Muller.

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