Pat must play, Morné must rest
22 Oct 2012
JON CARDINELLI writes the Currie Cup semi-finals showed why Pat Lambie is ready for the Springbok flyhalf responsibility, and why the other contenders are not.
Lambie went into the 2012 Test season with plenty to prove. New Bok coach Heyneke Meyer wasn’t convinced that he had what it took to hold down a starting position. The biggest concern was Lambie’s tactical kicking accuracy and game management. Meyer felt that Bulls fullback Zane Kirchner held the edge in this department.
It was also around this time that Meyer made it clear that Morné Steyn was his preferred flyhalf. According to the Bok coach, the team would need Steyn’s composure, as well his goal- and tactical-kicking precision if they hoped to win Tests consistently.
Over the course of the season, however, Steyn has failed to display the strengths that helped the Boks win the series against the British & Irish Lions as well as the Tri-Nations in 2009. Ironically, it’s been his lack of accuracy that has cost the team matches in 2012.
Following the disappointing draw to England in Port Elizabeth, Meyer admitted that Steyn would need to find form in the subsequent Super Rugby games if the Boks were to improve. They turned out to be prophetic words, as Steyn continued to struggle over the next few months, and this had a negative impact on both the Bulls and the Boks.
When Steyn was eventually axed, Meyer explained that the flyhalf had played virtually non-stop for three years, and so he required a mental break. But only a few weeks later, Steyn was asked to lift the Bulls out of the Currie Cup relegation zone and into the play-offs.
It was a task that Steyn responded to at first. He proved instrumental in the Bulls’ crucial win over the Lions, a result that propelled the Pretorians into a semi-final against the Sharks. However, it was in this latter game where his shortcomings, both physical and mental, were again exposed.
There are many who feel that Steyn will add value on the Boks’ end-of-year tour to Europe. I have to disagree.
It’s a difficult tour where conditions prescribe a tighter and more tactical approach. Steyn’s supporters will say that he fits the bill, but my argument is that Steyn is suited to this role only in theory.
If you look at where Steyn is mentally, and how he has consistently struggled to regain his once prolific kicking accuracy, how can you even consider taking him to Europe and asking him to win three Tests in a row?
Steyn was not solely to blame for Saturday’s loss to the Sharks, but it was because of his poor kicking and game management that the Bulls battled to get out of their own half.
He’s never been known as a dirty or ill-disciplined player, and yet, he finished this game with a swinging arm that connected the face of Sharks fullback Louis Ludik.
The Bulls were about to lose, to exit the Currie Cup, and Steyn reacted badly. It’s not too much of a stretch to judge this action as a response to his seemingly endless struggles of 2012. It’s very clear that he needs a mental break from rugby.
Lambie made a massive statement with his excellent goal-kicking performance at Kings Park, as well as a fine display of game management that played a big role in the Sharks’ overwhelming territorial advantage.
Looking at the performances of both flyhalves in Durban, you’d have to say that things couldn’t have gone better for Lambie in a Bok context. Lambie rose above the pressure, while Steyn succumbed to it. On the basis of that game, it’s clear which player you’d back to win the Boks’ Tests in Europe.
The flyhalf position has been a talking point ever since Johan Goosen went down with a season-ending injury at Soccer City. Goosen is the future at No 10, but it is Lambie who can provide the Boks with another strong option. And in the modern game where the schedule is relentless and serious injuries are a reality, you need two strong options.
The other semi-final in Johannesburg also highlighted why Lambie is the best available choice. Elton Jantjies may have already played for the Boks this season, but I’m not convinced that he has the temperament, nor the skill set at this stage of his career, to handle the ultimate responsibility.
Jantjies missed three early kicks at goal, and these misses were massive in the context of a rain-affected game. Indeed, if you compare Jantjies’ misses in Johannesburg with Lambie’s early penalties in Durban, you could say that Jantjies blew a similar chance to establish early momentum, to build a commanding lead and set up a convincing win.
The sight of Jantjies being flattened by the diminutive Gio Aplon will not inspire confidence. His lack of physicality has long been considered a shortcoming, as has his defence which was exposed in that Test against the All Blacks at Soccer City.
He’s a confidence player, and only takes the ball to the gain line when he receives it on the front foot. When his forwards aren’t enjoying that sort of momentum, he slides back into the pocket.
The obvious response to this statement is: which flyhalf doesn’t?
Of all the players who have played flyhalf in recent seasons, Lambie has stood out as a player who continues to take the initiative despite the failure of his forwards. The game I’m referring to is the 2011 Test against the All Blacks in New Zealand where he played one of his better games in a Bok jersey. He responds well to that sort of pressure.
