Bulls coach Jake White said that flyhalf Johan Goosen was ‘outstanding’ against Connacht last weekend. Photo: BackpagePix
Jake White thinks Canan Moodie is an “incredible talent”, and the Bulls boss was at pains to explain yesterday that his “buffet” comment of last week about the Springbok wing was not meant to cast aspersions on his fitness.
But White hopes that the spotlight will also be on flyhalf Johan Goosen in tonight’s Champions Cup opener against Saracens at the StoneX Stadium in London (7.30pm start).
The Bulls have an opportunity to make a major statement in the premier club competition in the world, following their quarter-final defeat – with a weakened team – against Northampton last season.
Despite missing five Springboks again this week – Ruan Nortjé, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Elrigh Louw and Wilco Louw for various reasons, as well as top injured youngster Reinhardt Ludwig – the Pretoria outfit are well equipped to emerge victorious in England this time around.
One of those Boks who will feature again this week is Moodie, who was picked at outside centre by White yesterday, along with Willie le Roux, Cameron Hanekom, Marco van Staden, Johan Grobbelaar and Gerhard Steenekamp of the current Boks.
White insisted at the start of yesterday’s press conference that his comment after last week’s win over Connacht that Moodie needed to “stay away from the buffet” was not so much about the 22-year-old from Paarl having eaten too much on the recent Bok tour.
Canan Moodie was on a mission against Connacht, making more metres in a single game than anyone else this season 🔥#BKTURC #URC pic.twitter.com/spLx5iDYwv
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) December 3, 2024
“All that happened is that – and it’s a great accolade to him – is that in those situations he was in during the game that we are going to see a little more flair and a little bit more excitement,” White said.
“And when we didn’t see it people went ‘What’s wrong?’ – has he lost his pace? Is he carrying a hamstring injury?
“And tongue in cheek, I say it again. I’ve known him since he was 19, and I will manage him because my diversion to you guys (the media) was that he has been at the buffet.
“That’s probably what he has done: he’s eaten takeaway foods a bit and I’ll sort that out. It was never intended to be an attack on the guy or criticism of him as a player – or criticism of him being away at the Boks or him not getting trained properly.
“It was generally just a coach saying to you guys (the media): ‘Don’t stress: it will be fine’.”
But there’s a Champions Cup game to be won tonight, and White is confident that Moodie can make a big impact at No 13, where he will be seriously tested by Argentina star Lucio Cinti.
White said that a massive storm has been forecast for the UK this weekend, and that there could be winds of “80 miles per hour” in London, which would make a ball-in-hand approach on attack difficult to implement.
But the visitors showed in difficult weather conditions against Connacht in Galway that they can maintain possession into the wind and take on the defence, which is where Goosen’s ability to mix things up between running, kicking and passing will be intriguing to watch against Saracens flyhalf Fergus Burke.
Bulls scrumhalf Embrose Papier will also aim to provide direction against fellow Bok halfback and former Bull, Ivan van Zyl.
“People don’t talk about Johan Goosen, and I’m surprised. I read articles, and all the other 10s get mentioned. He made 18 tackles last week. We played into the wind and could’ve been three or four tries up into the wind,” White said.
“His goal-kicking was four out of four, and I just think that sometimes maybe he is not the flavour (of the month for everybody)...
“People ask me about Canan and Willie (Le Roux), and all the other players. But I just thought that he (Goosen) was also one of those guys who didn’t get the credit he deserved last week.
“We’re not used to playing in weather like that, and he was outstanding. A lot of people will say that Willie was there, and that’s true, because you can’t underplay how important Willie is.
"Home is where the heart is”, says Corne Beets who has signed a new 2-year contract with the club. 🔥
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) December 5, 2024
The Junior Springbok Player of the Year will remain at the capital until 2026 🏆 pic.twitter.com/ItyiH9QOZ0
“But you still need a 10 who can have pace, kick, still understands that when Willie comes in, he’s got to go somewhere else. It will be interesting tomorrow again.”
Bulls Team
15 Willie le Roux 14 Sebastian de Klerk 13 Canan Moodie 12 David Kriel 11Devon Williams 10 Johan Goosen 9 Embrose Papier 8 Cameron Hanekom 7 Cobus Wiese 6 Marco van Staden 5 JF van Heerden 4 Ruan Vermaak 3 Francois Klopper 2 Johan Grobbelaar (captain) 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Bench: 16 Akker van der Merwe 17 Alulutho Tshakweni 18 Mornay Smith 19 Jannes Kirsten 20 Marcell Coetzee 21 Keagan Johannes 22 Aphiwe Dyantyi 23 Harold Vorster.
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