Goodhue in doubt for Argentina trip
A strained hamstring could force Jack Goodhue to miss the Crusaders’ next match against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires.
Centre Goodhue was clearly in discomfort as he clutched his upper left leg after scoring a crucial try in his side’s 14-8 win over the Lions in the Super Rugby match in Johannesburg on Monday morning (NZT), and although he stayed on the field for another couple of minutes he had to be replaced by Mike Delany.
Crusaders coach Scott Robertson said All Black Goodhue would continue to be assessed by medical staff, before they make a decision as to whether or not to invite him to remain with the squad for the trip to Argentina. The Crusaders are due to leave South Africa late Monday night (NZT).
Goodhue, who produced a mean fend to push-off Lions halfback Dillon Smit and then carried midfielder Harold Vorster over the line while scoring, appears to the biggest injury concern for the Super Rugby title holders following their two tries to one victory.
While second five-eighth Ryan Crotty didn’t return to the action for the second half of the game at Ellis Park, Robertson noted he had been ill in the build-up to the game Super Rugby: In Johannesburg: Crusaders 14 (Sam Whitelock, Jack Goodhue tries; Mitchell Hunt 2 con) Lions 8 (Madosh Tambwe try; Elton Jantjies pen). HT: 0-5 and was low in energy after a busy first 40 minutes.
‘‘He had the flu all week and just felt drained – the well was dry, so we decided to rest him,’’ Robertson said.
Loosehead prop Wyatt Crockett also took matters into his own hands when he asked to have an HIA test in the second spell, and he will be monitored after spending the night in Jo’burg.
If Goodhue is forced to return to New Zealand, it could result in David Havili being shifted from fullback to second five-eighth for the match against the Jaguares next weekend.
The Crusaders had to make considerable adjustments to their backline as the game progressed at Ellis Park.
Delany slotted into first-five, shunting starting No 10 Mitchell Hunt to fullback. When Crotty sat on the bench in the second half, Seta Tamanivalu moved to the midfield and Manasa Mataele took over on the left wing.
Specialist tighthead prop Oli Jager hurt a shoulder at training during the week, forcing him to withdraw from the match-day 23 and his place on the bench was taken by the versatile Chris King.
Jager requires a scan to determine the extent of the damage of the shoulder and Robertson said he will decide after spending a night in Jo’burg about whether he will remain with the squad.
Sanzaar also permits the Crusaders to carry two extra players to Argentina, with loose forwards Pete Samu and Billy Harmon set to join their teammates ahead of the next game.
Having trailed 5-0 at halftime, the Crusaders struck with tries to captain Sam Whitelock and Goodhue in the 50th and 53rd minutes in front of only 8000 fans.
While Whitelock barged his way over from a ruck near the lefthand pocket, the second try required more individual brilliance in the form of Mataele. From a lineout drive about 37m from the line, he blasted through the tackle of Malcolm Marx and then drew two defenders before feeding Goodhue who still had plenty of work to do during his 10m run toward the white line. The visitors also had three tries disallowed, and it was hard to argue with the decisions. Wing George Bridge thought he had scored on two occasions in the first half, but both were scrapped because the long passes – both by Hunt – were ruled forward. Havili also thought he had scored in the 66th minute, but replays showed Mataele had cut the touchline with his boot and referee Jaco Peyper took play back for a lineout in favour of the Lions.