Goosen is injured. Jantjies’s is a talent that has yet to be fully developed and refined. Steyn has lost confidence and form and can’t be expected to win games for South Africa in his current guise.
And then we have Lambie, who has led the Sharks to back-to-back wins with superb all-round displays. Lambie, who in all likelihood will lead the Sharks to another Currie Cup title in Durban this Saturday. Lambie, a match-winner.
Really, it’s not a difficult call to make.
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463 Comments
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22 Oct 2012, 07:55 am
The choir dragons to sing his praises shortly…
BOOM
22 Oct 2012, 07:55 am
singing from the hymbook early in the morning hey…
and no… you’re not a dragon…
22 Oct 2012, 07:57 am
Morne needs a break from rugby? Sure does. A permanent one.
22 Oct 2012, 07:58 am
@Gumboots-1:
snap
22 Oct 2012, 08:07 am
Meyer, “O so that’s the Lambie kid everyones been talking about”
22 Oct 2012, 08:14 am
Not going to sing any1 praise until they proove themself on international stage, surely though Pat has asked for a start on the Tour though and given his last two game he did well.
22 Oct 2012, 08:14 am
Steyn REALLY needs to be rested. Pat and Elton to take the Boks forward!
22 Oct 2012, 08:21 am
I’m calling BS on alot of the tripe being written here.
1 game does not a judgement make and that is what we always do as Saffa’s, MS has been poor all season and this is why he should not be taken. Let us not demonize players FFS.
the same goes for how Jon has tried to breakdown Jantjies in his efforts to lift up Lambie. i rate both of them and Brendan Venter has already stated how Jantjies is a superior defender, so what is Jon on about in reference to ” His lack of physicality has long been considered a shortcoming, as has his defence”
Jon, Brendan and I both disagree with you there!
22 Oct 2012, 08:24 am
Pat the “Fullback” according to many “kenners” here and elsewhere who have memories like sieves and forget his 2011 season…
Keep proving them wrong Pat…
Will soon be too embarrassing for the Traditional Cabal to keep ignoring you or laughably forgetting about you on the bench as a “better Fullback than Flyhalf”….
22 Oct 2012, 08:27 am
So I assume Steyn wasn’t cited for the cheap shot on Ludik?
Ludik can also no longer be ignored by Heyneke Meyer. Best 15 in SA by a country mile!
22 Oct 2012, 08:28 am
@papaown-8: Jantjies a superior defender than Lambie… Really now?
Pat, who some people also forget, can be a pretty decent player at 12 too…
Actually more than a few similarities between Lambie and Carter…
- Both are 10′s whose coaches at some stage did not believe they had the skillset to be 10′s
- Both are pretty decent 12′s
- Carter could also probably play 15 as well as Pat could if he was actually needed to…
- Both are pretty serious defenders…
22 Oct 2012, 08:29 am
@Heavens Game-9:
Lambie’s talent is wasted at fullback.
22 Oct 2012, 08:29 am
Gio Aplon has smashed many a’player and don’t forget that Elton was balancing on one foot at the time about to kick…
Lambie has been great, by all means give him a run in the 10 jersey but to write off Elton after one average performance is beyond retarded and I hope Meyer realises this…
Regardless, once Elton plays behind the Stormers pack next year he’ll show everyone why he’s so highly rated by some.
22 Oct 2012, 08:30 am
Nice headline JC…did you come up with it all by yourself? If so your powers of deduction move me!
22 Oct 2012, 08:34 am
In Lambie and Jantjes we are covered….Leave M Steyn to get away from the game for a period….
22 Oct 2012, 08:34 am
@Heavens Game-11: You are beyond deluded if you even think Lambie is comparable to Carter. A good player he is but he is no Dan Carter mate or anything close to that.
22 Oct 2012, 08:35 am
13 Bagel. I agree Jantjies should def be in the set up as well. There’s no mention of eltons last kick which really showed his temperament
22 Oct 2012, 08:38 am
@Heavens Game-11: dont believe me, i’m sure some1 will drag up the article by Brendan Venter, where he states he’s an aggressive defender almost to his detriment as a flyhalf as one doesnt want their flyhalf taking as much contact as he does.
22 Oct 2012, 08:40 am
as for this “He’s a confidence player, and only takes the ball to the gain line when he receives it on the front foot. When his forwards aren’t enjoying that sort of momentum, he slides back into the pocket”
it goes back to my previous statement, Saturday was not Jantjies best game but far from his worst! he is one of the few flyhalves we’ve seen prompted to the national spotlight in a team which has the Lions forwards! So he has performed in a pack that does not generally have forward momentum.
