What A 'Goode' Player
Andy Goode maybe doesn't get the credit he deserves, 17 caps for England, four successive Premiership titles, two Heineken Cup medals and being one of the most prolific scorers in English rugby tells a different story. Not to mention recent promotion with the Worcester Warriors and numerous player of the year nominations.
Coventry-born Goode, who began his career at Barkers Butts, helped many sides to success and has been a big hit in the English game for many years. Although much of his work goes unnoticed, as other players seem to be talked about much more, players like Charlie Hodgson, Jonny Wilkinson and Toby Flood.
After a successful season helping Worcester to promotion, with a try in both legs of the final against the Cornish Pirates, could Goode now make a return to the England squad?
One of the main reasons Goode joined Worcester last year was that playing back in England would enhance his chances of making the squad for this summer's World Cup. After Worcester's relegation to the Championship, Goode then faced a dilemma, as he knew that he could only be selected for England playing Premiership rugby.
He said: "After speaking to Martin Johnson when I returned from South Africa, I was told that I could not be picked for England if I was going to be playing in the Championship but I am a man of my word and I was committed to Worcester.
Goode admitted that it would have been a tough ask anyway with Flood, Hodgson and Wilkinson all in good form, instead he set his sights on playing in the Championship with Worcester, aiming to get back to form and gaining more glory.
He did just that in style after scoring 388 points, helping the Warriors to a hard-fought promotion and giving himself another shot in the Aviva Premiership. Most would think this isn't really much of an achievement because a player of Goode's calibre should breeze through the Championship, but Goode stated that he was surprised by the high standard of rugby.
The 31-year-old even went as far as describing the semi-final win over Bedford as the most nervous game in his career. After playing in European and Premiership finals this certainly shows how much this season meant to the former Leicester man.
"I have appeared in numerous semi-finals for Leicester, but you were always playing for a trophy. You could not escape the feeling against Bedford that jobs depended on the outcome. You could feel the nerves and the tension. You asked yourself what would happen if we lost?, said Goode.
Luckily for Goode and the rest of the Worcester players they prevailed after a thrilling game of rugby. Bedford came within three minutes of a shock win to end the Warriors hopes but a 77th minute Kai Horstmann try and conversion from Joe Carlisle gave them the win. Many would argue that it wasn't fair that Worcester had to even take part in the play-offs after winning the league convincingly and Goode agreed saying 'it's not the right way to decide promotion.'
Goode played a massive part in securing promotion in the final as he scored 16 points away against the Pirates for a 21-12 win followed up by a further 15 points in the home victory 25-20, meaning an aggregate score of 46-32. The fly-half dedicated the promotion to the Worcester board as he believed they owed them promotion as they were the only side that could be promoted anyway.
Another medal won for Goode and more importantly for him the chance to show the elites of rugby what he can do next season. For now Goode looks forward to the World Cup and gives his backing to the England players.
He stated: "I think England have a big opportunity in the World Cup, the guys are playing with confidence because of the belief Johnno has in them. The freedom they are given allows them to enjoy the game. There is a lot good going on and England will fancy playing anyone."
It is very unlikely that Goode will make the trip to New Zealand for the World Cup but if he is chosen we know why. He is still one of the most experienced players in England and still has the quality to make teams pay and whether or not he makes the squad, he still deserves far mor credit for a career like his.
Image from the RFU and Getty Images
