Racing 92 and Ronan O’Gara are still trying to come to terms with the news that Johan Goosen has retired.
Goosen announced his retirement last month at the age of 24.
The Springbok fly-half, who has been capped 13-times by his country, said he was finished with rugby and that he intends to return to South Africa to take-up a “commercial director” role.
This has not gone down well https://t.co/U84sGrkbol
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) December 16, 2016
However, Racing weren’t convinced.
Jacky Lorenzetti, the club’s director, released a statement titled: “Johan Goosen announces retirement – are we to believe it?”
The club’s shock was compounded by the fact Goosen recently extended his contract with the Parisian club until 2020.
And reports in France linking the retired Goosen with a move to Gloucester, who are in the process of being taken over by Montpellier’s owner Mohad Altrad, haven’t helped the situation.
Reading between lines @racing92 fear Johan Goosen hasn't played final game. Enmity exists between Lorenzetti and @MHR_officiel boss Altrad
— Martin Gillingham (@MartGillingham) December 16, 2016
I think we can work on the basis Johan Goosen will not be retired for long. Source of dispute is player's new long-term deal with @racing92
— Martin Gillingham (@MartGillingham) December 16, 2016
Goosen has since been absent from training, and Racing have resolved to launch civil and criminal proceedings against the 24-year-old.
While Racing’s directors aren’t happy over the situation, Ronan O’Gara is keeping a cool head.
Saga ahoy! https://t.co/BhLQGpgi0U
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) January 3, 2017
The Racing coach, and former Ireland fly-half, was asked about Goosen’s retirement by French media, and had a very measured response to the whole messy situation.
” The reality is that this is a very good performer, but if his head is not good, it’s not easy for us to do something,” O’Gara said.Â
“I talked a lot with him, he was convinced that his life was to live on a farm. He said it three weeks ago that it was the will of his wife… If that’s it, that’s it … but it would be a great loss for the rugby.”
O’Gara also said that he tried to put himself into Goosen’s shoes, and understand what the player is experiencing, but he finds the whole situation to be strange.
“I thought a lot about it. I try to put myself in the place of Johan, I do not know what its purpose is, why he made a decision like that. This is not a weird guy but his decision is very strange. It’s something almost incredible.”
