Goosen banging the Bok door down says White
REACTION: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White said flyhalf Johan Goosen is a “super general” after his team’s 34-13 win over Western Province on Friday.
White’s side laid down a strong marker with that victory in Cape Town even though it wasn’t all plain sailing for the visitors as the Capetonians doggedly hung on and refused to hand the momentum to the Bulls after losing Scarra Ntubeni to a red card shortly before the break.
It’s the Bulls’ biggest Currie Cup victory ever at Newlands. The previous record was in 1995 when they won 33-13.
Goosen once again dominated proceedings with his tactical play and White believes it will be hard for the Springbok coaches to ignore him if he continues with his current form.
“Johan Goosen has been with us for three weeks and three games and a little bit longer in terms of his training. The impact he’s had has been massive,” said White.
“It is not my call on how long it will take [to join the Springboks].
“I got no doubt that if he keeps playing like that, he is going to keep banging the door down.
“You can see his class and it is not coincidental that we are playing the way we are, and our backs are playing as well as they are because he is a super general there.
“I am not sure what the plans are. I suppose we will find out in the next couple of days whether or not the [Bok] squad will change after the British and Irish Lions series or whether that squad stays together for an extended period because they go straight into the Argentina Test matches.”
Another player who continues to impress is Cornal Hendricks, who showed his versatility in the backline against Western Province.
“I think Cornal has been putting his hand up every single weekend for us,” White added. “He is very important to the way we play and your saw that tonight [Friday].
“The fact that he can play from 12 right through to 13 and wing on both sides makes him a valuable asset for any team.
“I have no doubt that if they keep playing like that, both him and Goosen and other players that are in our group will get selected. That is part of our jobs – to get them into the national squad.”
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