1
Mega-money Goosen is about to make his professional rugby comeback - reports
Controversial flyhalf Johan Goosen is about to make his official professional rugby comeback – according to reports coming out of South Africa.
ADVERTISEMENT
Goosen is apparently set to lineout against Munster this weekend in the Pro 14 for the Toyota Cheetahs – according to sarugbymag.co.za.
It is the first time that he will play since announced his ‘retirement’ from the sport in 2016, a move that angered Racing 92 at the time.
Goosen walked out on his Racing contract last year, apparently claiming that he wanted to return to South Africa to take up a business opportunity.
However in February and RugbyRama and Midi Olympique reported that Goosen will now lineout for Altrad’s Montpellier next season in a move that may well be a watershed moment in the sport – ushering in a new age of mega money contract buyouts similar to that of Association Football.
It is however now understood that Montpellier will trigger a near €1.5million buyout clause in Goosen Racing contract.
According to reports president of Montpellier Mohed Altrad and Racing 92’s Jacky Lorenzetti came to an agreement for MHR to buy the player out of his contract for €1.4 million euros.
ADVERTISEMENT
Goosen was voted best player of the Top 14 in 2016 but the last time he played in the Top 14 it was in November 2016.
In an interview in 2017 then Racing coach Ronan O’Gara said Goosen wanted to leave rugby to pursue a ‘rural life’. O’Gara told BT that: “I talked a lot with him, he was convinced that his life was to live onannouncedHe said it three weeks ago that it was the will of his wife. If that’s it, that’s it… But it would be a great loss for rugby.”
The Cheetahs have found themselves under pressure to keep players, after a number of their best squad members announced that they would be making a move north.
ADVERTISEMENT
This week the Free State Rugby confirmed that Tom Botha and Clayton Blommetjies will be leaving the Toyota Cheetahs after the Guinness PRO14 season. Botha will be joining Ospreys and Blommetjies, Scarlets in Wales.
27-year-old Blommetjies will follow fellow Cheetahs player Uzair Cassiem to Parc y Scarlets this summer as both join the West Wales region, from Cheetahs Rugby, ahead of the 2018-19 season.
Blommetjies came through the ranks at the Bulls, playing all his junior rugby there, and later at the age of 20, made his senior debut in the Currie Cup. He has become an integral part of the Cheetahs side with many of their successes attributed to his play.
He has made 39 appearances for the Cheetahs in the Super Rugby competition scoring six tries and has represented South Africa at four levels; SA Schools Academy, SA Students, SA Under 20s and SA Sevens.
Paarl born Blommetjies has made an impact in his debut Guinness PRO14 season scoring four tries, making five try assists and features in the top five for metres gained.
Current internationals Aaron Shingler, Ryan Elias, James Davies, Rhys Patchell, Wyn Jones, Gareth Davies, Jake Ball, Jonathan Davies and Hadleigh Parkes have put pen to paper on new deals with the Scarlets as well as Dylan Evans, Jonathan Evans, Lewis Rawlins, Phil Price and newcomers Blade Thomson, Uzair Cassiem and Kieron Fonotia.
Commenting on the news head coach Wayne Pivac said; “We’re delighted to be welcoming Clayton to the Scarlets for the forthcoming season.
“He’s a talented player that can play in a number of position across the backline. His flexibility will offer us options, particularly during the international windows. Clayton is an exciting runner with a big kick off both feet and also has match-winning ability.”
“With Super Rugby and Guinness PRO14 experience Clayton will be an important addition to us going forward.”
Jon Daniels, Scarlets General Manager of Rugby said; “With so many players away during international windows we have been looking closely at the balance of our squad to ensure we are competitive both within and outside international windows. A player of Clayton’s ability and experience gives us greater strength in depth across the whole season.”
Blommetjies added; “This is an exciting new chapter for me and my family and one that I’m really excited for.
“When I met with Wayne and Jon I got a real sense of how professional the club is both on and off the field.
“They’re doing well in both European and Guinness PRO14 competitions at the moment and it’s an exciting prospect that we could potentially meet in the quarter finals in a few weeks time.”
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope WRU cops a 12 month ban.
1 Go to commentsOuch. Pumped. Even Nohamba is a better flyhalf than Ford.
2 Go to commentsI hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
2 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
27 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
26 Go to comments