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, 17:07 pm
@nama1-398: how many caps does flip have? and of those how many decent games has he had?
i count dunedin as 1
26 Sep 2012, 17:08 pm
@gunther-387:
Enough people out there on the bash-kirchner-wagon already.
Not enough space for me to get on as well.
26 Sep 2012, 17:10 pm
So why can’t they play deJongh at centre and Taute at fullback? It makes no sense hanging on to Zane who is average at best and offers nothing on attack. I’d rather have two attacking players in deJongh and Taute. And both of them are sound on defense.
26 Sep 2012, 17:11 pm
@Transformation-391:
He persisted with Morne a game too long. Besides the goal kicking and the non-performance of Greyling, there were positives to be taken from the Dunedin game. Players now realise that every test is important. Especially some like JDV who is not a long term captain and also running out of road as a Bok when it comes to form.
26 Sep 2012, 17:13 pm
@kwas-403:
We couldn’t expect too many changes.
One bombshell was enough today.
26 Sep 2012, 17:13 pm
@nama1-398:
Agh we all know where you are coming from buddy.
The mix is about right I’d say.
Zane will probably be the next to go.
Bulls are nowhere right now.
26 Sep 2012, 17:14 pm
@Transformation-401:
He played his 18th test against the All Blacks.
So, make that 1 good performances in 18 appearances.
I guess it is still better than Wynand, who had 1 good performance in 37 appearances.
26 Sep 2012, 17:15 pm
@UptheGuts-399:
I really find it strange that people forget about Mark Andrews when they talk about great locks of the past.
26 Sep 2012, 17:17 pm
@gunther-406:
You do???
Maybe you’re wrong.
26 Sep 2012, 17:19 pm
@UptheGuts-399:
Yup, another great lock.
@Transformation-400:
True sir..
26 Sep 2012, 17:21 pm
@nama1-409:
What do you think of HM’s statement that “there’s a misconception that Goosen must fit into a rigid structure. He has the freedom to play the situation as he sees it.”
Goosen and Morne are poles apart as players and Goosen will bring something totally different to the party.
26 Sep 2012, 17:21 pm
@nama1-407:
26 Sep 2012, 17:24 pm
@gunther-406:
Don’t think Zane will be dropped.
HM wants him at FB. In his 1st three matches as coach, he played Zane, Lambie and Aplon at FB against England.
When the RC started, Zane was his 1st choice again. Zane is there to stay unless he becomes just as bad as Morne. Something not even the most ardent objector to his inclusion can claim right now.
26 Sep 2012, 17:25 pm
I think it will be the first time many non-cheetahs will see Goossen playing more than 60 minutes.
But they’re all in agreement we should start with him. I think ‘t was them that came up with Goose/ Goossen nicknameconnection
26 Sep 2012, 17:28 pm
411
he thinks meyers telling fibs he talking expansive to the press and telling the players vokmaarvoor
lol
26 Sep 2012, 17:32 pm
@nama1-413: Zane will be subject to the horses for courses management plan.
Zane will be OK. I’m fine with him there in any case for the time being. At least he does things on pace with ball in hand. Not a classic classic player, but loads of heart and plenty skill.
Now that most of the supporter selection anxiety has died down, HM can take his time to pick and choose players he feel he is comfortable coaching through the next weeks and months.
HM will make the decisions in time… When he feels it is time.
Haha. Still laughing at everyone’s suprise because they had HM boxed square and sorted in their minds….haha.
26 Sep 2012, 17:34 pm
@nama1-407: and it was the first test that he started…
heavyweight boxers also take time to mature..
although, I’ve had my doubts in the past… maybe old Flippie is turning into the hard man after all…
26 Sep 2012, 17:35 pm
@I am a stormer-411:
To be honest, Meyer says a lot of things and then do the opposite.
He has been saying, since coming back from NZ, that “the game plan is 100% the right one.” Now I don’t have to tell you that the “game plan” entails a lot of kicking, whether by the FH, SH or FB. Not once in the 7 tests so far have we seen our back line execute a planned move from 1st phase. I don’t know if there were even planned moves from 2nd or 3rd phase by them. Our tries comes from broken play or individual brilliance or luck.
