Schoolboy spotlight: Sam Lane
20 May 2009
Keo.co.za talks to Bishops’ Australian-born flyhalf about his school career and his goals for the future.
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What’s been the highlight of your rugby career so far?
Beating Paarl Gym 5-0 at the WP Schools Day at Newlands this year.
What are your big strengths?
Things like my calmness on the field, my passing and kicking games. I think I’ve got a pretty well-rounded game.
Your dad, Tim, was an assistant coach for the Wallabies and Boks. Has he played a big role in your rugby development?
My dad has always been there to give me advice on little things after matches. I used to hate it and thought he was criticising me, but now I realise he’s trying to help me so I listen to him. He, like my mum, always gets me off the couch … even at his old age he helps me with my passing, kicking and running! But I think the biggest thing he’s shown me is that things in rugby – and life – don’t just happen because I want them to. They will only happen if I’m willing to make them happen.
Who else has influenced your career?
My coaches at school, Mr [Dave] Mallett, Kevin Foote and Gareth Hayden. They always guide me which helps develop my game. I think my mum has probably had the biggest influence on me though, she’s always the one that keeps me going when I’m lazy.
Who’s your favourite player?
Dan Carter, because of his ability to read and control the game. He seems to bring a certain calmness out in the guys around him.
And your favourite team?
Queensland Reds.
Your toughest opponent?
When I was at home in Sydney I remember playing a New Zealand school side – some of the Maori and islander boys really let you know they’re there and make you think twice about things.
What are your future ambitions?
I’d like to take everything as it comes, to continue playing rugby and see where it takes me. To be able to play at the highest level possible and just see how things go. Hopefully one day I’ll get to play in a Test match.
By Gareth Wright

9 Comments
20 May 2009, 11:28 am
cool, the last thing i needed to read was a thing about a bishops boy and how they recruit ausies. can we get an interview from jake whites son seeing he is a bishops boy too…
20 May 2009, 11:47 am
WTF kind of article is this?!
Is this kid living in SA now?
Or is he going back to Aus?
I see he is a Reds fan…
20 May 2009, 11:57 am
Dam this was a cracker of an interview! must of taken all of a minute.
20 May 2009, 12:36 pm
He went to Bishops in Grade 4, 5 and 6 then went back to Aus and then came back again last year. He came back because wanted to, not becuase Bishops ‘recruited’ him…
20 May 2009, 12:57 pm
Lilly White
20 May 2009, 13:30 pm
#4 WP_: Good on him then!
20 May 2009, 19:29 pm
I just lost 1min of my life. Wasted 1min. REading this sh*t , come on geeze.
29 May 2009, 12:01 pm
how dare you criticise sam lane. you guys obviously havent seen him play and seen him dynamic gameplay and calm composure. sam lane is god
31 May 2009, 14:28 pm
. wp_boytjie obviously a bit jelous bishops have talented players that wanna play for the no 1 school in the country. The fact that a minute of your life was wasted is a shame. So why u waste another minute writing this ridiculas coment. Maybe you should keep you ignorance to yourself
Sam Lane, ‘educated left boot’
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