Lambie’s fearless
12 May 2011
JON CARDINELLI, writing in SA Rugby magazine, says South Africa’s great prodigy continues to exceed expectations.
Pat Lambie can’t miss. He kicks six out of six against the Melbourne Rebels, and calls kicking consultant Braam van Straaten after the Sharks’ victory. ‘Coach, I’m hitting the ball so sweetly, it feels like I can’t miss,’ he says. That rare combination of skill and composure is once again evident as he nails three out of three the very next week.
In October 2010, SA Rugby magazine hailed the arrival of a special talent. Lambie exhibited all the attributes of a match-winning flyhalf, although at the time of writing, he was yet to substantiate the speculation; he was yet to take control. That article was written about a promising teenager, and few could have predicted the accelerated metamorphosis he would undergo in the next five months.
Lambie has ascended; he has begun to spread his wings. He led the Sharks to a Currie Cup title with a dazzling all-round display against Western Province. The sharp tactical probes, the visionary distribution and, of course, the daring dart and fend on Schalk Burger that epitomised his audacity. That moment alone will go down in domestic history, but on a longer timeline, it will serve as a precursor to greater deeds.
It’s an unshakeable confidence that’s come to mark him more than his natural feel for the game. Lambie believes he can’t miss, and through his increasingly impressive feats, more and more people are beginning to share this confidence.
Van Straaten picked up on that defining quality in the build-up to the 2010 Currie Cup final. Tasked with refining Lambie’s kicking technique, Van Straaten was surprised by the youngster’s penchant for responsibility. Van Straaten and Lambie spent a total of five hours during that final week discussing technique and practising an array of kicks, and it formed the basis for what was to become a prosperous working relationship.
They linked up again during the Sharks’ pre-season, and Lambie remained ambitious. While firmly entrenched as the first-choice flyhalf, there was still much to prove. There were other factors that contributed to his erratic goal-kicking on the Springbok tour of the home nations, but it was clear that his technique was holding him back.
‘There were some fundamental flaws that needed correcting,’ says Van Straaten, a former Springbok flyhalf with a reputation for goal-kicking accuracy. ‘His body position was wrong and his last step towards the ball wasn’t quite right. It took quite a while to fix, but as we saw during the early stages of Super Rugby this year, that hard work has paid off.
‘For a developing player like Pat, you want him exposed to as much ball as possible. This applies to kicking as much as it does to other areas of his game. I’d noticed that the Sharks used Stefan Terblanche as their primary kicker when they kicked for touch, and so I spoke to the Sharks’ coaches and suggested that Pat take on that responsibility. The good habits he’d picked up after working on his goal-kicking were carried across to his kicking out of hand, and because he got a feel for kicking the ball to touch early in the game, he would have some rhythm before kicking for goal.’
The Sharks won four of their first five matches and Lambie boasted a goal-kicking average of 86%. The improvement in his tactical game was also evident, and if not for a finger fracture that sidelined him for three weeks, he may have continued to top the point-scoring table.
While the Sharks toured Australasia, Lambie stayed in close contact with Van Straaten. The latter continued to analyse Lambie’s kicking performances and mail him video clips and feedback. It was after the Sharks beat the Rebels 34-32 in Melbourne and Lambie kicked six out of six that Van Straaten received a phone call from his prodigy.
‘It was a proud moment for me as a coach,’ recalls Van Straaten. ‘We had changed his kicking style and he’d put in the work, and he had progressed to the point where he felt like he just couldn’t miss. And it wasn’t a case of arrogance or over-confidence. He was kicking like an absolute king.’
Lambie’s performances with the boot and with ball in hand have not gone unnoticed. There’s a healthy appreciation for the 20-year-old in Sharks country, while members of the Springbok management are keeping a close eye on his progress.
He already has four Test caps and was on the field when South Africa completed wins against Ireland, Wales and England last year. But whether he gained anything from that northern sojourn is a point of contention.
Before that touring squad was announced, Sharks coach John Plumtree said that it wasn’t ‘necessary’ for Lambie to be involved. Having watched the four Tests and the questionable manner in which Lambie was managed, you’d have to agree that the youngster would have been better served continuing his development in a Sharks jumper. The Bok management introduced Lambie from the bench at odd times, and even the softest of critics would have viewed it as an example of a player being set up to fail. Morné Steyn was in great goal-kicking form, and yet coach Peter de Villiers decided to trade Steyn for Lambie at times when the game was still in the balance.
