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Fresh twist in the Johan Goosen saga

Johan Goosen

The will he, won’t he, what’s he, where’s he, saga of South Africa’s Johan Goosen has taken another twist, days after it seemed he was set for a move to the Pro 14.

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And the news is not good for fans of the expanded league’s new boys, Cheetahs, as it appears Goosen will head back to the Top 14 rather than rejoin the club where he got his rugby break.

Montpellier’s billionaire owner Mohed Altrad as emerged as the most likely to be the mystery benefactor willing to pay a revised buyout clause figure, now said to be somewhere between €1.2million and €1.4million, to release the 25-year-old from the five-year deal with Racing 92 that he walked out on in December 2016.

Now, French broadcaster RMC reports that sources have told its journalists a deal could be signed early next week, allowing the fly-half to restart his rugby career at the Altrad Stadium. It would bring to an end a 10-month break due to legal issues following his premature ‘retirement’.

RMC insists no agreement has yet been reached despite several meetings at Racing’s Plessis-Robinson headquarters and ‘other venues’. Meanwhile, it reported Goosen’s agents refused to comment when contacted by its journalists.

But it seems likely Racing – who recently announced the signing of Pat Lambie – would be willing to do a deal to take Goosen off their books. He is still named as a player on the club website, and is officially called to meetings and training sessions.

RMC claims that Altrad is determined to bring his man back to the Top 14. The broadcaster says he has travelled to South Africa several times in recent months, and has lately stepped up efforts to bring the Burgersdorp native to Montpellier.

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If Goosen does, finally, head to southwest France, he will join a formidable club dripping with talent. He would line up alongside countrymen Ruan Pienaar, Bismarck du Plessis and Francois Steyn, as well as French stars Louis Picamoles, Benjamin Fall and Alexandre Dumoulin.

Montpellier have won three from three already this season, picking up 14 points out of a possible 15.

But, with former All Black Aaron Cruden ruling the roost at 10, chances are he will spend most of his time at fullback.

Goosen’s last competitive game was in November 2016. A month later, amid apparently insurmountable problems between club and player, he announced his retirement from the game – rather than continue to pick up his reported monthly €40,000 pay-cheque from Racing. He also said he had taken up a position as a commercial director of a stud farm in his native South Africa.

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His sudden decision prompted Racing to launch a legal action against him for breach of contract. That is one of the issues that will need to be settled before he can pull on a Montpellier shirt.

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 3 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit
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