Rugby
New WP 'respect': Habana
Cape Town -- Bryan Habana officially signed up on two-year terms with Western Province on Friday, in a move hailed by Province CEO Rob Wagner as “invaluably assisting us in our drive for trophies”.
At a media opportunity at Newlands, Wagner said they were “elated and privileged” to have the popular former Bulls flier join the fold.
“We have acquired a massive asset, both on the field and off it.”
Director of coaching Rassie Erasmus, meanwhile, said: “Six months ago if you’d given me one choice of a player to sign I’d have named Bryan Habana.
“I’m ecstatic he’s signed our contract. I’ve played against him and coached against him and he just has that X-factor.
“The team will benefit enormously from his presence.”
The Springbok wing gave short, separate interviews - supervised by his father and manager Bernie - to selected journalists, including Sport24 chief writer Rob Houwing, who asked him:
After hoisting the Currie Cup with the Blue Bulls last weekend, were you tempted toward any feeling of “what have I done?” by quitting such a successful franchise?
Yeah, obviously it was a little bit emotional. They’ve been my life for five years; I’d been part of the woodwork. So there was sadness, but at the same time it felt fitting to leave in the fashion I did, winning the cup and helping with two tries. It’s never easy leaving anything successful but I know I’ve made the right decision for me, Bryan … don’t forget I’d made up my mind two and a half months ago. The Bulls has been an unbelievable chapter of (my life); I was saying goodbye to a family. I’m moving on to one of the most beautiful places in the world and something different and exciting.
Is it correct to observe that the Bulls players and fans have generally accepted your decision to go with good grace?
Look, a couple of guys up there might still feel I haven’t made the right decision, but the send-off I’ve had in the last month and the sentiments I’ve received from players and supporters alike have really been amazing. I’ve given everything I could possibly give to the Bulls for five years, and hopefully the memories I’ve left will mean something to them. I think they really respect me as a rugby player, never mind any Bulls or Western Province jersey.
Is it accurate to say that Newlands acquires a player very much at the peak of his powers?
Ja, I said to Rassie (Erasmus) that I’m not coming here to be some sort of “saving grace” that WP might be looking for. There’s guys like Jaque Fourie also coming down so there’s heaps of potential … Province were one high tackle away from getting into a home final, remember. Taking aside my presence, there are strong ingredients in this recipe; Jaque and I will just add to it. It’s been a good year, 2009 … the previous one wasn’t quite what I was looking for by my standards, I guess. With the help of the guys I’ve had around me over the last 16 months or so I’ve been able to find myself again and I’m enjoying my rugby. I want to make a difference here.
There’s a lobby who may always contend that, considering your talents, you are occasionally “wasted” out on the left wing: with Rassie Erasmus not afraid of positional experimentation, might you be seen sometimes in other spots on the park for the Stormers and WP?
I don’t think the plan for me will change too much. There are a lot of fantastic players in various positions here – you’ve got a guy like Fabian Juries having signed up. I believe he was one of the exciting finds of the Currie Cup, even if he’s a little bit older. Jaque Fourie is probably the best centre in the world at the moment, and Juan de Jongh was most promising player of the year. Joe Pietersen had a great Currie Cup and was highly recommended as player of the year. So I’m here to lend as much experience and know-how as I can; help some youngsters. I believe that someone like Dewaldt Duvenage is in the same sort of mould as Fourie du Preez and given the right mentoring can become one of the best scrumhalves in the country and world. So there’s lots of potential, but I definitely see myself personally as a wing at the moment. Hopefully my work-rate both on and off the field really assists players in other positions.
If you had to choose one team as main stumbling block to the Stormers in 2010, would it still be the Bulls?
(Laughter) Yeah, it’s going to be tough playing them at Newlands in the Super 14! But the Stormers showed at Loftus in this year’s competition, with a great performance by Luke Watson, that they’ve really overcome any mindset issues by only losing by four points to a full-strength Bulls at a packed stadium. Of course they showed in the Currie Cup what they are capable of, too. But any team in the world is going to find it difficult playing the Bulls … ask the Chiefs in the 2009 final. But the Province-Bulls sort of rivalry goes back decades, so it’s not a special stumbling block, even if the Bulls are probably the best rugby team in the world at the moment.
Does the favourable Super 14 draw for the Stormers, with the extra home match and shorter tour next year, give you extra hope they’ll be semi-finalists?
You don’t want to (jump the gun). I’ve learnt through past experience in Super rugby that you can’t look beyond your next game. Let’s first get into camp in December and see how it goes … I’ve first got to meet up with all the players. I’m coming here as an uncapped Province player, the ‘newby’: even Juan de Jongh has 20-odd more Currie Cup caps! I’ve got to learn to be a part of this set-up and embrace this culture. Whether the draw is favourable or unfavourable … I mean, the Bulls have won the title off two unfavourable draws. It emphasises my game-for-game point.
Was there any feeling of “new respect” in the Bulls dressing room after Province had come so close in the Currie Cup semi?
Definitely. The guys’ bodies were certainly a bit sore and we were really happy about having that extra week off before the final against the Cheetahs. Province really ran out that day and proved their worth. They showed, for instance, that that old “softest tight five in the country” (label) was really not the case at all. A lot of respect was given and, like I said, Province were one high tackle away from the final. They’re developing a great squad, with some nice signings, if you throw in young Lionel Cronje from the Free State as well. It’s a good mix.
From a lifestyle point of view, what will be the biggest impact on you in terms of adjustment to Cape Town culture?
I suppose getting to grips with the weather! A little bit wetter and colder than the Highveld. But it’s an amazing, cosmopolitan city, one of the nicest on the planet on a great day. You don’t get much better. I’ll probably miss the thunderstorms and the quick, 45-minute rain showers up north … but there have got to be reasons so many international people set up homes in Cape Town. It’s a vibrant and happening place, and we’re very excited about the switch.
