Goosen's Greatest Obstacle

 Mike, he probably has put on some weight since his last measurements, wait and see until next Super 15. 
Sun, I didn't say anything about Samoan's in my comments on the other thread. But now you've brought it up I do remember him avoiding tackling situations, also remember quite fondly his attempted tackles in the Welsh game, they were horrendous.
It's all good and dandy saying Goosen's a defensive liability but you haven't named any examples, you're credibility is shrinking by the comment. His latest game against the Sharks he had shown as much physicality that Morne has shown in his carrier, you opinion that he runs in front of defenders is wrong, I've never seen him do this.

the answer to gooses greatest obstacle is simple, its WADA.


@mikey,

arnie has admitted to using steroids, will look up the source but i can remember reading it.
every mr olympia contestant has been on r oids, its just what they do.

 Hey Sas ! Didnt Arnie root Lou Ferrigno prior to the Mr Olympia or summat so as to err,,,umm.. put him off his game and to get inside his head [ among other things eerrrkk!] 

When Goosen first played Super 15 and test rugby he was an under 19 player. This year he was together with Jan eligible for the under 20 side at the World Cup (We would defintely have won the tournament with these two present)

How many under 19 players will survive Super 15 and test rugby. Goosen played many matches without being injured and did well - so much so there was widespread clamour by the mob for his inclusion in the Bok squad. Meyer to avoid being lynched by the mob, and against his better judgement, selected him.Over the next few season he will put on muscle can anybody doubt that? You dont have to be on steroids to gain muscle by proper training! Honiball was tallish and thin but has there ever been a better tackling flyhalf in the history of rugby? It would be interesting to do a comparison between hsi physicla stats and those of Goosen.
Goosen hopefully will blossom in 2014 and be part of the Bok side that rules world rugby.

 JJ likewise will put on a few kilos over the next few years. That will take him very close to 100 kg. Those insisting on his defensive frailties and still not answered snapster' s test stats re tackles.
The guy is a potentially world class center. He is still only a season or so into playing center! 

I agree that it takes a while to master the center position, look at Ben Smith. He is a world class wing but it will be another season before he is a world class center.

There is a clog there Beeno. Muscle? Muscle does equate to strength as directly as you may think. Muscle recruitment comes from the central nervous system, with varying strength methods of overcoming a natural strength inhibitor in the body. But that isn't the issue here, structural integrity is. Ectomorphs have a different distribution of muscle fibres - Type I and Type II. Goosen's obstacle is that of his frame first and foremost, which is why he was never able to assert himself on defence thus far in his career. He along with Robert Ebersohn were the two worst back defenders in the team last year, and Goosen was ruthlessly exposed by New Zealand. This are issues which are cause for concern. Denying the issue is not the answer. Goosen will be required to do something that is seemingly unnatural to South Africans; take the initiative and develop himself to the point where he becomes indispensable as an individual. And so far, too much is being credited to Goosen alone. The Cheetahs attack is the result of their highly astute backline coach Hawies Fourie. Hence then why the Cheetahs have put together a formidable attack with several different 10s! But back to Goosen, this is neither a conclusion nor a doom and gloom post. Merely caution. If we want honesty then we must try to understand the play better and see where he fits into the bigger picture, if at all. Pretorius was a much more prodigious player in his early years, but his slight stature was always a problem. It's highly unlikely Goosen will build himself up like Pretorius, and even if he did, he would likely suffer the same injury issues as a result of decreased structural integrity. One thing I can safely say, hedging everything on Goosen is a recipe for disaster, there's far more to real attacking rugby than one solitary player.