12-08-2005, 07:51 AM
Former Sharks coach Kevin Putt has issued an unconditional apology to Victor Matfield, the Springboks and South African rugby for unwittingly causing the "steel arm-guard rumpus" by comments he made on New Zealand television.
Speaking exclusively to The Mercury from his new home in Hamilton, New Zealand, Putt said he was horrified at the drama he had "accidentally caused".
"Quite rightly, I am the villain of the piece. I was on this rugby show in New Zealand giving my opinion on the Springbok victory last week," he said.
"When asked about the Kelleher incident (he was knocked out in a tackle by Matfield) I suggested that the tackle was not late. When pressed I suggested that if they were to look for any fault the only question would be about the steel plate in his arm - this was a gaffe by me because I had meant to say 'fibreglass', not steel, which he wears as protection for an old injury.
'I suggested that the tackle was not late'
"The slip obviously has had a huge impact. Thankfully, it was immediately dismissed as laughable by both the Boks and Kiwis, and quite rightly. The only person with egg on their face is myself. Apologies again."
Putt's comments on the show showed that he is far from bitter towards South Africa. Viewers asked about the show said that he had been highly positive about the Bok performance.
"Yes, I was very impressed. I told viewers that Jake was getting it right with his loose forward and centre revamp, and that SA rugby is going to get better as more of the youth champions come through," he said.
"We have already seen this with Jean de Villiers, Enrico Januarie, Bryan Habana, Gary Botha, Clyde Rathbone and Ashwin Willemse."
As for the comments Putt made that he had been informed about the "steel plate" by John Smit a few years ago, Putt said: "When I first started with the Sharks I do remember John expressing concern about Matfield's arm cover and how solid it was. John did not mention the word steel.
"I may have joked about 'steel', but to suggest he wears it for hurting people and that he has gone about 30 Tests with it in and now suddenly it is a weapon, is madness.
"Ask John, though. I would still say the opposition would not be ecstatic about the protective brace he wears, but the rest is sensationalism by the media."
Putt has taken up a three-year coaching contract with National Provincial Championship team Counties Manakua.
"I am seriously stoked about the performances of the Sharks in the Currie Cup. Long may their success continue," he said.
The Boks arrived in Perth on yesterday morning and have taken up residence at the exclusive Burswood Casino complex.
Speaking exclusively to The Mercury from his new home in Hamilton, New Zealand, Putt said he was horrified at the drama he had "accidentally caused".
"Quite rightly, I am the villain of the piece. I was on this rugby show in New Zealand giving my opinion on the Springbok victory last week," he said.
"When asked about the Kelleher incident (he was knocked out in a tackle by Matfield) I suggested that the tackle was not late. When pressed I suggested that if they were to look for any fault the only question would be about the steel plate in his arm - this was a gaffe by me because I had meant to say 'fibreglass', not steel, which he wears as protection for an old injury.
'I suggested that the tackle was not late'
"The slip obviously has had a huge impact. Thankfully, it was immediately dismissed as laughable by both the Boks and Kiwis, and quite rightly. The only person with egg on their face is myself. Apologies again."
Putt's comments on the show showed that he is far from bitter towards South Africa. Viewers asked about the show said that he had been highly positive about the Bok performance.
"Yes, I was very impressed. I told viewers that Jake was getting it right with his loose forward and centre revamp, and that SA rugby is going to get better as more of the youth champions come through," he said.
"We have already seen this with Jean de Villiers, Enrico Januarie, Bryan Habana, Gary Botha, Clyde Rathbone and Ashwin Willemse."
As for the comments Putt made that he had been informed about the "steel plate" by John Smit a few years ago, Putt said: "When I first started with the Sharks I do remember John expressing concern about Matfield's arm cover and how solid it was. John did not mention the word steel.
"I may have joked about 'steel', but to suggest he wears it for hurting people and that he has gone about 30 Tests with it in and now suddenly it is a weapon, is madness.
"Ask John, though. I would still say the opposition would not be ecstatic about the protective brace he wears, but the rest is sensationalism by the media."
Putt has taken up a three-year coaching contract with National Provincial Championship team Counties Manakua.
"I am seriously stoked about the performances of the Sharks in the Currie Cup. Long may their success continue," he said.
The Boks arrived in Perth on yesterday morning and have taken up residence at the exclusive Burswood Casino complex.