He has gotten national spotlight not because of 1 year but because of 3 years of solid performances , just like Lambie, and this is why they should always be ahead of Steyn this year.
22 Oct 2012, 08:41 am
pat lambie should have had the bok jersey since 2010 already
hes been the best 10 in the country since then, it hasnt even been close
22 Oct 2012, 08:41 am
I completely agree. Lambie is definitely the Flyhalf the Boks so desperately need. He has proven it so many times for the Sharks. But Yet the Bok coaches don’t seem to acknowledge his talent. Meyer playing him off the bench, and at 15 when he did come on. I think other countries must laughing at us, thinking how stupid are these South Africans, they have a player at 10 that is only 22 or 23 years old and has the potential to become a world class flyhalf, but yet he is on the bench or plays at 15.
It makes no sense.
I remember when Dan Carter burst on to the scene as a youngster, The All Black management immediately got him involved as understudy to Carlos Spencer, the clever thing that the management did, was in the short term to play him at 12 next to the experienced Spencer. No better way to learn than that. But the long term plan was always for him to become the best No. 10 in world rugby.
So what is the point in playing Lambie off the bench, and at 15. There is no argument that Lambie makes a better 15 than Kirchner anyway. But Lambie needs to settle at No. 10 for the Boks. When the talented Goosen returns, alternate, it seems odd but at 22 years old Lambie has so much more experience than the 19 year old Goosen. And Goosen playing understudy to Lambie can only prove valuable. 2015 is the long term goal. Give these two guys the next 2 and a half years to grow in to their roles as Springbok pivots. What ever the case may be and whom ever starts in 2015 (forbid no serious injuries) Lambie & Goosen must be there. Steyn cannot be part of 2015′s plans.
22 Oct 2012, 08:42 am
i dont even know why i’m stressing myself with Jon..these are the same type of writers who told us Lambie played most of S15 as a fullback and this justifies HM’s reluctance on using him as a flyhalf.
*eyes rolling*
22 Oct 2012, 08:43 am
This is poor writing, sorry to say. Why must you bring one down to promote the other?
Lambie has been great the past 2 weekends hats of to him.
Jantjies has been great the past season, he had an off day with the boot on Saturday but still played well in his general play, put players through spaces etc.
We as SA public be grateful we have this taltent at our disposal, not pick our favorites and then write negatively about the ones we do not like.
This shows immature journalism. No one will take you seriously.
22 Oct 2012, 08:43 am
The Lambie stalkers are doing the young man ZERO favours. Setting him up for a massive fail.
He is a classy player, and a classy young man – but dare I say it: the Guppies adoration and 24/7 litany of praises and somewhat over exaggerated hailing of Lambie’s alleged (but yet to be seen on the international stage) brilliance; is setting the scene for a million sniggers at the 1st Lambie charged down kick, sliced kick, miss at posts etc etc etc on the international stage….
Lambie is doing a find job all on his own, at showing Meyer what he is capable of. No need for you ‘old muttons dressed as Lambies’, to present fake evidence on his behalf.
22 Oct 2012, 08:43 am
@pokkel-12: Especially in the context of how the majority of Bok kenners now view “ideal” FB play – get the ball, 2 step counter attack, mortarbomb the sky… and then chase…
How the fark this dumfuck 15 paradigm has come about especially in light of this country producing legendary 15′s including Jouba and HO, to name just 2, is an indictment of backline coaching in this country… Too many dumfuck coaches who used to be forwards spoiling the talent broth…
22 Oct 2012, 08:44 am
Nothing to see here, move on, nothing to see.
22 Oct 2012, 08:47 am
@k.camron-16: Of course he is no DC… For a start DC was never labelled a “better FB than FH”…
DC also was never left to rot on the bench for an entire international season…
Out of all the SA flyhalves, prospective or incumbent, Lambie probably gives ground in one attribute…
10m on length of punt…
And that is ALL. One attribute only.
22 Oct 2012, 08:49 am
@jacoshark-20: Then Plumtree should have made a STRONG statement to the rest of SA to prove what you are saying, by dropping Michalak straight onto the bench, when Lambie returned to fitness.
It does not matter how you fellows slice it or dice it; by trying to have both players on the field, and selecting Michalak over Lambie at 10 (regardless of alllllllllllllllllllllll the excuses, reasons and justifications we have heard 1000000 times), Plumtree stalled Lambie’s chances of a Bok 10 call up this year – the end.
