Goosen’s time comes
26 Sep 2012
Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer has selected Johan Goosen at flyhalf for the Rugby Championship Test against the Wallabies on Saturday.
Keo.co.za reported yesterday that Goosen would start but Meyer surprised by completely omitting Steyn from his 22, selecting the uncapped Elton Janjties as pivot cover.
Asked about his decision to leave Steyn out, Meyer said: ‘This was very difficult, but I looked at what the team needed first and then at the impact on the individual. At Loftus, where he has played well, it is a big call. But he accepted it graciously. I feel it is in his best interest that he doesn’t play. He’ll fight back.’
Meyer said he had contemplated including Steyn’s on the bench but was dissuaded from this course of action because of the potential to expose an already under pressure player. ‘It isn’t going to help him to bring him on with 20 minutes and he ends up having to kick the game-winning or game-losing goal. I either back him 100% or not. That’s the decision I had to take,’ Meyer said.
Meyer also dispelled the perception that Goosen’s natural attacking instinct would be reigned in to come in line with a game plan that is widely perceived as conservative. He explained that a sharp assessment of the state of the defensive line was key in determining what action to take.
‘There’s a misconception that Goosen must fit into a rigid structure. He has the freedom to play the situation as he sees it,’ he said. ‘But this is not Currie Cup rugby where you have space and time. I’ve said to him to go out and express himself, that’s why I picked him. He must determine when it is on to go wide or take the safer option.’
He added: ‘People have to be realistic though, you can’t expect a 20-year-old to win the game on his own.’
Elsewhere Frans Steyn (who’s struggling with an ankle injury) is bracketed with Jaco Taute in the midfield. The Lions youngster will make his debut in the No 13 jersey if Frans Steyn fails to recover, with skipper Jean de Villiers taking over at inside centre.
‘I want two experienced guys on either side of Johan. Jaco was very good at 13 in Super Rugby,’ Meyer said in explaining this move.
The medical staff were highly optimistic about Steyn’s availability on Tuesday evening but he rolled the same ankle in Wednesday’s training session. A call on his availability will be made after the captain’s practice on Friday afternoon.
In other changes Andries Bekker and Eben Etzebeth unseat Juandre Kruger and Flip van der Merwe in the second row. ‘There is great competition at lock now,’ Meyer said. ‘Flip played his best Test ever against the All Blacks and Juandre was very good as well.
‘It was a horses for courses change there. Australia are very good at lineout time and we want to exert pressure on them there. I feel that Eben, Andries and Duane is a good combination to achieve that, as well as a little more mobile which is crucial as Australia will play expansively. Also Andries is a little more experienced and in 50-50 calls like this I always go with the more experienced guy.
Probed on why Taute had leapfrogged Juan de Jongh in the pecking order, Meyer said: ‘Jaco would have been in the squad earlier had he not been injured. He is 106kg and runs the 100m in 10.7. So I looked at the way Australia defend and thought we could exploit that [better with Taute]. I can’t elaborate on that because we’re talking game plan then. It’s a tough call on Juan.’
Coenie Oosthuizen comes onto the bench after a neck injury in the only other change to the bench.
Springboks – 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Bryan Habana, 13 Jean de Villiers, 12 Frans Steyn/Jaco Taute, 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Duane Vermuelen, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Beast Mtawarira.
Subs: 16 Tiaan Liebenberg, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Marcel Coetzee, 20 Elton Jantjies, 21 Jaco Taute/Juan de Jongh, 22 Pat Lambie.
By Ryan Vrede, in Johannesburg
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582 Comments
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26 Sep 2012, 21:07 pm
@greatest13gerber-498: Michael Du Plessis prince of centres. Boetie prince of wings.
26 Sep 2012, 21:52 pm
Probably the best 22 he has selected thus far!!!
Unfortunately if they play the skop and jaag then it doesn’t matter who he picks…
Glad Morne has gone and I hope for good too. I read how certain people were commenting that we were going to lose now, but we have been losing with him anyway. I hope Goosen makes a statement and a name for himself. He is a super talent.
