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, 15:44 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-242:
They call that Black Magic, like that pondo guy consulting Tambo for a list of who is to stand for elections. Only in the Kei do we have Trans-for-more -ghosts.
12 May 2011, 15:45 pm
extraball is very ghetto today.
some mofo is goin’ to get a cap busted in their asss.
word.
12 May 2011, 15:45 pm
@ET.(ET.)-249: yawn gatkruiper
12 May 2011, 15:46 pm
@ET.(ET.)-249: Ja… Transie Matanzima… The Keostan’s Paramount Chief…
Maybe he’s a Shark Chief too…
12 May 2011, 15:48 pm
@Nils(Nils)-250: Le Bleu to win their pool… Vivre Le France…
Lets face it SARU have done you chaps a huge favour by keeping Dippy as coach…
12 May 2011, 15:49 pm
@ET.(ET.)-251: Transcendental elections… Postal vote is obsolete…
12 May 2011, 15:52 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-255: Are you sure, you want to meet France in the semis? Because it will not be a choking, it will be usual business of dispatching Boks.
12 May 2011, 15:53 pm
253
Atrocious spelling!
Put the D where it belongs and you correctly and smartly have “dawn gatkruiper”
Do you actually know what it means?
12 May 2011, 15:53 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-255: And by the way, it’s LA France.
You should have known it living there.
12 May 2011, 15:53 pm
I predict a sudden burst of vernacular… or the arrival of the Camps Bay Liberation Front soon…
12 May 2011, 15:54 pm
@Nils(Nils)-259: and LE coq…
12 May 2011, 15:55 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-256:
It now becomes ‘Ghostal’ vote. Only in the Kei of the Informer Megatroll.
12 May 2011, 15:55 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-255: and “vive”.
Vivre is “to live”.
12 May 2011, 15:56 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-205:
As you’re here commenting, we can at least see that you have some basic grasp of the ability to read and write.
So you should have no trouble reading the New Zealand Herald piece, 5:00 AM Friday Mar 26, 1999 titled Rugby: referee fiasco sends out the wrong message, in which the NZRFU chief executive David Moffett, admits that Keith Lawrence had sent the email and that he had apologised to Freek Burger for doing it?
It’s still in the NZH archives.
Oh, but that’s right, you won’t accept it as fact until actually discussing the matter with Keith Lawrence yourself now will you.
Anyway – it was a bit of nothing in the end anyway. In true SA spirit, we cheerfully put it behind us and picked up another Webb Ellis trophy just to rub it in a little for the kiwis who are what – 24 years and counting now is it? My word, that’s a long time.
12 May 2011, 15:59 pm
@Nils(Nils)-263: Vivre le france… vivre le revolution… comprenez?
12 May 2011, 16:00 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-246: We have scored 13 goals in 3 games, we have put 3 past Man Utd, 3 past Man City, drew with Arsenal, did a double over Chelsea, The REDS are marching again!!!!
12 May 2011, 16:01 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-260:
The latter are to busy resurrecting upyora who was litterally mowed down it seems in mid-sentence as I was still trying to wipe the sleep from my eyes Tuesday morning after a heavey rare but very rare Philly Steak the night before.
Or they are trying to persuade the Stormers to come back home to Nuweland as they wanr\t to disburse more grand Stand tickets for DA votes this election.
Only in DAdaland!
12 May 2011, 16:01 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-261: But honestly, I would not care too much, if France indeed win the pool. That is unlikely, however France are classy team and capable of surprises. Glad we have the opportunity to take care of them early.
12 May 2011, 16:02 pm
@ET.(ET.)-262: Hehehe… So Transie is the Chief of the Keostan by “ghostal” vote… makes sense… Its mega
12 May 2011, 16:03 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-265: Je comprendre.
Nevertheless, it’s Vive and La.
12 May 2011, 16:03 pm
@gunther(gunther)-215:
I don’t judge the combination by amount of linebreaks, I look at whether or not the gain line has been crossed efficiently to set up quick ruck ball.
Massive difference.
12 May 2011, 16:04 pm
@XhosaKid(XhosaKid)-266:
You are truly correct and ALL due to that REAO King of the KOP King Kenny!
I say watch out for them next season if they start well.
12 May 2011, 16:04 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-212: Yes, in theory at least.
That is the combination I would have trusted and developed.
12 May 2011, 16:05 pm
@ET.(ET.)-272:
Should read REAL King……
12 May 2011, 16:05 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-265: Anyway, enjoy the evening and weekend rugga. I’m off.
12 May 2011, 16:05 pm
@ET.(ET.)-267: Careful… echoes…Fkadillyfkfkcntfkfkcreepfkfkgoon….