Lambie admitted that he would have liked a start, but tempered the talk of frustration by adding that the tour provided him with good exposure to the Bok systems. Sharks assistant coach Grant Bashford has been impressed with Lambie’s progress in Super Rugby, and suggests that the flyhalf took the whole Bok experience in his stride.
‘I’m not sure that he added anything to his game after touring with the Boks, but he certainly didn’t do himself a discredit,’ says Bashford. ‘A great deal of work has been done since his return, and he continues to impress everybody, not only with his skill, but also with his attitude.
‘We always felt he would end up at flyhalf, but fate certainly had a hand in his move to the position as early as last year. He came into the Super 14 side as a fullback because Adi Jacobs was out injured and we had to move Stefan Terblanche to outside centre. Then we moved Pat to No 12 in the Currie Cup and eventually to flyhalf when Steve Meyer suffered that big knee injury. Sometimes these things happen for the best.’
Butch James must start at No 10 for the Boks at this year’s World Cup, as he has the all-round game as well as the experience of having won the tournament in 2007. Lambie is the future of South African rugby, but history will show that experienced teams win World Cups.
There is still value in taking the 20-year-old to New Zealand and exposing him to a tournament of this magnitude. He’s handled everything the rugby world has thrown at him, and while it’s a travesty of justice that a starting opportunity didn’t come his way last November, Lambie’s shown a temperament that, like the rest of his skills set, is in another class.
‘Pat has so much time on the ball, he never gets rattled,’ says Bashford. ‘Sure, he’s got a great forward platform to play off, but he’s made the most of that possession.
‘He’s responded fantastically to the responsibility that’s been offered to him. He’s an old head on young shoulders, he makes the big calls and he’s asked for the responsibility to kick. He also has the respect of the younger and senior players. Everybody backs him to make the big decisions.’
And despite his perceived lack of size, he’s stood up to the physical intensity of top-flight rugby. Even in the matches where his forwards have been under pressure, as was the case in that loss to the Chiefs, he doesn’t shirk his defensive duties.
‘Pat’s not exactly small at 92kg,’ says Bashford. ‘His tackle efficiency [before he was sidelined for three weeks] is 93%, so he looks after that all-important flyhalf channel. It’s a channel every team targets nowadays, and Pat’s proved he can handle that pressure.’
The cynics have drawn parallels between Lambie and Frans Steyn, Ruan Pienaar and Brent Russell, but the fact that Lambie played fullback before flyhalf doesn’t mean that he’s doomed to a career as a utility. There was much debate about his best position in 2010, but the argument is now settled. Lambie is a flyhalf. End of story.
At a tender age, Lambie already offers more than Frans Steyn and Russell. Steyn never had the sharp decision-making skills required of a top-class 10, while Russell’s kicking game was a perpetual shortcoming. Pienaar had all the attributes but was never backed in the position, and at times struggled for confidence. It’s clear that Lambie has no such problem. Ask Van Straaten. Ask Bashford. Ask the kid himself. He can’t miss.
‘Pat’s already light years ahead of other players his age,’ says Van Straaten. ‘That kind of calmness under pressure usually comes with experience, but he’s already
there. He’s got all the time in the world, whether he’s running with the ball or kicking it. It’s a mark of the really good players.
‘He has time on his side, and I’d like to see him used in the Tri-Nations before the World Cup. Test rugby has more pressure and variables than Super Rugby. I’d like to see him entrusted with that responsibility, and I’d be surprised if he didn’t pass that test.’
– This article first appeared in the May issue of SA Rugby magazine. The June issue will be on sale from Wednesday, 18 May.
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471 Comments
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12 May 2011, 09:44 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-43: you see now poppa, you have the likes of foreverugga jumping up & down with this political talk.
12 May 2011, 09:44 am
@Atreides(Atreides)-48: may be boring, but you certainly jumped and swallowed the whole hook, line AND sinker…
thanks
12 May 2011, 09:45 am
@Atreides(Atreides)-48: Give it another 300 years or so before apartheid becomes a non-issue… hopefully!
