If you are reading this from the Republic, the glands are already looking joyful, as salivation seems near.
If you are also from the Vrystaat. Excuse me, the Free State – and have cracked, English #Humour – you are also very likely to be adding some Orange-aid to that Grey’s Goose.
And a Nickname is Born – Johan “Vodka” Goosen! Maybe even, “On the Rocks“.
Just like an image of this drink of choice, it is curtains for the opposition that underestimate the visual impression. He may make you think you’ve got water, until it’s too late, and you’ve just been taken out by Vodka. Indeed, the South Africa whisper is that this boy has the altitude of a DC-10; epic proportions.
Living in the shadow of both the Cartel and the Western Island, hearing the gibbering of individuals about another Ten is a channel that rarely turns us on.
There was a time that claimed, Matt Giteau, had taken over the ‘reins’ as the world’s premier pivot. Poor Dan was now the parsimonious second best. This season of their giving came and went, until the next contestant in the Get Carter audition, was pushed forward and to the front. If they couldn’t get our kiwi, they would get the next best thing, a transplanted one of our own – Quade “Carlos” Cooper.
Like potential beauty that is noticed from afar, Cooper would prove alluring when given the vital commodities of time and space. However, up close and personal; the papering over the cracks would reveal chasms, as Cooper’s game would fall apart when the glare and air got a little brighter and higher.
Australian scribes, not backward in unlearning from their mistakes have recently offered another; the could have been kiwi, James O’Connor. After his performance for a dominant “Wallabies” outfit against the Barbarians, one such scribe in, The Australian, asked again; have we got Carter?
Let me be clear, a Dan Carter facsimile is a myth. His practice, is their theory. He is the prince, where others prove the pauper. He man-handles in testosterone, while others get excessive in estrogen.
While I am trolling in hyperbole, it is also true that there will come a time when another excessively gifted individual in 10, will ascend the throne. They may not be as complete as Carter, but they may prove just as compelling.
Over to this Grey’s Goose in the Republic.
If talk is worth his weight, then this lad has gold; gold, in them their hills. He is plucked and stuffed with all the seasonal joy that a rugby loving nation can bear.
Personally, I have yet to view and study anything substantial. However, I have caught a glimpse or two that may provide some more weight to this appeal. Take a look at this footage from the 2011 Currie Cup.
Gifted. Running with ball in hand, I could swear the style and cadence was of a Cooper. Mostly significantly for mine; taking the ball, running to the line, and looking like it was his natural thing to do. While South African rugby wants many things, a second coming of the Naaaaaasty one, should not be high on their list. The boy obviously has a big boot, drop-kicking like Zinzan [cue that 1995 semi for the second time today], with the word that he is Donkey-Kong-Steyn-like off a tee.
Without doubt, the boy has talent. His movement through the levels confirms this. However, a word of caution; it is too early, and even unfair to load him with any label. Yet, you know we will! If he is good enough, he is old enough; bring on the SupeRugby THIS year.
In SupeRugby 2012, he will be plying his trade for the Cheetahs franchise in the Republic. If fitness plays fair, he should be given the appropriate opportunity to take his game to the next level where it will be tested and tried.
Can I encourage you to take a very mental note of the date, March 24th, when the Cheetahs travel to Christchurch and take on the Crusaders. Today Carter is working his way back from the groin issues that stole his sunshine. However, he is expected to be back early March, and hopefully will have resumed pivotal control in 10. If Goosen gains the ascendancy for the African franchise, what a mouth-watering contest within a contest, this will offer.
I did type, watering.
What Say You?
If you are from the Republic, this could be a good time to put the Afrikaans down, and share with us your, English.
Baie Waardeer! 
Stay Tuned for a flock-full of SupeRugby anticipation, preparation, and preview, even before the action gets started early on in 2012, where we plan to go all the way.
Make sure you are connected on all the iamjonnyking media platforms – written, spoken, tweeting, and F-booking, which you can find at the bottom of the following link – Here!
Talk to me – Lekker!