Yup, Newlands…GodZille’s patronage… Gwantie is her toyboy… I am absolutely certain of that…
12 May 2011, 16:07 pm
@Nils(Nils)-268: Take care of them early…? Whooa
@Nils(Nils)-270: Oui… Non.
@Nils(Nils)-275: Cheers
12 May 2011, 16:08 pm
I’m actually not sure which is more sad. Being stupid enough to send an email conspiring to “teach the japies a lesson” or being the only country in world rugby to win the World Cup when one of the worlds best teams wasn’t allowed to play.
Which makes 87 a bit meaningless really. One could just about say that New Zealand have never really won a world cup. It’s like having wimbledon, but not allowing Federer to play…. you can never really claim to be a true winner unless you’ve been in a competition involving all the best teams.
12 May 2011, 16:09 pm
@XhosaKid(XhosaKid)-266: watch when flanagan, spearing, robertson, shelvey, kelly crack when there’s actual pressure to stay in top spot, it’s easy to pla freely when you ain’t chasing nothing, oh my bad you’re chasing Thursday night football (Europa baby) hehehe
12 May 2011, 16:09 pm
@Nils(Nils)-270:
and it’s Je Comprends
not comprendre
12 May 2011, 16:10 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-269:
Truly mega, beyond the grave stuff. We bow down to the Trans so that he does not dispatch to us across the vast ponds the tokoloshes.
I have no bricks here for my bed.
12 May 2011, 16:10 pm
@Vetkoek(Vetkoek)-278: Now you dunnit… You woke up Poppa… Why?
12 May 2011, 16:12 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-277: Meeting them in the pool means no worrying about them till final. I have not forgot other serious threats like Australia, South Africa, England or Ireland, of course.
As for linguistic dispute, I do not know, maybe your version was used sometime soewhere, however I have not heard LE France ever. Until today.
12 May 2011, 16:12 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-282:
Ag- sometimes I get a little bored. So I like to toy with his and Black Panthers fragile ego’s.
Just enough to keep them hanging on in a quiet desperation to be right.
Then I leave them alone for a while. I wouldn’t want to push them over the edge.
12 May 2011, 16:13 pm
@ET.(ET.)-281: Going to go get bricks now… 5 deep minimum…
12 May 2011, 16:13 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-276:
Shhhhh! Do not say it too loudly or the old feathers may just fly as the ANC starts to claim a win again down Cape Town way.
have to go had enough laughs for a week-end already even as more are on thhe way.
12 May 2011, 16:13 pm
@Vetkoek(Vetkoek)-280: Thank you, my bad.
My French knowledge is basic, so I gladly accept any corrections.
12 May 2011, 16:15 pm
@Nils(Nils)-287:
pas problem. My wife is French, so I know what it’s like to be corrected
12 May 2011, 16:16 pm
@Nils(Nils)-287:
and you are indeed correct. It’s LA France.
12 May 2011, 16:17 pm
@Nils(Nils)-223:
exactly, disregard the (2) fwd passes
and disregard the bs-YC given to McAlister too.
but
I wonder what Safas would say if the Boks went 40mins without ONE single penalty in a RWC knockout match and lost by 2 points.
hilarious
wheres the email ?!
12 May 2011, 16:17 pm
@Vetkoek(Vetkoek)-288: Lucky you. That means one language more completely for free.
I thought quite a lot Saffas maybe know French, since many of them have French surnames.
12 May 2011, 16:17 pm
@Nils(Nils)-283: Non? reposer… aucune tension… Vivre…
12 May 2011, 16:18 pm
@Vetkoek(Vetkoek)-284:
dont flatter yourself
unless noone else will
12 May 2011, 16:19 pm
@Vetkoek(Vetkoek)-284: Fark… Now you woke up Panty too…
12 May 2011, 16:20 pm
@ET.(ET.)-286: Cheers… am outtahere too… Vivre le Revolution…
12 May 2011, 16:22 pm
@Vetkoek(Vetkoek)-264:
so
what youre saying
is you havent seen it
either ?
youre in good company
noone has
12 May 2011, 16:22 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-293:
come now- let’s leave the silly attempts at humour to the grown-ups.
Stick to the topic, which is your ridiculous refusal to accept reality. You’re wrong about the email.
12 May 2011, 16:24 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-296:
Shame- so your top boys go around apologising for emails that never got sent?
Yup- that puts you guys in an even better light.
12 May 2011, 16:24 pm
@Vetkoek(Vetkoek)-278:
the last time Boks met ABs in a RWC
it was home to JoBurg
early
nighty night
12 May 2011, 16:25 pm
THIS IS SPAAARTA!!!!
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