Goosen concern for Bulls ahead of URC playoffs

The Bulls are hopeful Johan Goosen will be fit for the United Rugby Championship playoffs after the flyhalf limped off in the Currie Cup defeat to Western Province.

Salt was added to the Bulls’ wounds when experienced flyhalf Goosen had to be replaced during the defeat to Western Province in Cape Town on Saturday night.

Goosen appeared to be getting back to his best in the URC wins over Zebre and Leinster, but struggled to cope with Province’s rush defence and eventually limped off the field.

Hamstring tweak

The playmaker could now be in a race to be fit for Saturday’s quarter-final against the Stormers at the same venue.

“Johan picked up a knock in the first half and we wanted to protect him,” said Bulls assistant coach Hugo van As after the match.

“I am not 100% sure about it. In the warm up, he felt a tweak in his hamstring. He was cleared by the medical staff. At half time he was complaining. When I left the change room, they were still busy examining him. I think he should be fine.”

Looking at the game itself, Van As bemoaned the tactical play from his side, as the visitors tried to run the ball from deep in their own half, instead of putting Province’s outside backs under pressure with kicks on a slippery pitch.

“We picked up a lot of confidence from our last two wins against Zebre and Leinster in the URC. Although that wasn’t Leinster’s strongest team and we saw what happens [in the Champions Cup semi-finals] when Leinster’s full side plays.

“Tactically, we didn’t kick enough today. We tried to run out of our own half and out of certain zones where we don’t want to run. Especially on a night like tonight, where they were rushing us defensively and putting our skills under pressure. We didn’t kick enough on the night.”

While the Vodacom Bulls suffered their fourth-straight defeat this season in all competitions to their rivals from the Cape, Van As is confident that their confidence hasn’t been shaken for the URC playoffs.

“We wanted to keep momentum in the team. It didn’t work out, but next week will be a new challenge,” said Van As.

The good thing about it is that they have all been here this week and we will be in the same situation next week. So there are a lot of positives to take out of the game, a lot of things that we know we need to fix. I am sure their full-strength URC team will benefit from tonight’s performance.”

This story first appeared on sarugbymag.co.za. It is republished here with permission.