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Ex-All Black Jack Goodhue names his most difficult Top 14 opponent

By Liam Heagney
Castres' Jack Goodhue, the ex-All Blacks midfielder (Photo by Levan Verdzeuli/Getty Images)

Former All Blacks midfielder Jack Goodhue has revealed what struck him most outside rugby during his first few months in France. He also outlined the differences he feels exist between the Top 14 and Super Rugby, while he also named the opposition player who has most impressed him while playing for Castres.  

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Capped on 19 occasions by New Zealand but just five times in the Ian Foster era, the 29-year-old last year decided to quit the Crusaders in Canterbury for an overseas experience in Europe. He has now reflected on his maiden season in the Top 14 with Castres, who narrowly missed out on the end-of-season play-offs with their seventh-place finish.  

Having debuted in January following recovery from an ankle operation, Goodhue is now preparing for a second season that will begin on September 7 at home to Racing 92, the team that pipped them in the play-off qualification race. 

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Coach Paul Gustard is full of praise for Racing 92 signing Owen Farrell

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Paul Gustard on potential “signing of the season” Owen Farrell

Coach Paul Gustard is full of praise for Racing 92 signing Owen Farrell

Interviewed by rugbyrama.fr, the centre provided some excellent insight into his time so far in France, including what has caught his eye most away from rugby. “Food,” he told the French rugby website. “Every time I go to the supermarket, it’s a little spectacle.  

“I have discovered desserts, creams and of course cheeses that I didn’t know. It’s quite funny but it’s nice to discover new ingredients. If I had to keep one thing, I would keep duck hearts. We don’t eat that in New Zealand, but it’s excellent!” 

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Reverting to rugby, Goodhue weighed up the merits of the Top 14 against Super Rugby. “You have internationals everywhere in the Top 14. It’s something quite crazy when you look at the squads of all the teams.  

“In terms of the game, it’s quite different here than in Super Rugby. Let’s say that the matches are a little less exciting in France, but I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. It’s simply two ways of playing. In the southern hemisphere, you have a little more action with 10, even 15 phases of play.” 

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Goodhue also named his most difficult Top 14 opponent. “It’s difficult to keep just one but I would say Nicolas Depoortere, the Bordeaux-Begles centre. He is a young guy full of talent who has good years ahead of him. He is quite physical, he defends well… I think he’ll go far.” 

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Bull Shark 1 hour ago
Why Rassie Erasmus should cull some Boks veterans for 2027

I think cull is the wrong word.


I think Rassie and the senior players will be pretty open and honest with each other about their prospects for another World Cup campaign. And, ironically, I don’t think Rassie is thinking as far ahead as 2027 in terms of who is going to go.


There are likely going to be injuries too where players one would assume will be at 2027 won’t feature. Think Marx and Am and 2023.


I think the priority is really having as many players as possible in contention for a spot on the 33 by the time squad selection comes around.


I made this point a while ago, but having double World Cup winners in the setup over the next 3 years is going to be golden for the boks. It’s like having a coach in each position.


Razor was criticized for having too many coaches in his team. Rassie has more than 15 player coaches at his disposal.


I think Siya is being teed up to play the same role Duane did at the 2023 RWC. Invitation to the coaching box this coming weekend included.


I think many of the old guard are playing a role in the team that certainly does not guarantee them a 2027 place but doesn’t hurt their chances at being selected - but they will have to be the no.1 or no. 2 best in that position to be selected at that time. There won’t be any dead weight - whether old or young.


In my mind the strategy would be quite simple. Take everyone who will be over 32 by 2027 and pencil their names in right now in slot number three for their relative position. We know what they can do and they know what they need to do to be in contention for 2027.


Then ask yourself who do we have to take position no.1 and no. 2. Tried and tested or not. Find them and trial them over the next 3 years. Their job is to keep the old guys out. And the old guys job is to help them do just that.


That’s what Rassie has to do and has started well trying 48 players and 11 debutants in year one as the article mentioned (and winning).


I reckon there’ll be another 5-10 new players tried by the end of this year, particularly in November.


2024 ✅

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