If I were Lambie, I would leave and play overseas. He has become another bench warmer and is way better than Nicknaks… Taute also better in 15 jersey…
26 Sep 2012, 22:03 pm
Poor Kirchner. First it was Spies, then Steyn and now Kirchner. Who will be next? Will the Cape biased media turn against their captain de Villiers or Bekker or will they go for the last Bulls player in the team, Hougaard.
Must say I am glad Steyn and Spies is gone, and Kirchner should be next. Will not even pick him for my Bulls team. Ralepele, Juandre Kruger, Arno Botha, Hougaard, Venter and Serfontein and a string of others is the Bulls future and we are now playing with heros because they played with Matfield, Bakkies, Fdp, etc and not because they played on the same level.
Hopefully Sharks keep backing Lambie as their flyhalf and Stormers get Jantjies then the Bulls can go for Goosen. The province that signs him will dominate SA rugby for the next 5 years.
26 Sep 2012, 22:11 pm
@Gumboots-552:
Howzit Bill. Things are slowly taking shape in the Bok set-up. The guys in the team now know that there is serious pressure on their places. Especially after another of their favourite sons got dumped on the scrap heap.
I’ve been saying for a while that if you give a Bull enough rope, he’ll hang himself. That was after the first squad announement. The good news is that HM has seen daylight. And with Goosen there at 10, I hope it’s a great new dawn. Goosen is not Morne in disguise. He will play his natural game. There will be more Bok changes along the way. and the players now know it.
The thing is, the players on the field could’ve won both away matches against Aus and NZ.
The next 2 saturdays are no different. The players have got to go out there and perform. And not make crucial errors. That is why HM is going through the walkie-talkies at a rate of knots.
26 Sep 2012, 22:31 pm
Juan smith set to sign a lucrative contract in franch… Reportedly playing for top 14 side bayonne from next year… They are hot on his achilles heels to sign him and he is eager to go albeit cheetahs can match his multi million rand offer?
26 Sep 2012, 22:32 pm
This is brilliant, haven’t taken this much interest in a starting debut of a young prodigy player since Jonah. Then Jonah took a few tests to find his feet so just hoping Goosen does the basics well for starters, but its great to see him get a start.
26 Sep 2012, 22:40 pm
@I am a stormer-554:
Howzit Boet! I hope Goosen goes and plays his natural game. I feel for the Bull supporters and understand their concern. They are not like Stormer supporters who support through thick and thin. Loftus gets very empty if they are not performing. They have been great in the past and have shown to be a champion side. Unfortunately, there is something wrong at Loftus but I’m sure the brains trust will fix it…
26 Sep 2012, 22:40 pm
@Te Rangatira-556:
And Jonah never ran a try passed the Boks. My money says Goosen will – eventually. Over time.
A lot of us are talking him up because he is a breath of fresh air and should bring a new dimension into Bok play. The Bok outside backs need good front foot ball and by Goosen taking it flatter it will bring them into play. As they say, a change is as good as a holiday. And i’m up for that.
26 Sep 2012, 22:47 pm
@Gumboots-557:
Are you going on Sat? I’m there like a bear. We’re doing the warm-up routine at Eastwoods before the game.
Last time I was at Loftus, it wasn’t empty. There was blue and white everywhere.
By the way, I think Heyneke is doing ok with the current Bok loose trio. Flo makes a difference. But Brussow i reckon needs a bit more game time after his injury.
26 Sep 2012, 22:48 pm
@I am a stormer-558:
Well if Goosen can excite the fans as much as Jonah did then I’m all for that and if he brings an improvement to the Bok set-up which undoubtedly I believe he will , therefore Rugby in general is the winner
26 Sep 2012, 22:49 pm
I am the happiest oke o the Planet with this M Steyn axing….
Been sying for 2 years the main problems with Boks were M Steyn, Spies and Smit…..
Thank heavens they gone…..
Time for a bright new era…….it can only get better…the drivel Boks have played since 2010 has been an embaressment…..
