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, 13:03 pm
@Fern(Fern)-148: A casino…? Oh fark… They let fullahs like Poops near the tables….?? Eish…
12 May 2011, 13:03 pm
Lambie is pretty darn ordinary, really.
12 May 2011, 13:05 pm
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-152: like Aaron Cruden hey?
12 May 2011, 13:05 pm
@Fern(Fern)-148:
poops is a cooler?
12 May 2011, 13:06 pm
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-152:
Better than your life.
Early 50′s and still living with your mom…
12 May 2011, 13:06 pm
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-152: he is better than Donald & Stephen Brett that’s for sure!
12 May 2011, 13:07 pm
The Tag Team, Heavens Game and Fernly double teaming on Popps.
Dumb and Dumber.
The **** never drops far from the fagggots poeholle.
12 May 2011, 13:09 pm
pooper69 is doing well,his ceiling in nz would be a manager of the pokies room in a pub.
@cane(cane)-157:
23 years and counting bud.
12 May 2011, 13:09 pm
Ahh, another little SS (SheepShagger) comes in from the cold….
12 May 2011, 13:11 pm
Cane for the Pain… Wonder if he’s thrown a bottle or two at a rugger match…
12 May 2011, 13:11 pm
Lambies Fearless!
Wait till he lands his pretty little posterior in Sheep Shagger Territory.
12 May 2011, 13:12 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-160:
Right on cue old pooper69′s love child enters to defend him:-)
12 May 2011, 13:13 pm
@cane(cane)-157: ” the fagggots poeholle” being Pooper the pimp… of course.
12 May 2011, 13:14 pm
@cane(cane)-161:
what is the age of consent for a sheep?
or is it a case of if there is grass on the field then graze?
12 May 2011, 13:14 pm
@Fern(Fern)-162:
12 May 2011, 13:15 pm
You Kiwis and Aussies fall for the stuff all the time. HG and co know just which buttons to push. And you okes dive in boots and all.
Most entertaining stuff. Mostly.
12 May 2011, 13:16 pm
@Fern(Fern)-162: Got a joke for you…
A Kiwi girl goes to WINZ to register for solo parents benefit.’How many children?’ asks the case worker.’10′ replies the Kiwi girl ’10?’ says the case worker.’What are their names?”Wayne, Wayne, Wayne, Wayne, Wayne, Wayne, Wayne, Wayne, Wayne and Wayne”Doesn’t that get confusing?”Naah…’ says the Kiwi girl.’Its great because if they are out playing in the street I just have to shout WAYNE, Come and have a feed, or WAYNE GO TO BED NOW’ and they all do it…”What if you want to speak to one individually?’ says the perturbed case worker.’That’s easy,’ says the Kiwi girl…’I just use their surnames’
12 May 2011, 13:17 pm
“Lambie has ascended; he has begun to spread his wings.”
What’s this…………………………………………………….another Angel playing for the Fishies.
FFS ……….JC.
12 May 2011, 13:18 pm
Fern… another one:
Coupla Kiwis standing at the bar when a willowy young fella sidles up and whispers in Wayne’s ear “Would you like a blo.wjob?” Wayne instantly smashes him to the floor,kicks him to a pulp then turns back to his beer. “What the hell was that about?” says his mate. “Pr.ick offered me some sort of a job!”
12 May 2011, 13:19 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-167:
Bwhahaha.
Cane I am just busy braaing some rump sosaties so please dont take offence if I dont answer you straight back.You know how it is.
Eish sorry,you don’t:-)
12 May 2011, 13:20 pm
Got to go…
12 May 2011, 13:20 pm
Q) What is the difference between Fernly and a dog turrd?
Is the answer:
A) not much.
12 May 2011, 13:21 pm
b) very little.
12 May 2011, 13:22 pm
C) Nothing/Zilch/Nada/Zero.
12 May 2011, 13:23 pm
D) You can scrap a dog turrd off your shoe.
12 May 2011, 13:23 pm
@cane(cane)-172:
What’s the dif between me and cane?
My country has not las won the rwc 23 years ago:-)
Now cane go and warm up that cheese and mince pie and have a feed.
12 May 2011, 13:24 pm
E) Doggie Dodo’s have a class of friends than fernly.
12 May 2011, 13:27 pm
Cheers all,have a good day/night.
Some serious braaing is starting now:-)
12 May 2011, 13:27 pm
OOOPs
have a BETTER class of friends…..
12 May 2011, 13:28 pm
Wooon Huuuundred and Aaaaayteeeee!!!
12 May 2011, 13:32 pm
181 the metric equivalent of a 69er.
12 May 2011, 13:35 pm
@At least Os will still wear green (but no gold)(stormersboy)-166:
Yeah I know Stormboy.
