True test looms for Lambie
16 Oct 2012
JON CARDINELLI writes that Pat Lambie may have to steer the Sharks to Currie Cup glory if he’s going to convince Heyneke Meyer of his value as a match-winning flyhalf.
Did Lambie’s performance against Griquas mean anything? Of course it did. It was massive in the context of the Sharks’ season, as it helped the Durbanites bank a potential home final.
It was important in that it allowed Lambie a rare start, and even more significantly a rare start in his best position of flyhalf. But was it meaningful in the context of Lambie’s bid for the Bok flyhalf jersey? I don’t think so.
Lambie enjoyed a great return to the starting line-up last Friday. He was accurate in front of goal, he gave the Sharks direction both as a distributor and tactical kicker. He was solid on defence and innovative on attack. It was a complete performance, and it would have given him plenty of confidence.
But the pressure will mount this week ahead of a semi-final showdown against the Bulls. For all the bluster about Griquas being giant killers, they are never a threat at the back end of the season. They struggle because of injuries and battle to compete against the big five teams who are boosted by the returning Boks.
Griquas are never going to win the Currie Cup with their current game plan. There is too much emphasis on attack, and not enough on defence. This weakness was exploited all too easily by the Sharks last Friday. And yet, John Plumtree’s men would do well to remember that the defence of the better teams in the play-offs will be tougher to breach.
There will be more pressure on Lambie this Saturday. There will be more pressure from a defensive point of view. There will be more pressure on him to win the territorial battle, and there will also be more pressure on him to maintain his excellent goal-kicking form.
It has to be viewed as a great opportunity. If Lambie can excel under such pressure and steer the Sharks to victory, it would serve as a big statement. If he can go one step further and guide the Sharks to another Currie Cup title, well then it would be difficult for Heyneke Meyer to deny that he is the best flyhalf candidate for that November tour to Europe.
We have been in this situation before. Lambie helped the Sharks win the 2010 Currie Cup final, and one of the most enduring moments of that match was of the young flyhalf handing off WP captain Schalk Burger en route to the tryline. Unfortunately, he was used only as a substitute on the subsequent Bok tour. He did well when he started for the Boks at 10 against the All Blacks in 2011, but wasn’t used there again.
Meyer is still undecided about Lambie, and it isn’t hard to understand why. While it’s clear the kid has all the skills, he hasn’t really settled into one position.
Injury has also played a part in this unfortunate situation if you remember that Lambie was crocked in the 2012 Super Rugby competition just when he was starting to fire as a flyhalf. When he returned to fitness, the Sharks had settled on Freddie Michalak as their pivot and so Lambie filled in at fullback for the remainder of the season.
If the Sharks win this weekend and progress to the final, it will mean that Lambie will have three Currie Cup games in total to show Meyer what he can offer as a flyhalf. As I mentioned earlier, the fixture against Griquas was important for other reasons. The two play-off games will be massive in terms of pressure, with each of the four teams leaning on their Boks. If Lambie thrives in that environment, then it will say much for his mental aptitude as well as his physical ability.
Meyer will, of course, be watching the progress of other potential flyhalves closely.
Morné Steyn was better against the Lions last Saturday, but will also need to show that he can perform in the matches that matter. Just as a title win for the Sharks will underline Lambie’s value, another domestic trophy for the Bulls will show that Steyn is not a spent force as a match-winner.
With Johan Goosen ruled out with injury, Elton Jantjies played much of that Test against the All Blacks at Soccer City. The Lions lost to the Bulls last week, but they will be hoping that the reinstatement of Jantjies at 10 gets them back to winning ways. Again, it’s a high pressure environment that could reveal whether Jantjies is in the right headspace to spearhead the Boks’ coming overseas campaign.
I still believe that in the absence of Goosen, Lambie is the only flyhalf in South Africa who has the necessary all-round skills needed to bring the Boks success in a more balanced game plan. But Lambie has to use this semi-final opportunity, and possibly an opportunity in the final as well, to make a believer out of Meyer.