12 May 2011, 09:47 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-50: What are you doing on a SPRINGBOK web site ? Of course there will be one eyed Bok supporters on here !!
You should go to Silver Fern and big it up with your fellow AB supporters there !
Afraid you come across as cheap baiting supporters on their own web site.. mate.
12 May 2011, 09:47 am
@Atreides(Atreides)-48: cmon hypocrite, you never speak up when your countrymen are dishing it out on NZ… why is that? why is that different to my highlighting your countries problems, as so many are want to do about NZ on this very blog..
12 May 2011, 09:47 am
@Atreides(Atreides)-48: well said…
12 May 2011, 09:48 am
Bambie is the real deal.
You cant fake technique nor temperment. He might lack the razzle and dazzle of Carter but he is clearly our best flyhalf. He has upped his percenatges for goal, which certain sectors where hoping this white kid would fail, which makes him my pick for the Boks. Shame on you closet racsit no1.Tranny. Look at who his 2 outside centres are too which shows you his talent.
He is not brittle like Pienaar and does not need to be held back either. He needs to be in the RWC squad and hopefully our verkrampde nature does not see him exlcuded for Butch or Grant.
He even had the nous to turn towards the tryline so if the ball fumled it would go towards the line. The first time I saw him, he fielded a high kick by catching the ball in the air. Now that is basic but how many Saffa players catch the ball with thier feet firmaly on the ground??? So doff.
Go Bambie proove your doubters wrong and help keep our trophy at home where it belongs (Thats for you poopa)
12 May 2011, 09:50 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-34:
he is just returning serve.
it’s because of all the canoe jokes.
he is fighting fire with apple sauce.
12 May 2011, 09:51 am
@seabiscuit(seabiscuit)-2:
so youre insinuating the injured ABs arent actually injured, but are rested instead ?
you saw DC pull up with a hammy at Twickenham – faking it ?
McCaw has a metal-screw inserted in his foot – faking it ?
C.Smith (briliiant against Boks in 2010) had his nose spread like peanut butter – faking it ?
12 May 2011, 09:52 am
pooper69 is just homesick.he left nz because it is boring and the chances of making a good carreer is slim.
nz is full of expats and islanders mostly,most kiwis are in aus.
why is that?
pooper i have got bigger fish to fry than to debate with you.i am working on a development and a idea for a niche restaurant.
12 May 2011, 09:52 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-55: NZ has it’s own share of inequalities caused by racial separation and land grabbing. Just ask Hone.
12 May 2011, 09:53 am
@Great White Shark(Predawn)-5:
PrePrawn
has there ever been a Conspiracy Theory that you HAVENT bought in to ?
12 May 2011, 09:54 am
@bananas(bananas)-54:
so one eyed supporters are allowed to say all sorts of things, but others have to just take it and shut up? lol Ive seen plenty worse said about NZ then Ive ever said about SA…but keep that other eye closed, mate…
bully boy mentality at its finest.. I actually come here to try and get a SA perspective on rugby, but then I have to wade through the countless jibes/put downs/downright hate directed at me and my ilk just because we happen to have a great rugby team..
s dont get all righteous now… unless of course you can point me to the posts of yours that show that you berate all those who throw insults around on this site, not just the international contingent..
but I wont hold my breath…
12 May 2011, 09:54 am
Poppa labelling someone a “hypocrite”… That takes the Cake!!! LOL… Rolling over… Can’t… breath… BWAAAAAAAAAAHAAAAA!!!!
12 May 2011, 09:54 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-55: Well I am on here very seldom, and usually as an observer to read about rugby, which many on here know plenty about. But I do get annoyed because for every post about rugger there are 15 long winded, repetitive, flogging-a-dead-horse ones i have to scroll past
12 May 2011, 09:55 am
Panty talking about “conspiracy theories”…
… Stop it… You’re killing me…
12 May 2011, 09:56 am
@Fern(Fern)-60:
a canoe themed restaurant?
catch your own supper?
naval battles between courses?
waiters that spit in your food because they are just returning serve?
Ushaka Marineworld meets Hard Rock Cafe meets the Gaza strip?
Brilliant, I’m in.
