Goosen bides his time
20 Sep 2012
Johan Goosen says Heyneke Meyer has clearly communicated his reasons for delaying giving him a Test start but says that he feels ready to go.
Goosen has shifted into the national consciousness in recent weeks in light of Springboks’ flyhalf incumbent Morné Steyn’s poor form. Meyer had identified Goosen as a successor to Steyn from the outset of his tenure, but injury prevented him from using him earlier. However, with Goosen fit and showing glimpses of his potential in two cameos off the wood against Australia and New Zealand, there are mounting calls for him to replace Steyn for the home leg of the Rugby Championship.
Meyer has held his cards close as far as Steyn’s immediate future is concerned but he certainly has a sense of the pressure he is under to cut the player. He has consistently explained his rationale for holding Goosen back, stressing that how he is introduced into that Test fold will be decisive in shaping the player he will become.
Goosen said, having been briefed on Meyer’s reasoning, he was content with his role at present.
‘The coach has been great in how he has dealt with me. I’ve always known his plans and I believe those plans are in my best interests,’ Goosen told keo.co.za. ‘He has been very careful, especially in terms of my exposure to the media and so on. I’m patient. I know what the purpose of the plan is. But I also feel like I can make the step up to start if the coach asks me to. I feel ready.’
Meyer is unlikely to veer from his kick-chase approach for the Loftus and Soccer City Tests, which brings into question Goosen’s aptitude in executing the skills necessary to succeed within this framework. He is a player who enjoys standing flat to the line, taking that line on himself or keeping ball in hand in a bid to create opportunities for those on his outside. Goosen reckons that he will have to temper his natural instinct slightly if he starts, but scoffed at the notion that Meyer is conservative.
‘Of course you have to be a little more careful about your attacking play in Test rugby, defensive systems are so good and teams punish small errors. But that doesn’t mean the coach doesn’t encourage me to run the ball when it is on,’ he said. ‘I work hard on my tactical kicking, even though we don’t kick that often at the Cheetahs. I feel I can fit into the plans from a kicking perspective. But of course my strength is running the ball. There’s a lot of room for that with the Springboks and the coach encourages us to express ourselves. It is about assessing the opposition’s defensive set up quickly and taking that split second you have to go wide. I think that is the biggest adjustment you have to make from Super Rugby – the time and space you have is so much less.’
Asked what he thought of the vitriol that has been aimed at Steyn in the last week, Goosen said: ‘I feel deeply sorry for him. He is a great guy, so humble and he works so hard in training. He has won many, many Tests for the Boks. He is going through a difficult time now, we all do, and he deserves better than what he is getting from some people and the media.’
By Ryan Vrede
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118 Comments
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20 Sep 2012, 10:31 am
Poor poor Elton…
20 Sep 2012, 10:34 am
His comments on Steyn are spot on.
I support anyone against the Bulls and think Steyn should have been dropped awhile ago, but the vicious comments and attention he’s receiving are completely unjustified to a player that has performed admirably for the Boks in his career.
It’s despicable that way we Saffas lynch our players when they hit bad form.
He doesn’t pick himself either…
20 Sep 2012, 10:36 am
this goosen sounds like he has a solid head on his shoulders.
on the whole he comes across as a well brought up young man but time and pressure will reveal all.
20 Sep 2012, 10:40 am
More “shifting into the national consciousness” from Vrede. All sounds terribly tra-la-la. I’ll be honest, I don’t know much about national consciousness – assume it has to do with crystals and chai tea – but when Fransie fights Sunni Bin, the Kiwis are going to learn a thing or two about national unconsciousness. Float like a butterfly, fall like a cow pat.
20 Sep 2012, 10:46 am
@katman-4: haha, we are all looking forward to that fight immensly!
20 Sep 2012, 10:54 am
@katman-4: hahahaha
20 Sep 2012, 11:04 am
“Meyer is unlikely to veer from his kick-chase approach for the Loftus and Soccer City Tests, which brings into question Goosen’s aptitude in executing the skills necessary to succeed within this framework”
Well, he can hardly be kakker than Stain at it…..
20 Sep 2012, 11:05 am
Credit where credit is due… Heyneke Meyer is right for delaying Goosen’s starting debut for the Boks. The player is young and needs to be brought in gradually so that he becomes comfortable with test rugby. Opposition teams would love the opportunity to target him on defense and ruin our hopes for him. It is therefore crucial he gets some caps under his belt and learns more about test rugby before he is thrown into the deep end.
That being said, Morne Steyn is a liability.. I would prefer Lambie to start in the interim and Goosen to come off the wood. The roles can be reversed after 10 or so caps.
I would also like to see Elton Jantjies get a chance. We are in danger of losing him to an overseas club and possibly even and overseas national team.
20 Sep 2012, 11:10 am
@Kaizan-8: you couldnt be more correct.
20 Sep 2012, 11:14 am
@Kaizan-8: Bollocks. If you’re good enough you’re old enough.
How many tests were Schalla and Frans Steyn “eased” into?