Follow JC on Twitter
Follow SA Rugby magazine on Twitter
482 Comments
Pages: « 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 [8] 9 10 » Show All
16 Oct 2012, 14:49 pm
@Puma-334:
@sharks_lover-342:
We had good practise in the rain over the last month
Seriously though, rain is always a leveller and it could go both ways.
16 Oct 2012, 14:50 pm
@Transformation-338:
Where’s that little black dude who sounds like he still a prefect at bishops?
16 Oct 2012, 14:50 pm
http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Bryce-Lawrence-retires-20121016
16 Oct 2012, 14:50 pm
@sharks_lover-347: Correct we must just go with our own style of play.
Then remember he also changed the team for Stormers on the last minute before the game for that semi in SS. Playing Viljoen at the back and Ludik on the wing. At the time I thought he had lost it and we could lose, but it was a brilliant move. Though I don’t trust Viljoen’s handling in the wet weather normally.
16 Oct 2012, 14:51 pm
@Puma-349: I really hope Odwa has recovered from his ankle injury? he is solid under the high ball, Mvovo not so, thats Mvovo’s one weakness so they wont kick down JPP’s throat thats for sure, but they will aim at Mvovo. So hopefully if Odwa is fine Mvov can come off the bench, Odwa has been in brilliant form of late
16 Oct 2012, 14:52 pm
@Mr Black-351: For sure, weather has been terrible for our games. Though for this game the weather is forecast more like we had for the Province game at the Tank. In those conditions it could go either way. We will miss Bissie and Fransie for sure in these conditions.
16 Oct 2012, 14:54 pm
@sharks_lover-348:
I had a great bunny after the 2010 final opposite hooters in Umhlanga. Not sure what the name of the place is, but best i had for sure.
Was a great day
16 Oct 2012, 14:55 pm
@sharks_lover-355: I said a similar thing here yesterday. If Odwa is out that is a big loss for us. He is solid and hardly ever has a bad game, actually have not seen him have a bad game in a very, very long time. Brilliant under the high ball. Both twins are, actually both for me are our best under the high ball with Basson. Ludik not bad either. Zane good under the high ball as well. But for us we do need Odwa for this game, than Mvovo. Mvovo suits a dry weather conditions.
16 Oct 2012, 14:55 pm
@WP-Forever-353:
the sad news is that the bent little ****** will be selecting and reviewing kiwi refs coming throught the system.
we can look forward to more of the same.
16 Oct 2012, 14:55 pm
@Mr Black-357:
Trust me, the mutton bunny chow served at Capsicum Restaurant at the Britannia Hotel on Umgeni Road is the best in South Africa.
16 Oct 2012, 14:58 pm
@gunther-343: Then keo needs to step up his advertising sales efforts round here. Specialist tools, protein shakes and commemorative coins clearly aren’t the money spinners he was hoping they’d be.
16 Oct 2012, 14:59 pm
@Mr Black-345:
I predict a guppy wp final – and FYI it is Relegated Lion you moron.
16 Oct 2012, 15:00 pm
@Mr Black-357:
sure it was mate,
You going to the game??
16 Oct 2012, 15:01 pm
@WP-Forever-360: yup, old crappy hotel,
but their curries etc rock
16 Oct 2012, 15:03 pm
@katman-361:
speaking of specialist tools Poep has been very scarce.
I’m worried.
16 Oct 2012, 15:04 pm
@sharks_lover-364:
I am told they rent their rooms upstairs by the hour…
16 Oct 2012, 15:04 pm
@WP-Forever-353: even Richie McAwSome took a nasty swipe at Brycie.
16 Oct 2012, 15:04 pm
@katman-301:
Pro-blogging? I’m too old to compete with the genuine nutters stinking up this place.
16 Oct 2012, 15:04 pm
@gunther-352: which one is that?