22 Oct 2012, 08:50 am
@k.camron-16:
he is the closest thing we have to carter in this country
reading of the play- (when to run, when to kick) is far better than any of the other options we have at 10 in this country
plus theres a little thing called BMT which lambie has in spades
oh, and on the defensive side, he missed the least tackles of any 10 in the country
during the S15
haters still gonna hate though
22 Oct 2012, 08:51 am
@papaown-8:
We have yet to see a flyhalf who proves himself @ international level out of this current lot, so how bout we wait & see.
HM has to give them each an equal chance playing behind a 1st team forward pack though…
Besides, any half decent coach would have found a way to incorporate all the talent at his disposal. John Mitchel reckons a combination of Elton/Goosen @ 10, Lambie @ 12 and FSteyn/Aplon/Ludik(my option on current form) @ 15 would serve SA some good. Interesting if you consider how interchangeable they can be on the field at the same time…
Why not play all your best players if you can because surely the chosen ones aren’t delivering.
22 Oct 2012, 08:52 am
@papaown-18: Look, I like Elton… I reckon both he and Lambie are better 10s than Goosen…
And for me there would be nothing better than to see both of them duking it out at 10 for the Boks…
22 Oct 2012, 08:53 am
Brisbane – All Blacks rugby coach Steve Hansen has attacked Australian rugby for “stealing” New Zealand players and says the Bledisloe Cup rival should improve depth by developing its own talent.
Hansen spoke after his team’s 18-18 draw with the Wallabies in Brisbane on Saturday in which New Zealand-born centre Mike Harris kicked five penalties for Australia.
Hansen says he doesn’t begrudge Harris’ decision to sign for Queensland when he was rejected by New Zealand Super 15 franchises or to later play for Australia.
But Hansen says “what I find frustrating is that Australia is trying to build their game and put more franchises in place, but all they are doing is putting franchises in place and stealing our players. They should get their own house in order and develop their own.”
22 Oct 2012, 08:54 am
@jacoshark-29: BMT in bucketloads. I tend to agree with you. But Plumtree obviously didn’t….or else Lambie would have been directing play from 10 in the S15 final.
What better stage to prove something to Meyer? (who at the time was not interested in Lambie’s name being associated with the 10 jersey)
22 Oct 2012, 08:57 am
@papaown-19:
he hasnt shown us much in S15, if im being completely honest
only really plays well in a lions pack who generally do go forward in the currie cup
cause they have no disruptions with the bok setup
you cant compare the currie cup (where jantjies has shone), to S15 or international rugby
22 Oct 2012, 08:57 am
@Heavens Game-31: HIyas HG, hope you got your tickets lol, THe que is very long in Umgeni road
Sharksgirl is in that very long que hehehe
22 Oct 2012, 08:57 am
The spin doctors in full swing.
Steyn has been poor for 2 years, and I’m the first to say that.
But Saturday’s game means buggerall as far as Lambie is concerned, given the dominance his pack of forwards had for the entire game.
If Steyn’s forwards had dominated the boot would have been on the other foot.
And Skinstad’s snide comment after the last minute tackle on Ludik was pathetic. JC using it as an argument in an article even more so.
As much as the Bulls are clearly a badly coached, disorganised unit at the moment, Lawrence’s one sided reffing didn’t do them any favours.
The fact that they got frustrated in the end is really not that difficult to understand.
22 Oct 2012, 08:59 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-24:
exactly.
thats why i’m getting the fark out of dodge, too much gushing fanboys wirting love letters of note.
later….
22 Oct 2012, 09:01 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-33:
its called a team sport for a reason- you play where you are needed
he played 15 for the boks in the world cup, when last year he was clearly the best 10 in the country
playing michalak in the playoffs was smart from plum as you cant buy experience, lambie probably learnt so much in those 3 weeks just watching and playing alongside freddie
i dont remember carter starting at 10 for the ABs when he first got into the team
you cant rush a good thing
22 Oct 2012, 09:02 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-24:
haha you were probably one of those harping on the glassman goosen tune hey?
and look how well that turned out
22 Oct 2012, 09:07 am
This isnt a Lambie vs Jaintjies vs Goosen vs Steyn argument.
Again this article and subsequent posts reflect how badly the Boks need a 10 who can control a game and unleash his backline.
This hype around various 10s at various stages of thier carreers just stands to prove how badly we need a 10 who can play the game the modern way.
22 Oct 2012, 09:09 am
@jacoshark-34: Yet you fellows constantly refer to Lambie’s hand off on Schalk as his ‘crowning moment’ – that was Currie Cup rugby…….
How well has Lambie performed at 10 in Super rugby? Brilliantly, amazingly?
