Kings: Luke is 'backing' the boys
Kevin Luiters, speaking to rugby365 after disgruntled players handed over a petition to Eastern Province Rugby Union President Cheeky Watson, said they are working towards finding a solution for "all players, not just some individuals".
Luke Watson, son of the EPRU boss, was seen talking to his teammates before they went into the meeting with Watson senior.
His son, Luke, has been caught between a rock and a hard place – his obvious family loyalty and his support for his teammates.
"According to Luke he is backing the boys," Luiters told rugby365 in an interview after the dramatic events of the day unfolded in Port Elizabeth.
"He [Luke Watson] would just like us to take the right measures in approaching the situation."
Luiters said they, as players, would like to get a sponsor on board that caters to the best interest of the management and the players.
"Regardless of top level management, our cause is for the players' best interest, so that everybody are able to find a solution – not a rescue plan, but a solution – as to how we combat the situation."
Watson senior has also been under fire from within the EP Rugby Union club ranks, but won a stay of execution when an Extraordinary Special General Meeting of the EPRU was postponed at the 11th hour last month.
One of the players' demands in the petition they handed over to Watson senior on Monday was that an Extraordinary/Special General Meeting of the EPRU – to vote for or against the current executive – must be held before December 12.
While the players are obviously disillusioned with the executive powers of the EPRU – given that players have not been paid for the past three months – Luiters said it is not in the players' hands to decide on management structures in the union.
He also carefully sidestepped the question of whether they want Watson senior removed from office.
"Who knows what would happen with the AGM [special general meeting] and what would result from that," the scrumhalf told rugby365.
"The result of the AGM is not within the players' power.
"We would just like to have a solution where Eastern Province [Kings] can be a force in the world."
He added that there will be meetings where the players will strategize on the way forward.
However, they are "standing firm" by the petition they handed over on Monday.
"Regardless of whatever may come our way, in terms of [SARU/Super Rugby] contracts, we will adhere to and honour the petition we signed."
He also denied that there is a stand-off between the Kings players and the South African Rugby Players' Association, as was alluded by the EPRU to in an earlier statement.
"SARPA has its players and its best interest at heart," Luiters told rugby365, adding: We also know that SARPA is basically representing SARU.
"For us it is all about the players.
"One player's success in a situation like this doesn't mean anything to the collective," he said of suggestions that only a small percentage of the current Kings players will get Super Rugby contracts from SARU.
"We need to come up with a solution for all," he said, adding: "For us [players] a solution for one is not suitable for the cause of the group."
The COLLECTIVE PLAYER STATEMENT in full:
"I hereby confirm that I am joining the EP Rugby Funding Petition and Rugby Player Strike.
"I will not be prepared to work for EP Rugby Pty Limited, Eastern Province Rugby Union (EPRU) or Southern Kings Pty Limited, SA Rugby Pty Limited or SARU (acting on behalf of SANZAR or EPRU) or any associated companies until such time as there is an Annual General Meeting or Extraordinary/Special General Meeting of the EPRU in order that the order of business is as follows:
1. An irrevocable pledge by EPRU and SARU that all players' outstanding salaries and benefits are fully paid up on or before the 18th December 2015.
2. A vote by member clubs in favour, or not in favour of the current EPRU Executive Committee on or before the 12th December 2015.
3. Credible and competent rugby turnaround specialists be permitted to present proposals of a sustainable funding model in association with the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality on or before Friday the 11th December 2015.
4. A vote of confidence by the EPRU Clubs in the new proposal and administration and management leadership to take place on or before Saturday the 12th December."
By Jan de Koning
@King365ed
@rugby365com
* Interview with EPRU club representative courtesy of Stuart Weir.