16 Oct 2012, 15:06 pm
@sharks_lover-363:
Nope, waiting for the final. I’m not staying in Durbs, so traveling comes into play.
16 Oct 2012, 15:08 pm
@Mr Black-370: Ah ok.
@WP-Forever-366:
would’nt know mate, i am only interested in the bunny chows downstairs
16 Oct 2012, 15:10 pm
@Transformation-369:
the little one.
he’s superb.
I can see him giving McCheat his marching orders in the near fututre.
Glorious.
@WP-Forever-366:
who told you?
your date?
16 Oct 2012, 15:10 pm
@RL-362:
Relegated / Loser, same thing
16 Oct 2012, 15:11 pm
@gunther-372:
16 Oct 2012, 15:13 pm
Gunther you cheeky sod, financiers aren’t seen as Nostradamus-esque anymore, no one trusts our view point. However, I was right on the Julius led white genocide matter though…………
16 Oct 2012, 15:15 pm
@sharks_lover-371:
I’m coming to Cape Town early January, will come have some food at your fine establishment then.
16 Oct 2012, 15:16 pm
@mpundulu-375:
Pundie…so you really are doing the catering for Zoomer’s re-elective conference?
what white genocide?
what are you planning?
tell me more.
16 Oct 2012, 15:17 pm
@WP-Forever-353: Classic pic of Bryce alongside the article. Looking very vulnerable and human there.
16 Oct 2012, 15:18 pm
@sharks_lover-371: Who you think Plum will go with at 7 and 6 and lock?
Not sure if he will go with Alberts or Jandre at lock and think he should stay with Deysel at 7 he has been really good there with Marcel at openside, though Marcel is better at blindside.
Burden or Kyle, who would you start with? Also if it is wet will he start Viljoen at the fb and have Ludik on the wing with JPP on the other wing. We had JPP at outside centre against Stormers in the semi with Mvovo and Ludik on the wing with Viljoen at fb.
16 Oct 2012, 15:20 pm
@Mr Black-376: Must give you my email addy some time then
16 Oct 2012, 15:20 pm
@katman-378:
he looks like a former yoof league leader who’s just opened a registered letter from SARS.
16 Oct 2012, 15:23 pm
@Puma-379: @Puma-379: Boet it’s a hard call, and i know some may want to slaughter me for saying so, but if it is raining i would want us to have a bigger pack and control the scrums and rolling mauls.
I mean i would consider Daniel off the bench and maybe haad a loose trio of Alberts, Marcel and Deysel,?? Not sure boet thats why i am glad Plum is the coach and not me
16 Oct 2012, 15:27 pm
@sharks_lover-382: Yip that would be a hard call to leave Keegan on the bench. He was very good against Province in terrible wet conditions a few weeks back.
I remember when we were going to play Bulls at the tank in our last game against them in SS. Plum chose Kanko at 8 and then thought jeez, that is a mistake, we need a heaver loose trio against the Bulls. Thought at the time to play Alberts 8 Deysel 7 with Marcel at 6. Just damn pleased we went with Kanko Marcel Keegan. We smashed them solid with our very fast lighter loosies….
Kanko was brilliant in that game. Especially in the lineouts. So ja, a very hard call here. Though this time it will be in the rain and no Bissie either or Fransie.
16 Oct 2012, 15:28 pm
@sharks_lover-382: Kyle or Burden? Who would you start with?
16 Oct 2012, 15:30 pm
@Puma-383:
i know bro thats why i say it’s so difficult, look I know i am wrong to even think it, and i also know the Bulls will play the territory game, and that means lineouts and rolling mauls. lol
16 Oct 2012, 15:30 pm
@sharks_lover-382: Another quick question. Would you start Viljoen at the back and move Ludik to the wing if Odwa is out injured? Especially in the rain? I feel sometimes and especially in the rain Vijoen has too much handling errors. Though if we do start with Vijoen, Ludik and JPP we have 3 players very good under the high ball, that we know for sure we will have plenty coming our way.