So, I would be very surprised if we veer of the game plan and if Goosen brings our back line into play that much more and that much more effective. Even if Goosen are to try and bring them into play, how ready are guys like Frans (if he plays) and JdV after playing stampkar rugby for so long now. They are conditioned by now to run into the nearest opposition player or kick for field position. I would like nothing more than for Habana and Hougaard to just receive the ball after a back line move but alas, I won’t hold my breath.
We’ll win this test, with our forwards moering the Aussies.
26 Sep 2012, 17:38 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl-415: remember the keolings are all MENSA material. they get 100% at work, in bed and in their version theory is final.
26 Sep 2012, 17:39 pm
Hoekie toooooeeeeee!!!!
26 Sep 2012, 17:40 pm
@nama1-418: At the set piece, the ABs sent most of the back line right back to diffuse the inevitable kicks, almost daring the Boks to run it. But they never did. Hopefully with Goosen there he may even have a go once in a while or at least make the opposition think twice
26 Sep 2012, 17:40 pm
LMAO. Those were the days
26 Sep 2012, 17:42 pm
@shooter-417:
I’m always up for a player proving me wrong and maybe Flip will too.
Wasn’t it just last year that a lot of Bulls supporters called for his head? That after his great 2010 season.
Fickle Bulls fans.
26 Sep 2012, 17:43 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl-415:
Exactly.
You thought the same when you read that the 1st time. Be honest.
26 Sep 2012, 17:47 pm
Zane Is Our Best Fullback & He Can Tackle Hard As Hell. Taute Doesn’t Shine In The S15 So Suggestions About Him As A Possible Replacement For Zane Are Stupid, Lambie Would Be The Better Suitor, You Guys Haven’t Been Bashing Ruan Hasn’t Been Setting The World Alight With Crisp Passes & Service(Think About It). Bring Back Hougie @Scrummie And Play Basson On The Wing (I Mean Goosen Was Called Up In Similar Circumstances). On A Side Note, I Type Like This Because I Can.
26 Sep 2012, 17:47 pm
@gonzo-421:
That’s all we can do, Gonzo.
Hope that we at least play differently from the rubbish that we have been exposed to the last few months. Just do something different than kick and chase or bash it up, every now and then.
26 Sep 2012, 17:48 pm
@shooter-419:
Just some of us.
26 Sep 2012, 17:58 pm
@thegreatanubis-425:
Anubis: is the Greek name for a jackal-headed god associated with mummification and the afterlife in ancient Egyptian religion. He is the son of Nephthys and Set according to the Egyptian mythology.
And Dawn says people don’t know how to pick nics anymore.
26 Sep 2012, 17:58 pm
@David-427: O yes, I forgot the Stormers are not
26 Sep 2012, 18:00 pm
Lambie still on the bench.
He got less than 5 minutes last time out, when the game was already over….
26 Sep 2012, 18:00 pm
Please tell me a few of you fellows listened to this?
Ohmygreatness.
http://www.sport24.co.za/Multimedia/Rugby/Rugby-Championship/Steyns-the-guy-HM-20120926
26 Sep 2012, 18:02 pm
Maybe De Jongh danced himself out of the squad.
anyway.
It’s good to have competition for spots. That’s what a few hard choices do for you.
Not this bleating about who is no 1 picked for now.
26 Sep 2012, 18:08 pm
Jissus….Heyneke Meyer must have wept and then ran to the loo to vomit in grief a few times when this decision was made. Give him a break….he has dropped Morne you cant expect him to drop Zane so soon.
After Zane we will need to focus our energies on getting him to see Pierre Spies for the player he is.
And rather dont mention the name ‘Wynand Olivier’ because it wont be long and he will be back. Another blou oog Loftus seuntjie. Only Bulls fans rate him. The rest can see how uber k@k he is.
26 Sep 2012, 18:10 pm
@shooter-432: I can’t believe Meyer would consider Taute at center ahead of Juan de Jongh. Shows how ludicrously stupid he is.
Toilet seat cover head Kirchner should have sat on the bench for this game. Taute should have played fullback, and either Lambie or de Jongh should have been moved to the centre. Probably de Jongh.
Instead he brings in a complete novice to a position he didn’t earn his reputation from.
