Lambie key to Sharks’ late surge
15 May 2012
JON CARDINELLI says the Sharks’ progress in the 2012 tournament will be determined by a pragmatic mindset and the exploits of their multi-talented flyhalf Pat Lambie.
The Sharks are currently at sixth in the Super Rugby standings. It’s a massive turnaround considering their erratic start to the competition, but they will need to build on that momentum if they intend to succeed where they failed in 2011.
Following wins against the Highlanders and Force, and with the Hurricanes recently upsetting the Highlanders in Dunedin, the Sharks are still in a position where their destiny is in their own hands.
Matches against the Cheetahs (away) and a depleted Stormers side (home) remain before a bye and the break for the June internationals. There’s a good chance they will go into that lengthy sojourn having accumulated a valuable haul of log points.
The improvement of the Sharks has been more gradual than most may suspect. The stats reflect that they are still guilty of too many handling errors and continue to slip tackles on defence. What’s helped them in terms of succeeding on the scoreboard is that they are striving to play in the right area of the field.
It’s because of this shift in game plan that their mistakes have not been as costly.
It may seem foolish to criticise their most recent performance, a showing that yielded seven tries and five log points. But coach John Plumtree has got it right in saying they shouldn’t get too excited.
The Force are going nowhere in this tournament, and while a bonus-point win is valuable in a broader context, this Sharks side will be judged by their performances against the top teams. According to ruckingoodstats.com, the Force missed 22 tackles last Saturday, hardly a defensive performance of a play-off contender.
The Cheetahs may not be in the top echelon but have been competitive for large parts of the campaign. Nevertheless, the Sharks will feel that if they continue to improve, that is if they continue to implement a more territorial-based approach and cut down the unforced errors, they will pick up the win in Bloemfontein.
Their success will be determined in part by the performance of their key player. Lambie made a name for himself in 2010 via a virtuoso showing in the Currie Cup decider, but hasn’t enjoyed sustained success at Super Rugby level since.
Injuries have hampered his growth over the past two seasons, but the good news coming out of Durban is that Lambie’s most recent head knock won’t preclude him from Saturday’s contest.
Lambie has started to show signs of progress in recent matches. He’s been more confident on attack, and while his tactical kicking hasn’t always been accurate, he is starting to grow as an astute game manager. Perhaps most significantly, his goal-kicking has been excellent. Lambie kicked 23 points in the win against the Highlanders, converting every opportunity in front of goal.
The win against the Highlanders is one of the Sharks’ two victories against teams currently in the top six. They beat the Brumbies in Canberra, but it was their performance against the Highlanders in Durban that was more convincing. It suggested they may well turn their season around.
The top teams in Super Rugby are the best defensive teams, and the Sharks have work to do in this department if they intend to remain in play-off contention. What should help their cause is that they have another key ingredient, that is an accurate goal-kicker, that should help them edge some potentially tight games.
The Chiefs have Aaron Cruden, Morné Steyn has started to find form with the Bulls, and the Brumbies until recently relied heavily on the accuracy of Christian Lealiifano. Peter Grant’s boot has already won a couple of games for the Stormers and Tom Taylor has been important for a Crusaders side that is at present without Dan Carter as a goal-kicking option.
Lambie will have a key role to play in Bloemfontein this week and against the Stormers next Saturday. His performance in general play will be influential as the Sharks look to win the territorial battle, but in a close encounter, his goal-kicking boot is likely to be the most decisive.
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76 Comments
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15 May 2012, 09:43 am
I always like the flyhalf debate…but in my opinion there is nothing to debate on who should be starting at 10 for the Boks. It must be Lambie.
Morne Steyn can only wish to be as good, and talented as Lambie. I said it yesterday and i will say it again, Meyer will be stupid not to Start with Lambie.
We all know Morne may have the more reliable boot on him, but offers nothing on attack, ball distribution and defence. Where Lambie succeeds in all these areas and boasts a beter goal kicking strike rate at this stage of the tournament than Morne. Lambie has a 81% strike rate @ 56 attempts. And Morne with a few more kicks @ 76 with 77% strike rate. Pretty close and it shows Lambie is reliable enough to be the Boks goal kicker.
(Because for some the only reason they feel Morne must start is because of his superior goal kicking. Not to be)
There probably are a few fans that would suggest he is still to young and inexperienced, i beg to differ, he is a special player and is ready to step up and make the No. 10 jersey his own. Lambie will become one of the Springboks greatest No. 10?s, putting him in the same bracket as a Henry Honiball.
Morne can still add value from the bench. While guys guys like Goosen and Jantjies are being groomed in the Currie Cup and Super Rugby for the future.
15 May 2012, 09:55 am
51
Morne steyn is the incumbent and in current form is not going anywhere soon. Goosen has already shown that he,ll be 10 backup. Lambie is 15. He will not remove those 2 unless for imjuries.
