Vodacom Super Rugby
Goosen: S15 miracle man
2012-03-22 12:30
Rob Houwing, Sport24 chief writer
Cape Town – The season may be very young but there has been
an auspicious start statistically by the Cheetahs’ exciting, rookie flyhalf
Johan Goosen.
Stats issued by the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper (via the
Rugby Heaven website) this week indicate that the 19-year-old, playing his
first season at this level, heads up several categories after four weeks of
activity.
Goosen is the leading points scorer, just for starters, with
65 – an eight-point cushion over the Hurricanes’ similarly raw Beauden Barrett
in second spot.
He has also kicked the most penalty goals (16), just ahead
of the Reds’ now-injured Mike Harris with 15.
Goosen also shares most conversions (seven) with all of the
Chiefs’ Aaron Cruden and compatriots Morne Steyn (Bulls) and Pat Lambie
(Sharks).
Always renowned for the prodigious distance he gets off his
boot, whether from the tee or out of hand, the Cheetahs man also boasts the
most kick metres (1 607m), ahead of the Stormers’ diminutive fullback Joe
Pietersen (1 338m).
As if to demonstrate that he is not just a metronomic
kicker, significantly, Goosen is sixth for “most running metres” and the best
flyhalf in this category (273m). Top of the pile here is the Chiefs’
ever-popular inside centre Sonny Bill Williams.
Williams unsurprisingly also leads the category for his
forte, most off-loads (11), with Goosen next best-placed with nine ... only
further illustrating the roundedness of his game?
Goosen will do well to stay at the stats forefront this
weekend: the Cheetahs play the mighty Crusaders in Christchurch, with not too
many people tipping them to even get close on the scoreboard, although they
come off a rousing tour win against the Rebels.