Ronan O’Gara Reveals What Johan Goosen Has Said To Him About His Shock Retirement

South African playmaker Johan Goosen announced his shock retirement from rugby last month much to the confusion of the rugby world and more importantly his club, French giants Racing 92.

Last year’s Top 14 player of the year is just 23 years of his age, with the announcement leaving many people scratching their heads. It came out of nowhere, with Racing coach Ronan O’Gara admitting that the first he had heard of it was on twitter.

The former Ireland and Munster star, now a coach with Racing 92 has now spoken to French media, revealing what Goosen told him regarding his shock retirement. Goosen told him that it is the will of his wife and he’s convinced that his life was to live on a farm.

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. 

“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.”

The former Munster and Ireland playmaker goes on to say that he has tried to put himself into Goosen’s shoes, and understand what the player is experiencing, but still 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.”

Goosen has been linked with a shock return to the game with Gloucester in recent weeks, with many speculating his retirement announcement was just a clever tactic to get out of his contract with Racing. The French club have since issued legal proceedings.