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, 09:15 am
@jacoshark-38: If Lambie is AS good as what you all seem to think, and had all these match winning qualities you say he has, he should have started the S15 final at 10 – THE END.(Michalak to the bench end of story)
Fuckall to do with team sport. You had Ludik in sublime form at 15……and the “best 10 in the country” FIT and ready to play in Lambie – YET: Lambie starts at 15……., and Michalak ran the game from 10…….?
Sorry mate – there comes a time when you have to admit the Sharks fuckeduphis Bok 10 chances this year.
22 Oct 2012, 09:16 am
@Heavens Game-44: How many run on Boks did WP boast on Saturday?
I counted 2 in the current setup.
22 Oct 2012, 09:16 am
@Atreides-50:
Disagree.
22 Oct 2012, 09:19 am
@Tacitus-36: They got frustrated at the end because they were
- out thought
- out played
The fact that the referee was one sided is not an indictment on Lawrence – it is an indication of the Bulls indiscipline and predictability that was taken full advantage of by the more savvy Sharks…
Simply put – The Bulls were frustrated because they were fckedup on the field, and they had no alternative tactics to try and change the course of the game…
Bulls can either take this as a lesson to be learnt and realize that there is more than one way to skin a rugby cat or they can sink into mediocrity reminiscent of the late 90′s, early 2000′s similarly yearning and dreaming for the superiority of yesteryear…
22 Oct 2012, 09:20 am
@stormersboy-49: How about bringing vintage Naas back?
22 Oct 2012, 09:20 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-41: @Tacitus-36: Why not go watch the match again calmly??
I have now 3 times and there were mistakes made both ways by Lawrence, fact is the Bulls dissapline was very poor.
I watched the match live at the stadium and went home thinking the same thing, damn Lawrence owed us so he prolly paid back, Bulls got nailed i thought, well go watch again.
In watching again there are only 2 times he penalised the Bulls that one can say NO Mr Lawrence wrong call, I can’t remember the 1, but one was where Kirchner was tackled and got pipnged for holding on, Fact is Sharks players did not allow him to place the ball as they did not release.
Now lets go back to Lawrence’s hasty whistly when Lambie chipped the ball, a try was scored, Lawrence had infact blown early thus he could not allow the try, fact is a mistake by Lawrence.
Again i can’t remember all the exacts but there was a few rucks where BUlls players went flying over the top ala kamakazi style, never coming near to the rule of staying on their feet, this was not blown?
So no the Bulls were not beaten by the ref, The Bulls were whipped by the Sharks and of course their own ill dissapline.
22 Oct 2012, 09:20 am
@jacoshark-48: Ludik deserves the chance to step up, and I think you will see many on here agreeing, regardless of who they support.
Keegan Daniel is a firebrand and incredibly gifted loose forward – but when one saw the Argie maul lift him up like a helium balloon at a parade – you HAVE to question his strength in countering the physicality on the international stage. Be honest with yourself.
As for Lambie – you can’t call him the best, because he hasn’t been tested yet. Let’s see what gives on the EOYT, and hope he gets a start at 10. Simple.
22 Oct 2012, 09:22 am
@Heavens Game-54:
Of course you would see it that way.
The fact is, the Sharks are the better team at the moment, and I said so before the game.
They didn’t need Lawrence’s one sided reffing to sully what should have been a straightforward win for them.
22 Oct 2012, 09:23 am
@stormersboy-52: The last Bok side to play NZ had 5 WP players excluding Louw…
Sharks had 3 excluding Pienaar…
Bulls had 2…
WP are Heyneke’s current favourite flavour… No doubt due to the noisy CT press and his rather flip flopping temperament exposed… His bad though because currently Heyneke and these Cape ‘kenner” journos and their favourites are being embarrassed by a “fullback” playing at 10, and a midget Captaining at 8 for the Sharks…
22 Oct 2012, 09:23 am
@trupisero-55: Morne needs rest, and then he will get his chance. Whether he makes a play for higher honours depends on his performance. People mustn’t get over dramatic, he is out of form for sure, but there is a time and a place for his style of play, just as Pat showed on Saturday by basically “out-Morne – ing” Morne.
22 Oct 2012, 09:24 am
@stormersboy-49: The deference is, the weather and pitch conditions were the reason for the Sharks tactics, and that when the conditions are good and dry, The Sharks and Lambie have the ability to Change their style, something Morne and the Boks cant do. The Sharks were one of the best attacking units this year, currie cup and super rugby.