20 Sep 2012, 11:18 am
@Kaizan-8: you are easily impressed. the only reason heyneke is delaying goosen is only for him to brainwash johan like he did morne and turn him into a kicking robot that is rooted in the pocket…
oh, it is true!
‘I can improve a lot as an attacking flyhalf,’ Steyn said, before theorising about the root of his struggles. ‘When I arrived at the Bulls in 2003 I was more of an attacking flyhalf, but coach Heyneke Meyer explained to me that if I wanted to take the step up I needed to improve my tactical kicking game.
‘It’s the kicking that’s doing the job at the moment. The Bulls and Boks play more of a kicking than running game, so it required me to adjust accordingly. But having said that, my running game has suffered as a result. I know I have to grow that area of my game.’
20 Sep 2012, 11:18 am
Between Goosen and Jantjes we have the no.10 jersey well and truly covered. Both offer real attacking play, lots of variation, decent defense and good goal kicking. In other words, both are COMPLETE flyhalfs, not some kind of in-the-pocket kicking specialist.
20 Sep 2012, 11:18 am
@kaizan-8 my heart bleeds for EJ, the guy is brilliant in the CC, dismantling the bulls and then cheetahs almost single handedly.
I also feel for Lambie, he single handedly won the CC final for the sharks at FH 2 seasons back, if he had been given an extended run in the 10 jumper surely he would be world class by now. Look at how the chiefs and ABs have persistently selected cruden, and how confident he is now, sure he is no DC but the ABs dont loose much when he starts
20 Sep 2012, 11:20 am
@rangerman-5: If they don’t change the dates, I am going to be in Durbs to watch the fight, Can’t wait.
20 Sep 2012, 11:21 am
@Transformation-11: how does “improving my tactical kicking game” equate to being a purely kicking flyhalf transie?
methinks you are attempting to lead people here buddy.
20 Sep 2012, 11:22 am
@trupisero-10: Cant compare 10 to 6/7/8 at all. Asking a young guy to start at 10 and basically run the show is very different to asking a tearaway flanker to start.
20 Sep 2012, 11:23 am
@2k3-13: Lambie is the key for me. If we can find a home for Lambie (presumably 15) then we can bring EJ onto the bench and get him game time, then Goosen and him can fight it out for the next 10 years.
20 Sep 2012, 11:24 am
@Zandberg Jansen-14: is the fight in durbs????
i didnt know that, not really being a boxing fan.
where is it being held? i am sure my mates would also like to go haha.
20 Sep 2012, 11:25 am
@Skeppie-17: lambie to 15 and elton on the bench to alternate with goose.
we are blessed to have these three players and should use them sharpish.
20 Sep 2012, 11:26 am
@rangerman-18: They said the 17th Nov. We are waiting for the other details….
20 Sep 2012, 11:28 am
@Zandberg Jansen-20: cool man, please let me know on here if you find out.
20 Sep 2012, 11:28 am
@rangerman-21: Will do.
20 Sep 2012, 11:29 am
@rangerman-19: Agree Jantjies is underrated.
15. Lambie
10. Gooseneck\Jantjies
Morne can play CC.
20 Sep 2012, 11:30 am
@Zandberg Jansen-22: shot.
@blik-23: its great to see most bok fans agree on this.
20 Sep 2012, 11:30 am
@Skeppie-16: Too some extent, but the 10 has the advantage that he can be protected to an extent by his loosies.
The chap coming in at 6/7/8 has nowhere to hide and will certainly be introduced to some skullduggery – the question in both scenarios is how they would handle it?
In Eben’s case, a half-arsed kopstamp – but that won’t affect him mentally other than to remember to put the ******* down next time
20 Sep 2012, 11:34 am
Yes, goose, you tell them….
meyer has a coherent plan on how to develope and introduce his players to the greater squad.
@Transformation-11:
What bollocks….improving one aspect of your game is not an excuse to neglect another. You need to be able to attack and kick, sure a player has a specific strengh but that does not mean another aspect should become a specific weakness.
20 Sep 2012, 11:36 am
@trupisero-25: haha, i think sharpe is quite happy he will probably never play etsebeth again.
that kid is a scary b a s tard, he should come play for the sharks and get some silverware.
20 Sep 2012, 11:36 am
@rangerman-19: Agreed 100 % Three important, dynamic players for the Boks . Jantjies should have come off the bench in the PE test already but Meyer cant ignore him forever. Steyn to Currie Cup or France or Japan. He had a great early Bok career with seasoned, legendary players all around him.
20 Sep 2012, 11:37 am
@trupisero-10:
schalla played a handful of games in 2003 worldcup as a supersub if memory serves correctly.
Frans Steyn likewise as a supersub on the Wing?
Both of those players had more game time accumulated than Goosen before getting full starts.
So, basically….kak examples in this instance.
20 Sep 2012, 11:37 am
If Lambie feels he is more suited to flyhalf then he needs to move to a franchise where he can play flyhalf, even if htat means a move overseas!!