Love the changes…….a few more subtle tweaks and Kiwis beware….!
26 Sep 2012, 22:55 pm
@grant10-561:
I listened to one of your heroes a couple of weeks back.
The one and only John Smit.
One thing John said was that Francois Louw was in the form of his life. And soon after that, Flo got a phone call.
Who you gonna thank?
26 Sep 2012, 22:56 pm
@I am a stormer-559:
No I’m not going. Have family down and need to entertain. Would love to have gone…
You must enjoy and the last time I was there it was really fun too…
26 Sep 2012, 22:59 pm
@grant10-561:
I think you are right, all the ingredients in terms of players is beginning to come together, now just have to see what method of cooking Meyer will use to produce the complete dish.
26 Sep 2012, 22:59 pm
@I am a stormer-562: Go read the blog about 2 to 3 weeks before F Louw was called up….
See who called for his selection here on keo…
who you gonna thank?
26 Sep 2012, 23:03 pm
@Te Rangatira-564: I reckon Heyneke is getting it right slowy but surely….I am still not convinced at 9….13….
We will be helleva strong when Bissy [ future captain I reckon ] is back as well….throw in JP Pietersen as well……
Goosen will never be a M Steyn clone…..not in his DNA…..
Exciting times ….I am enthusiastic for the first time since 2010 about Boks….and it really is a relief…
26 Sep 2012, 23:04 pm
@grant10-565:
Did you also have breakfast with John? Take any photos?
26 Sep 2012, 23:08 pm
@I am a stormer-567: LOL
I am sure both John and I would rather have root canal treatment than spend time in each others company….
cheers
outta here
26 Sep 2012, 23:08 pm
@grant10-566:
I’m happy for you Grant,Meyer has been a little slow on the uptake with his player selections and is starting to find his feet. I think playing at Loftus has given him that security he needed to make the necessary adjustments to his starting 15. Yes exciting times for you and BOK supporters.
26 Sep 2012, 23:48 pm
@RL-481:
Goosen and Jantjies were hardly superstars at u20 level… They were both average in piss poor baby bok teams.
Goosen’s team included:
Jaco Taute (who got bumbed by the English midget en route to the winning try)
Paul Jordaan (who dropped the ball in the last move of the match)
Francois Venter (the star of the show)
Arno Botha
Siya Kolisi
Nizaam Carr
Eben Etsebeth
one of the Marais at the Sharks
27 Sep 2012, 01:43 am
****** One change and the whole of SA feels like it is a new era. What we should take from the change is that HM didnt just put Morne on the bench which is what I thought he would have done with all he emotions attached, but he has smartly taken it a step further, and thought of the possiblity,
What happens if he comes on as a sub, and has a pressure kick and fails? What detrement would that cause on the guy? Brilliant questions. So to leave him out is the most logical solution and to do that with all the emotions of having that relationship at club rugby, takes serious but important gonadies decissions.
I think that shows tremendous strength from the coach and we might have a great in the making. Morne is not ****, He is a result of his club and national team abusing him for years, simply to save their own skins. No player can keep it up year on year and with these unprofessional organisations….! He has saved the Boks many a time, and letting him fight back for the position is as fair as it gets. Inform is key and who knows, what these next two kids will really be like, they could be poo for all we know. Time will tell. A true decision on them cant be until next yr at test level, so from the next two games question marks should still remain.
I am not sure on the lock change as the other 2 did tremendous, a second outing together would help their solidarity. Bekker doesnt do it for me. Something there i need to put my finger on. But maybe being injury prone, it may be better to replace such a player than to use as a replacement. That Rrrrussian fella whats his name ,”Eben…ptttth…Etzebeth” .He so far didnt seem match fit.
It appears Lambie has been given the cold shoulder, like so many others hyped by the media so such heights, the only way is crash, tumbling down. A very sad story. Who really knows, Jantjies might be the quota player that has excluded Lambie from playing on Sat thanks to some recent racial political **** from our belovered polititions and their puppet. Lets all hope not and its all merit.