Meyer is clueless. Further evidence that what happened at the Bulls was pot luck.
26 Sep 2012, 18:12 pm
@fever-430: Meyer should send Lambie home to the Sharks. He is wasting the kids time. He dropped a whole bunch of other (non Bulls) players. Why doesn’t he just drop Lambie ? The Sharks could do with him.
26 Sep 2012, 18:13 pm
@thegreatanubis-425: Clearly a Bulls fan.
26 Sep 2012, 18:13 pm
@nama1-428: This guy is a complete dingbat. Have you read his posts ?
26 Sep 2012, 18:19 pm
Yes Dusky, Im A Bulls Fan, But I’m Also A Massive Bok Fan Too. Im Sorry If I Don’t Agree To Everything 85% Of The People On Here Say
26 Sep 2012, 18:22 pm
Something to think about for everybody who hails Goosen as the next Messiah (after Hougie, after Morne, after Fransie, after FdP, after Liefling, after Bobby, etc, etc.)
In the game against the All Blacks the score was 8-8 when Goosen replaced Morne Steyn. Immediately thereafter, Smith scored his try breaking through an area where the FH should’ve made the tackle after Smith was missed by the forwards.
In the 20 minutes that he was on the field, the All Blacks also got four kickable penalties at goal (65min, 73 min, 79 min, 80 min) of which they converted two. Now I am not saying that it is his fault but my point is this: In the 1st half the AB had no shot at goal because we were mostly in their half of the field.
So the question now is this: Will Goosen be able to keep us playing in the opposition half for most of the game?
26 Sep 2012, 18:24 pm
Ruan Pienaar still there??
Jano or Sarel should be there instead.
I hope Goosen wears blue one day
26 Sep 2012, 18:24 pm
So another ‘messiah’ being hailed?
Get a grip on reality you bunch of empty-headed wumps. This inaugural Rugby Championship is all but dead and buried; it is a dead rubber(1 pt. out of a possible 10) and the Aussies are clearly treating it as such with their selections. No risking O’Connor, Pocock, Horwill, Genia, Cooper etc. against a bunch of thugs as all the yellows, reds and bannings strongly suggest.
If the Wallabies cannot be beaten at ‘Kamp Staaldrad Loftus’ then it truly is a rugby case of catastrophic proportions.
Personally all I am looking out for is which of the new ‘messiah’s’ drug affected joints have been compromised enough to land him in an ER.
Always good to ruffle the feathers at the end of a day of a short work week.
26 Sep 2012, 18:25 pm
So much of warra warra
26 Sep 2012, 18:26 pm
Patric Lambie is a great talent wasted
should be in the starting lineup more consistently even at wing if need be
26 Sep 2012, 18:27 pm
@Neilanate-441:
Goosen is Special talent…look at his performances so far
reminds me of a young Honiball but better placekicker
26 Sep 2012, 18:28 pm
@nama1-439: No my friend
Now is not the time to come with these questions and paranoid tendencies. That ship has left the harbor…….
You will have Bakkies back here in a flash wailing and pulling his chest hair out.
So the question is actually this: Who do we blame if it all goes wrong?
26 Sep 2012, 18:30 pm
@thegreatanubis-438: I could see that you are a Bulls fan though your posts. Zane Kirchner the best fullback !? Audi R8 Hougaard was moved from 9 specifically because of his poor service at 9, and Ruan Pienaar has done nothing wrong yet.
Basson is a decent option. That much I will give you, but has disappeared in green and gold in his appearances so far.
26 Sep 2012, 18:30 pm
@Dusky-437:
Yes I did.
I thought an Anubis may have something to do with poepol, that’s why I looked it up.
26 Sep 2012, 18:30 pm
Consider also that these Aussies are not playing for this Kiwi coach as they are working him out of that job and Cooper has surely show-cased that scenario. You have no excuse but to win but it will be hollow.
26 Sep 2012, 18:31 pm
Bakkies breakdown?
26 Sep 2012, 18:32 pm
Personally I hope we shunt the Aussies by 40 points so that (whether they are playing a dead rubber team or not), it underlines Steyn’s departure. It would be the best thing for Bok rugby at the moment.
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