Until Next Time
iamjonnyking
The big test is always in the 2nd season. After Jantjes big BMT showing in the CC final and the NZ influence on his career, is Goosen still back in the que for mr. But time will tell. About Dan, nothing compares.
Goeie dag meneer Jonny,
Ek sien uit na die nuwe seisoen. Ek is heel opgewonde met Johan se spel.
Maar ek wil eers sien hoe hy die druk van Supe(kak)Rugby kan hanteer voor ek sal se hy is die volgende groot ding. Een ding is verseker, ek kan nie wag dat dir rugby begin nie!
Groete uit Rustenburg
Hey Hey die eienaar Verwey,
Grand jou te hê op die blog en in jou moedertaal. Dit is baie opwindend en met baie vars vleis in SupeRugby hierdie jaar, ons het baie om vorentoe te kyk. Ek is dit eens dat die druk van SupeRugby hom sal toets. Moet ‘n baie vinniger as wat hy het getuig. Een spesifieke gebied is sy verdediging. Dit sal soos nog nooit tevore getoets. Sonder om die vraag wat jy kan sien sy fisiese gawes. Die ontasbare bates soos die vermoë om onder druk consposure, BMT te dink, al hierdie dinge sal begin om te wys op hierdie vlak.
Kan nie wag nie.
Goed om jou op die site, jy moet weer kom.
Van Nieu-Seeland Rustenberg
iamjonnyking
Agreed. There are alot of gifted 10s coming through, but we are witnessing few who really know how to control a match, which does take time. Defence is also another area that often tests out these youngsters. I didn’t see the Currie Cup, as it wasn’t shown in NZ, but his time in the saddle should have given him much more confidence. Will be very interesting to watch his and all the new talent coming through. As for DC; definitely!
Thanks for coming and commentating. I am planning on blogging everyday, so please make yourself at home, and share with freedom!
Ha ha, I think we should stick to english. This translation thing is making me confused. Great effort! Keep well sir!
My pea in the pot would be – let him develop in his own time! The “BIG” francices mustn’t intervere, with their cheque books!! Take Mapoe for instance!
Put him through the steps and see how he does!!!
PS Mr. King, loved the “GREY GOOSE” quirk!
I have huge hopes and expectations for the Golden Goose. He has that rare combination of strong running and defense, as well as a golden boot. Hopefully they don’t play him too quickly – he may still be a tad undercooked.
Agreed. It will be clear when he is ready. Haha; I was thinking laterally on the Goose reference, as there is already Retief with the name. I remembered this is a drink of choice for the All Blacks… then I checked where he went to School… meant to be.
Thanks again for your thoughts.
As one who bleeds orange, I bet you have some high hopes for this son, even in the Springbok strip. I think that is vital; respond to his ability to handle the jandal. All Blacks rushed double A-ron Cruden through in 2010, then dumped him. He has had time to go back and reconfigure his game, and looks the gun the world thought that he was.
Absolutely. I think Cruden is a classic case in point. Although, to be fair, Cruden was playing in the shadow of the greatest flyhalf in world rugby.
Exactly, which is also why any comparison to Carter is unfair on the kid, even unhealthy for his development, but they will come, and in any number of publications. In saying that; there are too numerous examples of youth standing up. Football is replete with witness. Man U’s success has been built on the back of young talent. In our context, take Cummins & Pattinson, for Australia, in Cricket.
With Cruden, at the time, even the Australians were talking about him as the next best thing. I don’t think he was managed well; we won in Sydney, at the end of the Tri-Nations 2010, when he given his first start. The All Blacks forwards did not turn up early on the night; they would decide to pull finger in last twenty as Cruden was pulled. In the end, we won, and it shone brightly on Slade. However, Cruden has always had it – http://www.backingblack.co.nz/blog/30/yes-aaron-cruden-has-it.html – the Selectors lost faith in him far too early, and it is fortunate that the player himself, has the strength of character.
Gonna be a great season. Will it enjoy it even more with the growing connections inside the Republic. Stay Connected!