16 Oct 2012, 15:34 pm
@Puma-384: lemme show the team i think should start
16 Oct 2012, 15:34 pm
@sharks_lover-385: Anyhow we have a full team to choice from, only Odwa will probably be out, but then it means shifting players about, as I feel Plum may start Ludik on the wing with Viljoen at the back. Mvovo on the bench. Think he may do that with Odwa out injured.
16 Oct 2012, 15:34 pm
Fantastic game this will be, could go both ways but Sharks will just have the edge!
16 Oct 2012, 15:37 pm
@JAWESOME-389: Think it will be a tight game. Pity about the rain forecast. Would loved to have Sharks playing their off-loading game against this Bulls side.
16 Oct 2012, 15:40 pm
@sharks_lover-387: Put your team up here. Will look in later.
Catch up later. Cheers bro.
16 Oct 2012, 15:40 pm
@Puma-383: Comparing the WP pack that played that game, to the Bulls pack you will be up against on Saturday is a little dicey
Holmes, Sinclair, Scarra, Armand, Deon F, Steenkamp etc compared to: Potgieter, Potgieter, Arno B, Flip, Juandre and co – no contest.
If it’s going to be p # ssing down with rain, the Bulls will be happy to take lineout ball and maul all day….. all day…..all day (and then some).
You would want your most imposing pack – at the very least I reckon. You don’t have Kanko to demolish the Bulls lineout…..and you don’t have Bissie to add his brand of pain.
Keegan on the bench is the safest for you lot IMHO. (No disrespect intended – just makes sense if the weather is going to be sh y te)
16 Oct 2012, 15:41 pm
Here is my team:
15 Ludick
14 JPP
13 Jordaan
12 Whitehead
11 Odwa/Mvovo
10 Lambie
09 Reinach
08 Daniel
07 Deysel
06 Coetzee
05 Bresler
04 Jandre
03 Jannie
02 Burden
01 Beast
16 Cooper
17 Herbst
18 Alberts
19 PSDT
20 Mcleod
21 Bosman
22 Mvovo/Odwa/Viljoen
Unless PLum goes for a 5-2 split as is normally the case against the Bulls.
Bench would then be Cooper, Herbst, Sykes ( I hear he might be ready after injury), Alberts, PSDT, Mcleod, Bosman
I know i have Odwa at 11 but thats purely because he would play in place of Mvovo, obviously if Odwa does play he and JPP would swop around.
16 Oct 2012, 15:43 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-392: Yip I know. However we will have: Jannie, Beast, Burden, Alberts, Marcell, JPP and Lambie back that never played for Sharks that day…
16 Oct 2012, 15:44 pm
@Puma-388: You want to risk Viljoen as your last line of defence against the Bulls? Ludik is safe as houses at the back – hell, especially against the aerial bombardment that is coming your way.
Viljoen – in the rain – back at 15 – against the Bulls.
Not sure that’s a decent option at all.
16 Oct 2012, 15:45 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-392:
WHAT’S red and bad for your teeth?
A brick
16 Oct 2012, 15:45 pm
@katman-333:
Dear Keo
I could scarcely write worse than your incumbent employees and would work for a pittance for the opportunity to move back to Cape Town.
I know very little about rugby, but who the f*ck does?
I also have mad web development skillz.
Yours desperately/indifferently,
The Rev Jim Jones
16 Oct 2012, 15:45 pm
@Puma-386: I am not sure i want Viljoen near the team, If Odwa is out rather just play Mvovo, he is good enough to handle what comes his way.
16 Oct 2012, 15:45 pm
@gunther-365: He stormed off to his room in a huff after some of his fellow kiwis told him to shutthefuckup yesterday. Been sulking up a storm, he might even have thrown his GI Richie doll against the wall
16 Oct 2012, 15:47 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-392: See on this one i tend to agree with you, I mean outmuscling the Bulls, and i have a feeling they will play 2 props off the bench too.
Pages: « 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 [8] 9 10 » Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.