Lizo's move to the Bulls a 'pure rugby decision'

25 November 2015 - 02:35 By Chumani Bambani

Prop Lizo Gqoboka, described as a "diamond" by Blue Bulls coach Nollis Marais, says his decision to leave the Kings had nothing to do with the union's financial fiasco. Gqoboka was among the first in an exodus of players from the Kings amid the cash crisis that saw players and staff going for months without being paid their salaries."Even if the difficulties did not exist at the Kings I would have still made the move," he stressed."It was not about the money. I was quite fine. I was going to survive regardless. The move was a pure rugby decision," Gqoboka, 25, said yesterday, a week after the Ntabankulu-born front-rower arrived at Loftus.He was at the forefront of an intense training session in the blistering heat of the capital city."It was really tough times to have players, management and staff not getting paid. It was always tough to go out and play when, even if you had been paid, you knew that some of your teammates had not ."Marais raved about the player, predicting he would turn up in the the national team next year."Lizo is already making a huge difference," Marais said."He is an exceptional player. He is the first player that I signed after taking over. I brought a diamond here to Loftus. I think he is definitely going to play for the Boks next year."Gqoboka has been invited to be part of Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer's training squad on a couple of occasions."He's a brilliant rugby player - his attitude, his work ethic. I definitely think my first signing was a brilliant signing."Representing the country is also high on Gqoboka's agenda. "That is definitely a dream - to become a Springbok, " he said."I'll certainly work towards that, but the Bulls come first right now."Marais has also lured winger Luther Obi from the Kings and the 22-year-old will start training with the Bulls today.Negotiations for the signatures of loose forwards Tim Agaba and Thembelani Bholi, as well as utility back Sylvian Mahuza, all from the Kings, are still ongoing."I believe a bright decision for Tim Agaba would be a Bulls move," Marais said...

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