20 Sep 2012, 11:38 am
@rangerman-15: i think comprehension is failing you
why are you asking me and not wondering why morne would give that answer when asked why he never attacks the line or play flat?
leifling never attacked the line, morne never attacks the line, francois brummer while at the bulls never attacked the line, the only thing in common with all these players is they were brainswashed by heyneke meyer!
look at brummer now at griquas, the boy is flourishing, back to his Baby Bok best attacking play, inter-changing with willie le roux cutting fools up!
20 Sep 2012, 11:38 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl-26: transie is just stirring as usual
20 Sep 2012, 11:41 am
@trupisero-25: Its more the mental pressure than anything physical. Schalla was always a huge talent and could come in and throw himself around from day one. But asking a new 10 with very little senior rugby experience to come in and run the game, direct play, make calls etc is very different. That said I would still start him next weekend.
20 Sep 2012, 11:41 am
@Spiesisworthless1-28: and no fdp to make decisions for him anymore.
“why are you asking me and not wondering why morne would give that answer when asked why he never attacks the line or play flat?”
why why why
its no wonder i am battling with you.
your post is a lot of emotional nonsense. think about it for a while and return with a cogent argument.
20 Sep 2012, 11:41 am
@race of tan-30: you need to keep up with the press mate,
LAmbie played 15 because of the Boks request and also he played there at the Sharks as he was injured a lot this season, Freddy had great form and Ludik and Viljoen at the time were not playing well, Plum felt the need to have both Freddy and Lambie on the field at the same time,
Since then Freddy has moved on and Plum has come out stating Lambie is a 10 and at the Sharks will only be playing there
20 Sep 2012, 11:44 am
@rangerman-27:
He’s already got a conference trophy, which is a step up from the CC.
20 Sep 2012, 11:46 am
@Transformation-31:
and yet Brummer will not make a superrugby squad? And the spears prefer to sign a greek even?
maybe playing rugby for the griquas isn’t quite the calibre we are looking to guage players at.
20 Sep 2012, 11:46 am
@David-36: haha, a conference trophy a step up from the cc?
only in CT buddy
20 Sep 2012, 11:47 am
@Transformation-31: I agree, remember what happened to Derick Hougaard!
20 Sep 2012, 11:47 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl-37: hahahaha, transie got owned there.
20 Sep 2012, 11:49 am
Lambie will play 10 for the Sharks… HM can jump… He prefers sideshow bob anyway…
20 Sep 2012, 11:50 am
@sharks_lover-35: The sharks have destroyed alot players with their shuffling them around all the time, best example Brent Russel
20 Sep 2012, 11:53 am
@rangerman-38:
So if the S15 conference is inferior to the CC, that makes the Lions a superior side to the Sharks, doesn’t it?
20 Sep 2012, 11:53 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl-37: The same Griquas that owned the Blue Bulls this past week
20 Sep 2012, 11:54 am
@2k3-42: didnt brent go to the stormers where he was shuffled more than a deck of cards in a casino?
what about gio? wing or fullback?
peter grant, center or 10?
lets not talk about schalk brits or the wp backrow shall we?
wake up and stop the braai talk please.
20 Sep 2012, 11:57 am
@David-43: lol david i knew you would pursue this mindless grasping reasoning.
pat pat (on your head) dont worry davey, you have silverware ok?
even if it isnt silverware for winning an actual competition
20 Sep 2012, 12:02 pm
Luke Watson to skipper Kings
2012-09-20 10:24
SARU names Blitzbokke squad Bok boost for Sharks Police v Rovers in club final Cape Town – Southern Kings coach Alan Solomons has confirmed that flank Luke Watson will be the first-choice captain when the team makes their Super Rugby debut in 2013.
Watson currently captains the EP Kings in the Currie Cup First Division.
According to the keo-co.za website, Watson missed the opening rounds of this year’s Currie Cup competition due to a shoulder operation and a quad strain, but he has shown tremendous form in his four appearances, scoring eight tries.
“Luke is a player that will score plenty of tries for your team,” said Solomon. “But it’s his general play that has been very impressive. He’s been in great form since coming back from injury.”
Solomons went as far as to say that Watson could add value to the Springboks, especially seeing as there’s currently no consensus regarding South Africa’s loose forward trio.
“Luke has proven he is a quality player and he can make an impact at a higher level, but it’s up to (Springbok coach) Heyneke Meyer to decide on who he wants to use in his team.”
20 Sep 2012, 12:04 pm
@rangerman-46:
If it wasn’t a competition, there wouldn’t be a trophy, would there? The fact that the Sharks didn’t win it doesn’t make it go away. Don’t worry Ranger, I understand the perpetual inferiority complex you guys in KZN battle with, even when you win something.
20 Sep 2012, 12:06 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl-37: after years of brainwashing pote has to rescucitate to boy…let’s bet brummer will be back up to goosen next year S15!
20 Sep 2012, 12:07 pm
@rangerman-45: Black and White, nothing else matters *yawn*
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