All Black and Crusaders midfielder Jack Goodhue confirms French move

Jack Goodhue has signed a two-year deal to play in France. Photosport

All Blacks and Crusaders midfielder Jack Goodhue has signed a two-year contract with French club Castres Olympique.

The 28-year-old will move to southern France after completing rugby commitments in New Zealand. He recently missed selection for the 36-man All Blacks squad for the Rugby Championship but he was named in the All Blacks XV squad as he looks to push his place for a spot at the 2023 World Cup.

Goodhue made his All Blacks debut in 2017 and started in the 2019 semifinal defeat to England but he hasn’t played a test since 2020 with knee injuries forcing him on the sidelines.

The Herald understands the Blues were interested in signing Goodhue, but instead he joins fellow Crusaders teammates Sam Whitelock (Pau) and Leicester Fainga’anuku (Toulon) who have signed with French clubs while first five-eighth Richie Mo’unga is heading to Japan to play with Toshiba.

“Playing for the Crusaders and the All Blacks has literally been a dream come true for me,” Goodhue said.

“Being a part of the Crusaders family, playing 81 games in the jersey, representing New Zealand on the biggest stages, it’s been awesome.

“But the time has come for me to take up a new adventure in an exciting competition in France.

“My wife Sophie and I are excited to experience a new culture, language and environment.”

Goodhue debuted for the Crusaders against the Brumbies in round one of the 2017 Super Rugby season, in what was also Scott Robertson’s first year as Crusaders coach.

The 2017 title kicked off the Crusaders dynasty of seven straight championships, with Goodhue an ever-present threat in the centre. He scored 13 tries across his career, but as Robertson has said, it wasn’t his try-scoring that made him such an asset.

“Jack’s one of the best defensive centres in the world,” Robertson said.

“He’s tough, he can square people up on attack, his running lines are exceptional and his general game understanding is really special.”

Robertson said Goodhue’s time as a Crusader “epitomised everything we champion as a team and an organisation”.

“He’s a great man, an incredible professional and a world-class player,” he said.

“Jack’s given a lot to this club and we’re going to miss him.”