Lambie is still a child he can hang around SA for another year, then as people have mentioned, leggit where the dosh is. The whole Michalak scenario seems to have messed Lambies chances no doubt. Another beautiful reason why i think a Zero tolorance for teams should be implemented. The Sharks club can pat themselves on the back for this, sticking the chap at fullback certainly didnt help Little Lamb Chops chances.
But the strongest message is certainly the dropping of Steyn. Thee old boys neeed this wake up call, Jon Smit and Co got far too comfortable which should never have happened. Hungry young players do set standards.
As Magic Jonhson once said while preparing for the “Dream Team” @ 92 Olympics, ” theres a new kid on the block” admitting that Jordan had supassed him. God bless that man… A true Ledgend
27 Sep 2012, 02:40 am
@Dawn-233: Sorry Dawn was done in a moment of anger against our rubbish ex Kiwi Cooper who should not get near any rugby Union team. He is just ****!
27 Sep 2012, 02:54 am
@nama1-439: Noticed the same thing, makes one wonder. Strange that over here M Steyn is not seen as a player without heart or a bad defender. He is solid in the basics much like Kirchner. But every team needs a reliable goal kicker and he has not been that lately. I would pick him in our team before Cooper – but then I would pick anyone before Cooper.
27 Sep 2012, 07:24 am
@Greenies-571:
i dont know who magic jordan or johnson is..?.. legend?
i would bet very few people know these guys.
27 Sep 2012, 07:52 am
@mxhosa-570: Like most things in life, it doesn’t matter what happened before, but only what you do now that matters. Most of those players have become great players, Jordaan is white hot in terms of his form, Siya has become an exciting talent, Taute has come into his own, and who the hell is Froncios Venter? Just goes to show, doing well at u/20 doens’t mean you will rock at senior level.
27 Sep 2012, 07:54 am
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-574: Stop living under a rock…
27 Sep 2012, 07:55 am
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-574: Do you not know who Magic Johnson is? He was a great basket ball player before Jordan became a star. Was an amazing passer of the ball.
27 Sep 2012, 07:59 am
@goodstuff-575: Francois Venter is the only one in the current Bulls backline worth a damn.
@mxhosa-570: I don’t really agree with that. Etzebeth, Kolisi and Carr were the stars in that team. Francois Venter, the most hyped of the lot, was really average. Taute suffered because he got horrible ball, except for when Venter was skipped. Venter was doing crash-and-bash-no-brains rugby.
27 Sep 2012, 08:02 am
@lepel-578: Now that I think about it, I do recall a venter popping up during that game this weekend.
Etzebeth will be a rugby great if he stays clear of serious injuries and learnes from a senior player. We need Bakkies to teach this kid the ropes!
27 Sep 2012, 08:07 am
@lepel-576:
just sayin
one mans legend is another mans nobody.
@goodstuff-577:
ok thank you,
i do not think many people would know anything about this guy. basketball is not a popular sport and probably only played in america by the looks of it.
27 Sep 2012, 08:37 am
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-580: Nah, basket ball is just not popular with rugby fans as it is in my oppinion a lesser sport, but it is popular world wide with countries like russia, china, countries europe and south america playing it as well. It is one of the Olympic games competitions.
But there are few superstars in sport history like Micheal Jordan, a player who dominated everybody he played against. His team the Chicago Bulls won the NBA like 7-9 times or something while he was there.
27 Sep 2012, 09:02 am
@W.P-364: you are so provincially biast you are actually completely unaware that you are describing Andries Bekker while talking about Kruger. Do your self a favour go and check the stats Krugers workrate is far far higher than Bekkers. He was also the best 5 lock from SA in this years S15 tournament, but I guess someone like you would not know this because you only watch stormers games and not the rest to be able to actually make a true comment. Kruger played a fundamental role in the forwards charge against NZ so anybody who would like to point out that he is scared of the physical go watch the games again and then ou go watch the games Bekker played and then you will clearly see who’s the p#ssy!
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