12 May 2011, 09:57 am
@Fern(Fern)-60: dont worry about poopa96 he carries the standard Kiwi chip on his shoulders of living in a country better than his own therefore he has to come here to make himslef feel better. He becoming an Aussie more and more as he has lived here longer than at home.
12 May 2011, 09:57 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-59: It’s damn nerve-wracking when our respective top players are all pulling up with niggles and injuries like this!!!
12 May 2011, 09:57 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-59: SA used to do the same with John Smit. He always missed the first half of the Super Rugby due to “injury”. That’s until they realized he sat on the couch and ate doughnuts for three months.
12 May 2011, 09:58 am
Poppa…
” I have to wade through the countless jibes/put downs/downright hate”… Yoohooo!!!
Funny pills today…. LOLLLLLLLLL
12 May 2011, 09:59 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-24:
hilarious innit, the paranoia factor apparently multiplies exponentially in RWC year.
to name Conrad (peanut butter nose) and Nonu (broken eye socket) and McCaw (metal screw) and STILL think theres enough there to plant a conspiracy seed, well desperation never was a good look.
12 May 2011, 09:59 am
@Atreides(Atreides)-65: oh, you mean like the 50 we have to scroll past about choking, anzac alliance, Paddy Obrien etc..
not my fault a lot of Saffas here (like Fern and HG) hardly ever talk about rugby, but Ive seen how precious so many of you have got over one little comment of mine…
food for thought perhaps? probably not, because blokes like fern are born and bred on hatred, its in their blood, in their genetic makeup, they just cant help it…
12 May 2011, 10:00 am
@Fern(Fern)-60:
Also busy with consulting on the design of a rdp housing township.
You will notice I am not here as much as I used to be.
Busy man busy:-)
12 May 2011, 10:02 am
@KevinRack(KevinRack)-68: ah kevin, arent you in that very same country? continue mamparra, keep talking about me re-locating when youve done exactly the same thing… and Ive lived in aussie longer then NZ have I? you know this how?
hahahahahaha
12 May 2011, 10:02 am
Panty… mentioning “paranoia factor”….
“PARANOIA FACTOR”….?!? hehehehehehe
Sorry, I have the giggles…. LOL
12 May 2011, 10:03 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-72: its pathetic mate… and SA’s think we have an “entitlement” when it comes to rugby… one only need look at the very many conspiracies to see which country has the “rugby entitlement” issue..
12 May 2011, 10:04 am
Anyway… Lambie. The best 10 in the Country. Fullstop.
12 May 2011, 10:05 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-73:
Choking – rugby
Anzac alliance – rugby
Paddy Obrien – rugby
Conspiraces – rugby
Apartheid – NOT rugby
Crime – NOT rugby
I’m sure you can handle the jibes about a game. Why resort to the political BS?
And if some fool makes a below-the-belt remark, here’s a thought, scroll on by and let him be a fool alone
12 May 2011, 10:05 am
Glory, surely people realize by now that its Pooppa’s goal is to reduce any thread from topic to a mud slinging match, if you ignore his repetitive ramblings he will be forced to talk about the topic itself.
12 May 2011, 10:05 am
I think Richie had screw inserted in his head cos he is permanently concussed.
12 May 2011, 10:05 am
I love the smell of a fresh Conspiracy Theory in the morning
12 May 2011, 10:06 am
what i do find hilarious is at least my comments have brought out all the trolls in one gathering..
you have HG, or as he is lovingly referred to as Hitler’s Gimp..
Gunther and his non comedic timings
Kevinrack- obviously a heroin junkie with a name like that, and the intelligence to match..
Fern – the “I’ll fark anything with/without a heartbeat” kid..
12 May 2011, 10:06 am
@Fern(Fern)-74: Wonder how many of those you could build with the money the Prez and his cronies are using on their home renovations?
12 May 2011, 10:07 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-75: Yes it is as redicolus as 90% of your posts. Vat soe katvis.
Hahaha bitching on a bok site about one eyed supporters so funny. I have to say you do put off a lot of people blogging on this site with your whinging and trolling. In fact you claim you like saffas. hahahaha but I do like your stamina though.
But whats a a Kiwi without a whinge?
