Goose concern for stung Bulls

The Vodacom Bulls are hopeful Johan Goosen will likely be match for the Vodacom United Rugby Championship playoffs after the flyhalf limped off within the Currie Cup loss to DHL Western Province.

Salt was added to the Vodacom Bulls’ wounds when skilled flyhalf Goosen had to get replaced through the defeat to Western Province in Cape City on Saturday evening.

REPORT: Potent Province sweep Bulls

Goosen seemed to be getting again to his finest within the Vodacom URC wins over Zebre and Leinster, however struggled to deal with Province’s rush defence and finally limped off the sector.

The playmaker may now be in a race to be match for Saturday’s quarter-final towards the DHL Stormers on the identical venue.

“Johan picked up a knock within the first half and we needed to guard him,”stated Vodacom Bulls assistant coach Hugo van As after the match.

“I’m not 100% positive about it. Within the heat up, he felt a tweak in his hamstring. He was cleared by the medical workers. At half time he was complaining. Once I left the change room, they had been nonetheless busy analyzing him. I believe he must be effective.”

Trying on the recreation itself, Van As bemoaned the tactical play from his facet, because the guests tried to run the ball from deep in their very own half, as an alternative of placing Province’s exterior backs below stress with kicks on a slippery pitch.

“We picked up numerous confidence from our final two wins towards Zebre and Leinster within the URC. Though that wasn’t Leinster’s strongest group and we noticed what occurs [in the Champions Cup semi-finals] when Leinster’s full facet performs.

“Tactically, we didn’t kick sufficient at present. We tried to expire of our personal half and out of sure zones the place we don’t need to run. Particularly on an evening like tonight, the place they had been speeding us defensively and placing our abilities below stress. We didn’t kick sufficient on the evening.”

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

“We needed to maintain momentum within the group. It didn’t work out, however subsequent week will likely be a brand new problem,” stated Van As.

The benefit of it’s that they’ve all been right here this week and we will likely be in the identical state of affairs subsequent week. So there are numerous positives to take out of the sport, numerous issues that we all know we have to repair. I’m positive their full-strength URC group will profit from tonight’s efficiency.”

Photograph: Thinus Maritz/BackpagePix