8)
12 May 2011, 13:35 pm
So Chabal isn’t going to the WC? That’s quite a surprise to me,,,
12 May 2011, 13:37 pm
@Vetkoek(Vetkoek)-118:
yes, its somewhat ironic isnt it
Safas have invented squillions of Conspiracy Theories over the years and recited them repeatedly ‘as fact’ – citings, travel, referees, rule changes, SANZAR & IRB collusion – and yet the ONE Theory they dismiss out of hand, laughably, is the one where they benefitted from, when all the moons wondrously aligned (at home, at altitude, dodgy Semi win, 20 of the matchday-22 NZ squad sick, ABs chundering on the sideline).
you would almost call this over-reliance and quick-dismissiveness of Conspiracy Theories
‘convenient’
12 May 2011, 13:43 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-184:
Blackie.
Put fatcakes down.
You don’t know where he’s been.
12 May 2011, 13:46 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-184:
Her name was Susan Dawn Von Dronkalaar.
And she was from Germiston. (Where ever the hell that is).
12 May 2011, 13:51 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-184: Even you have to admit that some supposed poisoning effort by some never-to-be-seen again waitress with only a first name, supposedly authorised by the very top, in order to deliver a nation-building victory seems like Lord of the Rings compared to a plain email, in black and white between Aus and Kiwi refs, that read “Let’s get the Japies.” Just saying.
12 May 2011, 13:52 pm
@cane(cane)-186:
Peaches is a double-triple agent ?!?
12 May 2011, 13:53 pm
@cane(cane)-186:
it’s almost time for the sequel.
are you mothers ready for some seafood burritos?
12 May 2011, 14:00 pm
@seabiscuit(seabiscuit)-2:
Sea Biscuit(correct version), like Sea Cottage, you are long gone and there is a new kid on the block, as always. His name is Animal Kingdom. Watch him Sat., a week from this coming one, duel it out with Dialed in, during the running of the Preakness in Maryland to witness who earns the right to wear the blanket of Black Eye Susans(like sunflowers to you).
Dialed in may just bust that bubble of his as he tries to win the 2nd. leg of the Triple Crown.
Only one has won the S.African triple crown, do you know who that is?
12 May 2011, 14:02 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-187:
‘supposed’ ?
yep, its convenient alright.
‘only a first name’ ?
yup, most of us have one
my favourite SA Conspiracy Theory, out of the squillions, was a recent one….it went something like ‘after 2009, when the Boks beat ABs 3-0, IRB (ie Paddy) changed the Laws of Rugby Union to negate the Boks thrilling kick’n'clap tactics and changed it specifically to suit NZs running game and thereby give NZ an advantage enough to win the RWC’
It was so accepted that Krusty even felt so bold as to verbalise it in 2010 after getting his butt spanked in NZ.
and to think, ‘poisoning’ is dismissed out of hand by the same deluded minds.
convenient, no ?
12 May 2011, 14:11 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-191: All I know is I’m really looking forward to Excuse Version 2011. You guys really let yourselves down last time with the “Forward Pass” – no imagination, no drama, no magic. I trust you’ll do better after your quarterfinal exit this year. Something like “The midget prostitutes that were given to the team as a traditional pre-tournament gift by the ANC Youth League were all deliberately infected with a rare strain of foot and mouth disease that affected Danny’s kicking, Richie’s hearing and Sunni’s forward pass judgement”. I’ll almost buy that.
12 May 2011, 14:12 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-187: Get your fact straight. It was “get the yarpies”. They couldn’t even spell that correctly. We rolled over and played dead on that one. It’s the only prove instance of a conspiracy to deliberately predjudice the very country who bring them the most revenue in terms of TV rights.
We should have nailed them on that one. Anyone else would have. They would have.
12 May 2011, 14:14 pm
@At least Os will still wear green (but no gold)(stormersboy)-193: Sorry forgot to add the smiley.
12 May 2011, 14:21 pm
actually, according to panty, these despicable deeds go back to circa 1976 when one gert bezuidenhout refused to speak english to the kiwis.
hmmmmm
wonder how many kiwi refs had spoken afrikaans to the boks prior to that?
12 May 2011, 14:25 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-192:
ha
yep, you guys have an AMAZING ability to just dream them up, just like THAT
it must be genetic
12 May 2011, 14:27 pm
@charo(charo)-195:
step forward Apologist Thing 1
wheres your spiritual brother, Big Hit Thing 2 ?
12 May 2011, 14:28 pm
Articles such as these are enjoyable to read, but provide little value.
The reason I say this is because the author speaks about one player in isolation.
A far more insightful angle would be arguing Lambie’s value in specific combinations.
For example, what kind of scrumhalf would benefit his game, and vice versa? More importantly for me, what kind of 12 do you want to play next to Lambie vis-a-vis Morne Steyn?
That is the kind of analysis I expect on Keo and his journalists and I am sorry to say, it is becoming ever more rare.
12 May 2011, 14:31 pm
@willievz(willievz)-198:
play the cheetah scrumhalf next to him.that kid has variety,and a no9 with variety buys his 10 even more time.
12 May 2011, 14:35 pm
@At least Os will still wear green (but no gold)(stormersboy)-193: the difference between the Suzie and ANZAC reffing conspiracies is that there is an email to prove our theory, no one can dispute the mail, even those sods apologized for it proving the whole thing, i say to the kiwis, dont be pissed at us for the ability to effectively hide our under handedness
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