12 May 2011, 10:07 am
YAWWNN
12 May 2011, 10:07 am
Have to save this one…
“I have to wade through the countless jibes/put downs/downright hate”…
Beyootiful!!!
12 May 2011, 10:08 am
Is it any coincidence that Matfield “should” have been rested for Bulls on the same weekend that McCaw/DC/Conrad/Nonu all get accused of ‘faking injuries’ ?
me thinks not.
Maybe Big Vic has an arm injury you can find underneath that reinforced titanium armblade of his n?
12 May 2011, 10:10 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-83:
poops.
spend some time on silver fern.
get your confidence back.
12 May 2011, 10:11 am
Bambie to kick the drop goal to keep our cup. I tell ya we need to him to start ahead of Steyn.
12 May 2011, 10:11 am
An interesting “Conspiracy theory”:
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1011/S00325/beer-in-cups-a-solution-to-crowd-misbehaviour.htm
Really looking forward to RWC 2011
12 May 2011, 10:13 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-91: Another one:
http://colinboagsblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/kiwis-behaving-badly.html
12 May 2011, 10:14 am
@MacToogie(MacToogie)-80: not at all Mac, I’ll talk rugby when the talk is rugby, but very little rugby talk goes on on this site…
@Atreides(Atreides)-79: Choking? rugby? you mean like when the WCs choked in the 19-0 at Newlands? was that a choke? just trying to understand the term correctly..
ANZAC alliance? seriously? this is rugby? the Anzac alliance doesnt even exist, the ANZACs were men who served during the world wars, how the fark is the ANZACs rugby?
Conspiracies? how is that rugby? thats just a bunch of sore losers trying to salvage some pride by blaming their teams poor perfromance on other factors (and before you mention it, I never believed the Susie theory)..
Apartheid = quotas? not rugby? ok then, if you say so..
Crime? agreed, not rugby, but then neither is Sheepshaggers aye?
12 May 2011, 10:14 am
@Atreides(Atreides)-84:
Gov states it costs something like R60 000 to build a rdp house.This most prob includes the establishment of services.Sexwale recently announced that “free” housing is a thing of the past so it will be interesting to see how this is going to work.
There is a transfer of deed when a rdp house is delivered,but a rdp house can not be sold by it’s owner,this in turn means no loan can be made and the house put up as surity.
12 May 2011, 10:17 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-63: Strange how you mention righteous, I would even say sanctimonious .. but about you.
Of course there is trash talking on this site, it is a one eyed Bok site and nobody i have read pretends it is the dictum of fairness.
If you dont like the talk and it is by no way your role nor mine to moderate it then dont come on here.
Back to the square root, go to Silverfern where its all sweetness and light. Oh and I bet there are no derogatory remarks about SA on there ? Because of course you as adjudictor would challenege them right ?
Your comments are equally as inflamatory at times, that is fine its an open forum but dont pretend your interest in this site is purely “perspective on NZ rugby”.
Enjoy your great rugby team !
12 May 2011, 10:21 am
The Kiwi comment that follows this article is priceless:
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/debate-rages-over-cause-crowd-behaviour-3883960
“What the hell is wrong with throwing some plastic bottles in the air! i was at an all blacks game in hamilton 2 years ago and there was a mexican wave and bottles were thrown in the air and onto the feild, no media reports on that one. Sure i think it was uncalled for to boo the ozzys and throw bottles on the feild. but atmosphere makes a game!”…. LOLLLLLLLL!!!
12 May 2011, 10:24 am
@bananas(bananas)-95: give up he does not listen and will not give up.
Kinda doff like bull terrier and just as ugly but he will not give up. We are some kinda of pennance for the poor little boy, hence the *** nic.
12 May 2011, 10:25 am
@Fern(Fern)-94: Yea and it\’s not exactly like they built that many of them either…wonder how all those poor buggers who were promised houses feel now….political expediency, eish
12 May 2011, 10:25 am
thanks guys, been so easy and fun… killed my last hour at work..
excellent…
hope you guys dont fall off all your high horses…
12 May 2011, 10:25 am
@Fern(Fern)-94: Yea and it\’s not exactly like they built that many of them either…wonder how all those poor buggers who were promised houses feel now….political expediency, eish@poppa69(poppa69)-93: rugby-related …..
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