'I was certain it was over': Goosen questions long-range penalty decision

SPOTLIGHT: Bulls utility back Johan Goosen wants television match officials to get more involved in the kicking side of things.

The Springbok was part of the team that went down 27-31 to the Cheetahs in the final round of the Currie Cup last weekend.

In the last quarter of the game, Goosen had a long-range penalty kick from about 59 metres out. The 30-year-old got some real power behind the ball, but the assistant referees ruled that the ball crept under the cross-bar.

https://youtu.be/xaG9auhQCTc?t=5893

During a Bulls press conference this week, Goosen said he thought he found the distance on the kick and questioned why it wasn’t referred to the TMO.

“I don’t understand why we didn’t look at it,” said Goosen.

“There are so many cameras and we go to the TMOs for other things but If a guy kicks, they ignore it.

“I was certain it was over.”

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A turning point?

Goosen also believes that the three-pointer would have been a game-changer.

“I think it could have turned the game because we got penalties again where we had to go for the line-out because we were four points behind.”

“If that kick was over, we could have kicked for poles again.

“It is what it is.”

Goosen is seen as an accurate goal-kicker and he was even rewarded with the United Rugby Championship’s Golden Boot award this season.

However, it is something he continues to work on

“I am working hard on it. You got a certain process that you follow when you kick to poles and sometimes you are lucky,” Goosen explained.

“It’s a big part of my game and I get a lot of confidence out of it and am working hard on it.

“If it goes well and you are on that wave then it is nice.

“There were also bad times, but you enjoy the good times.”

@rugby365com