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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.