15 May 2012, 09:57 am
Master (de) bater…
15 May 2012, 09:58 am
Lambie is playing just fine… We want him at FH… And we will keep him there…
15 May 2012, 09:58 am
@John Galt(John Galt)-37:
Good news if that is the case. Even as a Stormer supporter I want Lambie on the field and Sharks beating the Cheetahs. We need three SA teams in the Super playoffs. Will make the odds of an SA team winning thing that much greater.
And an SA team has to win this thing, I would prefer Stormers, but if not Stormers then any other SA team.
15 May 2012, 10:04 am
I’m a huuuuge Lambie fan, and would love to see him as the Bok number 10, but I have to ask, with the Bulls scoring tries left, right and centre, how come people still see Morne as a bottleneck busy stifling running play?
15 May 2012, 10:17 am
@RL(RL)-7:Jealousy makes you ugly! Don’t worry you can still watch Jantjies, except he will probably be wearing a King’s jersey!
15 May 2012, 10:18 am
@Craven(Craven)-56:
people see what they want to see.
nevermind the bulls being top of the super rugby log.
15 May 2012, 11:06 am
@Craven(Craven)-56:
well,touche……
15 May 2012, 11:37 am
Bok 10 must be Steyn…
my guess is tha Heyneke will go for the following:
10 M Steyn
11 Habana
12 F Steyn
13 De Villiers
14 JP Pietersen
15 Lambie
15 May 2012, 11:42 am
WP thats probably spot on…
15 May 2012, 12:06 pm
I don’t have any problem with that backline.
15 May 2012, 12:09 pm
Right now I would be happy with alternating between Lambie and Morne as I think he still has plenty to offer.
15 May 2012, 12:25 pm
@WP_(WP_)-60: You have it spot on there… I think Lambie is the best choice at 10, but considering the options you have picked the backline that HM will put out.
15 May 2012, 13:25 pm
There is a lot of focus on the Sharks’ defense, yet they are in the top 5 defensive teams in the competition. Their attacking record is also in the top 5. Their tries scored vs conceded record is joint 6th best with the Stormers.
15 May 2012, 14:11 pm
I’ve said it before and I will say it again.
The Sharks can win the tournament.
15 May 2012, 15:09 pm
Bulls , Sharks and Stormers title chances will be much less if any of their Flyhalves get injured!!!
15 May 2012, 16:24 pm
@houston, we have a problem…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-32: What are you on about? Surely you have not watched all the Sharks games to say Lambie has not started all our games at fh? Lambie is Sharks first choice fh. He started all our games at fh except when he took knock into the side of his face and had to have surgery to remove a wisdom tooth. He missed 2 games there. Other than that he has started at fh.
Lambie is a outstanding player so not sure why you keep knocking him all of the time. Your dislike for this great player is apparent.
15 May 2012, 16:26 pm
So its all Lambie? Has nothing to do with the Beast coming back? Has no-one noticed how much of a difference the Shark pack plays with the Beast on the park? Scrum have improved exponentially meaning that McLeod and Lambie are getting front foot ball. That makes all the difference. Bismarck is playing with more confidence and doing well at disrupting quick ball for the opposition. Add to that Plum has finally realised the value added by Jacques Botes. The Sharks on Sat showed how to negate Pocock at the breakdown. A valuable blueprint for Meyer come Tri-nations time.
15 May 2012, 16:27 pm
@willievz(willievz)-66: Wise words Willie…hehe.
You are right bud, we could if we don’t lose anymore players to injury and play as a team. We could. Need Lambie to start this weekend though. So keeping fingers crossed as never sure when Fred plays if he will have a good game or not.
15 May 2012, 16:44 pm
say what you like, Lambie has great hair and hos TV ad is much better than the beast’s. ergo the surge is all about him.
15 May 2012, 18:20 pm
@Sydney Shark(JayDaFiveOh)-69: 100% Truth
15 May 2012, 19:04 pm
@houston, we have a problem…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-32: uhm?? you on Tik?? only games Lambie did not start was when he was injured, I am sure Morne will not take the Kicks when is not playing either?? Right?????????
I have no problem with the Boks starting with Steyn at 10 and Lambie at 15, but please dont argue with stupidity when trying to have your player in,It really looks kinda silly
Trust me if Morne had half the defense young Lambie has?? he might also find himself injured now and then
15 May 2012, 21:05 pm
With all respect to the talented Mr Lambie, but the Sharks will leave Bloemfontein with a maximum of 2 log points. Mark and highlight my words.
15 May 2012, 21:15 pm
As a Sharks fan, I have to say I would still go with Morne. Lambie will be in the mix for many years to come, but right now I would also go with Morne Steyn.
15 May 2012, 21:16 pm
@scar(scar)-74:
Quite possible. If there is one team who knows how to spoil the Sharks party, its the Cheetahs. And no team can go to Bloem expecting a free ride. Will be a tough game for the Sharks – no doubt.
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