He has now had 2 good Currie Cup games at 10……..let’s see how he goes with the Boks at 10 and take it from there shall we.
Declaring that he IS the best 10 in the country is by no means fact at the moment – and repeating it over and over again will not make it so.
EOYT, let’s see how he goes. I personally think he will be fine – but I do feel one should hold back on the “next Dan Carter” praises……
@Tacitus-36: Laurence had a shocker Taccy. Not that I care much for the Bulls or the Sharks – but his reffing went beyond confusing. I think he was under a little pressure from outside forces, who for some reason have been bleating for years about HOW he blows against the Sharks because he doesn’t like them…..A Sharks blogger on here even said that HE has inside info as to why Mark L hates the Sharks……
One things for sure – all this talk about him hating the Sharks – is utter kak.
Hell, they are still whinging about how Laurence cost them the game in CT in the S15…because Laurence ‘hated them’ – yet no mention of his sh y te reffing on Saturday night
22 Oct 2012, 09:10 am
@jacoshark-38: @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-33: The reason Lambie played at 15 has been explained 100 times , so not sure why it needs to be explained again?
Fact is at the time of Lambies injury, Freddy who had been brought in as cover for 9 was asked to help out at 10 where we all know he was brilliant, problem is at that stage LUdick and Viljoen were in very poor form and rotating because there was no consistancy in form.
When Lambie returned Plum had to decide if he put Lambie at 10 Freddy would be benched as he did not cover 15, Lambie however did so instead of only having 1 form player on the pitch he could have both, Thus Viljoen and Ludick were bench and Plum managed to have both Freddy and Lambie on the field of play.
Now i know the arguement of Lambie has been playing 15 for a few games so he is not a 10 is BS as Lambie has been playing 10 for the Sharks since 2010 where again he was MOM in the final.
Lambie played both 15 and 10 at school and yes the same is the case after school, BUt the fact is he hass played 10 very succesfully for over 2 years now and HM merely used BS spewed to keep his beloved Morne in the team when clearly he should not have been as per his form.
22 Oct 2012, 09:10 am
@Tacitus-36: Snide comment? What should one say for that cheap shot?
And Lawrence was **** – the bulls should’ve gotten 0.
22 Oct 2012, 09:10 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-28: Rubbish…
You either have no idea what thefuck is going on or… you are a deliberately lying hounddog…
I will go the former as an act of sympathy… Especially considering Saturday is looming large like a thundercloud over WP – the side with more run-on Boks than any other…
22 Oct 2012, 09:12 am
Besides the whole Lambie factor and the fact that that i am a loyal Sharks supporter. There is one player whom i feel is the most unlucky and most underrated player in SA. Louis Ludick. Always consistent, always solid, never lets his team down, defensively or on attack. There is no other 15 currently in this years currie cup that deserves a shot at test level more. Surely most will agree at the very least, that Louis is a far better player than Kirchner, or am i on my own on this one.
22 Oct 2012, 09:12 am
@sharks_lover-35: Thank goodness I don’t have to get tickets this time round…
22 Oct 2012, 09:12 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-41:
Agreed.
It was as if he only saw one team’s transgressions for the entire night.
And that in turn led to guys like Juandre Kruger losing it with him, which in turn made him blow us up even more.
Which probably resulted in the Bulls losing their tempers towards the end.
Credit to Dewald Potgieter blaming their own lack of discipline in the post match interview, but I would have been less diplomatic and said that Lawrence should have opened both his f****** eyes.
22 Oct 2012, 09:13 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-41:
nobody on here said he was the next carter or that the 2010 currie cup final was his crowning glory
and yes, he has been brilliant in the S15 over the past few seasons
the fact that he isnt from one of the north/south rugby fraternities means he doesnt get nearly as much scope as players from the wp/buls unions
same thing with keegan daniel and louis ludik
keegan daniel woud be hailed as the best thing since sliced bread if he were a bull
22 Oct 2012, 09:14 am
Question for the Lambie brigade:
If Saturdays game is to be used as an argument for why Lambie should be the Bok 10, consider that his style of play on Saturday was basically vintage Morne from a few years ago, based on forward dominance and controlling the game.
Shouldn’t we then just be getting Morne back to his best?
Just a question, I do rate Lambie, but he’s not the second coming or anything like that.
Lets keep it in perspective, something i know is hard for Sharks fans.
22 Oct 2012, 09:15 am
@Tacitus-36: Rubbish. It was a d oos move by a player comprehensively shown up on the night, and should be duly punished . End of.
As for Lawrence, agreed, not a great performance at all
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