Goodhue keen to keep it clean
Jack Goodhue refuses to hold grudges against opponents who resort to underhand tactics in an attempt to nudge his angry needle into the red zone.
The Crusaders centre also says he isn’t interested in retaliating.
That’s not the way Goodhue rolls on the rugby field.
Which, all in all, is probably not a bad thing given the Crusaders will host the Chiefs in what promises to be a feisty Super Rugby Pacific semifinal in Christchurch tonight.
As if tensions between the two teams won’t already be sky-high, the Crusaders know the Chiefs aren’t likely to deviate from the abrasive style they usually bring to Orangetheory Stadium.
Asked what to expect from the Chiefs, Goodhue says: niggle, line speed and pressure on the ball.
The key for Crusaders players will be to resist the urge to dish out any jungle justice, given referee Nic Berry and his fellow officials won’t be afraid to add to the river of red or yellow cards that have flowed through the competition this season.
‘‘I think knowing the niggle is going to happen, knowing the Chiefs are going to bring it, allows you to prepare for it mentally and know that it doesn’t mean anything,’’ Goodhue said. ‘‘You just have to focus on your own game.’’
Making fast decisions, being accurate and communicating is always crucial for midfielders, and the Crusaders’ experienced pair of David Havili and Goodhue should expect few favours from their opposites Quinn Tupaea and Alex Nankivell.
Knowing how to deal with the off-the-ball stuff is a valuable skill, given the Chiefs have prided themselves on aggression on both sides of the ball for the past decade.
Goodhue, 26, isn’t interested in offering a physical response if provoked: ‘‘No, I don’t really like to give it back. I am not against anyone who does put the niggle in.
‘‘For me, it’s never been part of my game. If I started doing that it would probably distract me.’’
There are multiple ways to annoy an opponent, without copping the ref’s wrath, but Goodhue insists he’s not wired that way.
Last weekend the Chiefs delivered a comprehensive performance to beat the Waratahs 39-15 in a quarterfinal in Hamilton, where All Blacks Brodie Retallick and Brad Weber were in hot form.
The Crusaders delivered a knockout blow to the Queensland Reds’ title hopes with a 37-15 win, thanks to their powerful scrum and dominating in the final quarter.
After seven games against non-Kiwi teams, the
Crusaders should expect the Chiefs’ forwards, who will unload All Blacks openside flanker Sam Cane off the bench after he missed several games with a knee injury, to flood the breakdowns in their usual confrontational manner.
This will be Goodhue’s sixth appearance of the season, having missed a large chunk because he spent around a year recovering from a serious knee injury.
‘‘There was a lot going on. It was a multi-ligament [injury]; the MCL, ACL and PCL and a bit of cartilage damage as well.
‘‘This was just a little bit worse than normal.’’
This will be his first playoff game for the Crusaders since the 2019 Super Rugby final against the Jaguares in Christchurch.
During the rehabilitation he remained positive, and never feared his career was over. Maintaining regular contact with team-mates such as Sam Whitelock, and the coaches, also ensured he wasn’t isolated.
‘‘You have just got to deal with the problem you are facing at that moment,’’ Goodhue says.
‘‘The big games are definitely what you miss – the pressure moments, and the games that hold the greatest memories.’’