Kicking coach defends Goosen

Cape Town - Johan Goosen's kicking coach says no questions need to be asked about the player's commitment and discipline.

This comes after scathing criticism from Goosen's coach at Racing Metro in France.

Racing coach Laurent Labit recently accused the Springbok pivot of not attending French classes as well as not taking things serious enough at practice.

“His contract still runs for two years, but he knows he’ll have to change his attitude. If not, then there’s a good chance that he won’t be here for a third year of his contract,” Labit was quoted as saying on the Rugby Rama website.

“You expect a player of his age to be more serious about things. We allowed him to adapt in the first six months because he is still young, but you have certain expectations of a professional player. He’ll have to pull up his socks if he wants to play.”

However, Bertus Pretorius - who is Goosen's kicking coach in Bloemfontein - has defended the player.

"He is paying attention to his French. He and his wife are taking private lessons that he himself pays for," Pretorius told Netwerk24.

"Goose is 100% injury-free and practices every day here in Bloemfontein. On a daily basis he works on his strength and speed in the gym and this is what makes him a quality player.

"There's not much wrong with his place kicking. His run-up is good and he is kicking accurately. He wants to kick more. He also paid attention to his touch kicking, efficiency and footwork.

"Goose will always dream of playing for the Boks."

Goosen is expected to form part of the Springbok squad for the Rugby Championship to be announced on Saturday.