Talk:Luke Watson

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Wikiproject Rugby union
Rugby union Portal
This article is within the scope of WikiProject Rugby union. This project provides a central approach to rugby union-related subjects on Wikipedia. Please participate by editing Luke Watson, and help us assess and improve articles to good and featured standards, or visit the project page, where you can join and view the list of open tasks.
Start This article has been rated as start-Class on the assessment scale.
Mid This article has been rated as Mid-importance on the importance scale.

Contents

[edit] Quoted Heights of players

I haven't altered these, as I'm not sure of the stats, but from memory,

George Smith is about 5'9" Neil Back is about 5'11"

The conversion between metric and imperial units also seems to be off.

Sorry that I don't have time to track down the correct data.

OK: I used Google converter to do the conversions :/DocDee 16:40, 13 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Deletions of unsubstantiated material

This was just untrue:

  • However, it is a matter of record that England started the World Cup Final with flankers Martin Corry (1.95m) and Lewis Moody (1.95m).

I felt this was ambiguous about which world cup final. Also the heights were inaccurate. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.121.142.22 (talk) 00:24, 5 June 2008 (UTC)

I removed the following lines as I could not find evidence for their claims, even though most reflect common perceptions in South Africa:

  • "The South African media speculated that Watson lost the award under dubious circumstances and that a deal was struck by which Floors won, and in return Watson would be imposed on national coach White in 2007"
  • "After the fall of apartheid Watson has profited handsomely in business deals given to him by a grateful ANC leadership"
  • The media speculated that Saru had again imposed its will on Jake White, but this was not validated in subsequent interviews or press releases by SARU and Jake White. The media speculated that Saru had again imposed its will on Jake White, but this was not validated in subsequent interviews or press releases by SARU and Jake White.
  • "...is quick to the point of "breakdown," as he can run 40m in 4.95 seconds..."
  • "Additionally, he consistently breaks the advantage line and creates space for his fellow forwards and backs."
  • "Watson's consistency as an open side flanker in the Super 14 Series and Currie Cup rugby competitions (where he first played for the Natal Sharks before moving to the Vodacom Stormers) implies that he should have been selected."
  • "Most of White's arguments for the exclusion of Watson have subsequently been debunked. Additionally, White selected specialist open side flanker/fetcher Kabamba Floors in late 2006 for the Springbok's end-of-year match against England at Twickenham. Previously, White had specifically stated that he did not see the need for a fetcher in the national team. Floors, who plays the same role as Watson on the rugby field, is physically shorter than Watson (1.80 m, or 5.9 ft). Schalk Burger and Luke Watson combined well as an effective loose forward unit during the 2006 and 2007 seasons, despite an indifferent 2005 season."

I also removed the following, as Watson's subsequent appearance against Samoa in fact does make him a Springbok.

  • "Although Watson was selected in the Springbok training squad, his inclusion does not officially make him a Springbok" DocDee 06:34, 12 June 2007 (UTC)

I replaced the following with material from a newspaper:

  • "Luke Watson's stature surpasses many current and past great open side flankers such as Neil Back of England (1.77 m, or 5.8 ft), Serge Betsen of France (1.82 m, or 5.10 ft) and Richie McCaw of New Zealand (1.87 m, or 6.1 ft)."

I removed the following whose relevance was not clear from the text:

  • "Watson's upper body strength is attested to by his ability to bench-press 160 kg (over 352 lb).[1]"

[edit] Unsubstantiated opinions to be deleted

Statements that are not corroborated by references to existing authoritative texts (i.e. newspapers, books, magazines) should be regarded as opinion and deleted.

I am trying to weed out such statements, which include the following:

"Watson has been sent to Coventry by the Bok team, and is known as "46" by them, this a reference to him being foisted on White as number 46 of the initial 45 Bok selection.Unlike Hougaardt Watson regards a Bok jersey as his right due to his fathers political connections.It is rumoured that members of the Bok team would start to sing "Ag pleeze Daddy" a song recorded and made famous by Jeremy Taylor in the 1960's whenever Watson would enter a room, this a reference to his fathers machinations to secure a Springbok jersey for his son."

Only statements which can be verified should be included. Wikipedia is an encyclopedia, not a blog.DocDee 16:26, 12 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Neutral Point of View Problems

There were several POV problems when I first came across this page, as well as omissions of references.

I am trying to address these problems, and invite all contributors to do the same.

Simply swapping anti-Luke opinions for pro-Luke opinions does not solve either issue.DocDee 16:47, 12 June 2007 (UTC)

I was wondering about this section: When direct political interference finally gave Watson the chance to play for the Springboks against Samoa in 2007, his one-dimensional approach and his inability to adapt to alternative patterns were starkly exposed. [7] [8] White once said of Watson: "I don't think he's a good rugby player. He is a most overrated player.” [9] I don't think the first sentence is justified by the reference. It would be better if replaced with a direct quote from the article referred to. However, I don't want to make any changes without checking with those who have been more involved in this article. Or, if no quote for copyright reasons, then a more accurate paraphrase or summary of coverage. My suggestion would be: "When direct political interference finally gave Watson the chance to play for the Springboks against Samoa in 2007, (some) commentators claimed that his one-dimensional approach and his inability to adapt to alternative patterns were starkly exposed". I don't know if there was a range of coverage, but if so, then an alternative perspective should be quoted too. Going from the comments under the article referred to, there certainly isn't a consensus. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.162.254.219 (talk) 21:05, 10 March 2008 (UTC)