The Cheetahs are fighting tooth and nail to retain the services of Springbok flyhalf Johan Goosen, but know they are in a tough tug-o’-war.
Cheetahs backline coach Hawies Fourie, speaking to this website during the team’s bye week, admitted they are aware of reports that Goosen has dashed off to France for talks about his future.
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According to a report in a local newspaper, the young Bok flyhalf used the bye week to meet with officials from both Toulon and Racing Metro this week.
Goosen’s contract comes to an end in October, and Fourie admitted the Cheetahs will face a fight to keep him in Bloemfontein.
With the bye week the Cheetahs bosses won’t have a chance to chat to him until the team re-assembles on Monday.
“We have also seen the reports in the newspaper,” Fourie said.
He said they have not been sitting idle.
“Naka does the contracting and he has been speaking to his agent for some time,” Fourie said.
“It has been ongoing for a few months. It is not like we are just starting to chat now, we have engaged his agent about his future, looking ahead to the next year or two.”
The Cheetahs assistant mentor said they are desperate to retain the services of the 21-year-old, who has been capped four times for his country.
“We know it won’t be easy,” Fourie said, adding: “No doubt we are doing our best to keep him here.”
There has also been interest in from South African franchises in Goosen’s services, with the Bulls reportedly also in talks with his agent.
The Cheetahs also have a mixed bag on the injury front.
Burly midfielder Francois Venter had shoulder surgery and will be sidelined for the next three to four months.
However, Bok prop Coenie Oosthuizen could rejoin the Cheetahs next week, after returning home prematurely from Australasia with a neck injury.
“We’ll have a much better idea on Monday. At this stage it does appear as if Coenie will be available for next weekend.”
Methinks he is playing everybody off against each other.
I wouldn’t want to sign a player who can’t finish a full season without getting injured.
The irony is, JLP and Boshoff are probably playing for peanuts, but are actually making a difference at their respective teams, while some prima donnas are so precious, they want the big money, but bring squat to the table except so called promises of greatness.
Laat die ou gaan AS hy so graag wil.
MacroBull wrote:
Die enigste eiers wat hierdie Goose le, is op sy eie eiers as hy by die huis le en herstel van nog n besering.
@ nortierd:
Exactly, JLP the bulls dug out of division 2 rugby in France.
I feel there is just too much pressure on this oke, the hype that builds whenever he is injured has been ridiculous. His “legend” builds more and more whenever he is injured, while other Cheetah flyhalves have been managing to win games, they have been ignored.
While he is a great player, people have been building a golden throne for Goosen, so the expectation is ridiculous and he would have to be exceptional to live up to it like Wilkinson did.
MacroBull wrote:
Se ek ook mos.
Racing Metro kan liewer vir Barrett by die Canes koop as hulle n opvolger vir Sexton soek….
Ja/nee, hy moet maar gaan.
Sy kop is so groot gepraat, ek glo nie hy pas meer so lekker in die kleedkamer nie.
Wat nou regtig goeie nuus sal wees is as Naka wil gaan.
Ek sal wragtig ‘n paar dae verlof insit om hom te gaan help pak en trek!
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