Morne Steyn’s indifferent performance against the All Blacks has increased the pressure on Bok coach Heyneke Meyer to start Johan Goosen at flyhalf.
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Steyn’s goal-kicking has been erratic all year, and his innacuracy off the tee in Dunedin on Saturday effectively cost the Boks a game they should have won, having put the world champions under significant pressure.
Meyer admitted that in hindsight it would have been a better idea to give the kicking duties to one of the other capable backline players in the team, but explained that he opted to place his faith in Steyn’s ability to bounce back.
“Sitting here afterwards it is easy to make calls but it is a life and death situation for me and maybe I made the wrong call but Morne usually comes back and kicks well.
“Frans Steyn is a great goal-kicker and Ruan Pienaar can kick as well. You don’t just take a guy off for his goal-kicking,” he said.
Steyn is one of the most prolific kickers in Springbok history but has come in for heavy criticism this year for his lack of attacking flair, and his unconvincing display in Dunedin has even more people convinced that his time as Springbok flyhalf is past.
The emergence of Goosen has added fuel to that belief, as the young Cheetahs flyhalf undeniably offers a lot more as playmaker than Steyn who has played just about every game this year and is clealry feeling the pressure both physically and mentally.
Meyer said that whilst there is no doubt that Goosen represents the future, he was not keen to throw him in the deep end by starting him against the All Blacks, especially as he has only recently returned from a long-term injury.
“I have always said that I am going to bring Johan Goosen through and give him game time.
“But Johan had struggled with his goal-kicking in training during the week and he is still only 20 years old and he hasn’t played for almost three months. I thought he did superbly for the 25 minutes he was on the field,” he said.
Goosen plays much closer to the gainline, which suits Meyer’s confrontational style perfectly, and has shown the ability to create attacking opportunities on top of his highly accurate goal-kicking which makes him an excellent option to replace Steyn.
Meyer is trying to phase Goosen into the highest level, and has confirmed his confidence in Steyn, but admitted that he has some big decisions to make before the Boks’ next game against Australia in two weeks time.
“I’ve always rated Johan Goosen. I watched him play as a youngster and it is a pity he got injured because he was always part of my plans but I don’t want to throw him to the wolves so last week it was 10 minutes, this week it was 25 minutes. He is a guy with a lot of character and mental toughness.
“But Morne has also shown in the past that he has mental toughness so it is great to have two flyhalves like that. It’s great that Johan is coming through. I will look at the video, take the emotion out of it and maybe make a few hard calls,” he said.
With the Springboks’ hopes of winning the Rugby Championship now gone the last two Tests on home soil present a great opportunity to give Goosen his first start as keeping faith with Steyn would be merely delaying the inevitable.
The Bulls stalwart’s confidence would have taken a serious beating on Saturday, and as much as Goosen’s career needs to be managed carefully it is surely the right time for the young star to claim the No.10 jersey which he is set to dominate in the future.
Not only should Johan Goosen start, but there is a huge problem at Scrumhalf too! Ruan Pienaar is not doing the Bokke a favour. Were we too hasty insisting to move Hougie to left wing and should he not perhaps start at Scrumhalf, giving Johan Goosen fast ball?
Another change I would make (fark, how many times have I said this) is to replace Zane Kirchner with Patrick Lambie at fullback.
There must be something very wrong if I can’t find a reason to argue with GBS…………………………
2 @ Loosehead:
You also think Ruan Pienaar was part of the problem on Saturday?
Bokke forwards, bar Greyling, were bloody good actually, I was impressed with our breakdown battle, out forwards motivation and grunt.
3 @ grootblousmile:
This is so hard to agree with you………………….Yes GBS I think that Pienaar was also part of the Saturday problem. The Boks need a fast nippy 9. I don’t think that Hougie is that player, maybe he is and has only been playing the kick game as per orders. Is it too early to mention Nick Groom? Or should HM look at Sarel or Jarno?
The forwards were outstanding. Except Greyling.
The line out’s were not great,but good.
I really liked the way that Flippie played, a good , hard intelligent match.
This is also the best that I have ever seen FLO play.
Now all we need is a decent backline.
I must say that Frans and JDV do not make the right 12 / 13 combo.
Here I would like to see Ebersohn or the injured laaitjie from the Sharks.
9 janno 10 goosen 11 hougie 12 jdv 13 f steyn 14 habanna 15 lambi bench aplon jdj jj
4 @ Loosehead:
Super Sareltjie has been good for the Staat… just worried about his defence, that said I think he’ll be miles better than Ruan Pienaar.
Jano should not have been at the Bokke, Nic Groom is a talent but maybe it’s way too early for him to join the Bokke.
Could it be time to recall Fourie du Preez? Experienced scrummie bringing Goosen to his full potential might just be the way to go!
@ smallies:
Gekies uit bokke wat hm gebruik het die jaar,smallies se bok agterlyn lyk egter soos volg 9 sarel 10 goosen 11 willie le roux 12 paul jordaan 13 ebersohn\taute 14 rule \ habanna 15 lambi taute bench aplon jj hougie
6 @ grootblousmile:
AT LAST! I think that FDP is one of the greatest 9’s ever, but can he play a more open nippy game? If he returns it will mean a return to the kick and chase game, MS will look like a Rock Star.
If FDP sign’s for the Cheetahs, he should be made captain of the Boks, President of the Country and Quality Control Manager at Teazers.
@ Loosehead:
Ja hy kan dan sarel se deputy wees….
8 @ Loosehead:
Fourie du Preez can and always did play a very attacking game, sniping around the edges… great passing game…
Thing is, his kicking game is good too, giving versatility in game plan and attack.
… Du Preez’ stint in Japan’s fast game should have made him more attacking in the process too… and best part is he is probably fresh as a daisy too.
grootblousmile wrote:
and he cant use the excuse that he feels he is not top form in tough competition, even half a FduP is miles better than the current bunch.
Just saw this comment from a old blogger here..
Willie Van Zyl
Dean Greyling had to be punished. But to state McCaw was defenseless is laughable. That’s like donnering the defenseless burglar you just discovered in your living room, who is only defenseless because he’s carrying your TV.
Does anyone know when Fourie du Preez finishes his Japan contract?
13 @ biltong:
Fourie du Preez’ Suntory Goliath contract runs till March 2013.
@ grootblousmile:
Cheers GBS. It might be an option to have him inside Goosen for a while, I have no idea what kind of form he is in, but it would take a lot of pressure off Goosen.
15 @ biltong:
I’m leaning towards that persuasion as well, specially as Hougie and Ruan Pienaar are battling to provide crisp scrumhalf service and after them our cupboard is’nt exactly brimming with experienced scrumhalves.
Super Sareltjie has possibilities – although a bit frail on defence, Nic Groom is far too green, Jano Vermaak has sat on the bench most of the season and the others are just plain raw.
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