Its all about which players and teams can adapt to certain conditions. Morne has got one Style and he cant change that. Besides, even though Lambie played a M. Steyn style on saterday, he did way better than Steyn did.
22 Oct 2012, 09:25 am
I think most would agree here that the little Lamb and Webster are the two FH’s that Heineke should look at. TBH, they are really the only two we currently have available, therefore all this posturing and bravado should be aimed at our national coach so that he can be convinced of this.
On the CC final..its gonna be EPIC!!! Any idea what the weather will be like in Durbs this weekend? Should we back a brolly or a boardshorts?
22 Oct 2012, 09:28 am
Damn this thread is gonna buzz today
Imma go fetch the popcoen so long
22 Oct 2012, 09:28 am
@Tacitus-58: Lawrence did not sully the Sharks win… at all.
If anything he was rather sympathetic to the Bulls predicament by only giving a yellow for a blatant trip – subsequently not playing advantage for a certain try by two chasers on Lambie’s chip…
He and the TMO were also lenient to a fault when deciding not to sanction knee contact by Kruger(?) to the face of a Sharks player in a ruck…
In both cases a NH ref would have shown a Red…
If anything Lawrence’s lenience is a tribute to Sharks discipline and superiority on the day…
Hard truths, but your chaps need it and better take it on board because those frustrations aren’t going to go away if the Bulls persist with same type of overall game strategy and in game tactics…
22 Oct 2012, 09:29 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-57:
he hasnt been tested yet? thats laughable
he has been tested time and time again, against the best in SA
he has been the best in SA
i think thats enough to warrant a start for the boks at 10
22 Oct 2012, 09:31 am
@Heavens Game-59: I’m aware of all that. getting back to your post though, you speak of a WP side with the most “run on Boks”, or whatever that means.
Are you counting players that are not available for the team on Saturday to support your argument?
Lets be more realistic and compare how many capped players are in each 22.
Sharks: (9)
Mvovo
Peterson
Lambie
Daniel
Alberts
Coetzee
Deysel
Jannie
Beast
WP:(6)
Aplon
Brian
JDJ
Vermeulen
Etsebeth
Liebenberg
22 Oct 2012, 09:31 am
@stormersboy-52: The final on Saturday will be contested between a team that has a combined total of 500 1st class caps, and one that has about 50000000000000 1st class caps
Injuries:
Sharks: Frans Steyn and Bissie. Missing: Kanko
Stormers: Schalk, Jean Div, Bekker, Liebenberg, Elstadt, Kolisi, Duvenage (no loss there). Missing: Grant
Saturday’s game:
Capped Springboks or squad members, Sharks: Beast, Jannie, Burden, Alberts, Daniel, Coetzee, JPP, Deysel, McLeod, Mvovo
Capped Springboks, Stormers: Eben, Duane, Gio, Juan, Bryan
Have I missed anyone?
22 Oct 2012, 09:32 am
@Tacitus-58: I thought it was a pretty straightforward win for them.
@stormersboy-60: Ja, but why downgrade to v1.1 if v1.2 is performing better? Any coincidence that the Bulls have not featured in the last couple of seasons’ finals and Morne’s form?
22 Oct 2012, 09:34 am
@jacoshark-65: You are getting hysterical, but you are not hearing what I am saying.
He should have started the S15 final at 10 to prove to Meyer and the rest of SA, what you Sharks fans “seem” to have known all along.
I want him to be given a start at 10 for the Boks – most people do, but until he DOES get a start,and we all see how he goes on the international stage – how about holding back on his alleged “awesomeness” – because it has YET to be tested where it counts – simple.
22 Oct 2012, 09:34 am
Duty calls.
Later
22 Oct 2012, 09:35 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-67:
Uhm…not having Grant and Duvenhage is actually good for WP
22 Oct 2012, 09:36 am
@sharks_lover-56: The Bulls were utter kak. Fact.
Mark had a dodgy game. Fact.
You Shark boys are the 1st to moan about him……so simply look at his incompetence on Saturday as PROOF of what you lot have always alleged?
Or is he suddenly fair and kind, because the opposition team got a few really shittycalls and not you lot?
He has always been a little dodgy, and he was dodgy on Saturday.
22 Oct 2012, 09:36 am
Bulls coach Pine Pienaar and captain Dewald Potgieter bemoaned the team’s poor performance and lack of discipline in their Currie Cup semifinal loss to the Sharks at the weekend.
The Sharks won 20-3, to earn the right to host Western Province in the Final next week.
For the Bulls, who won the last of their 27 Currie Cup titles in 2009, it is now a time of introspection.
Pienaar was predictably unhappy by the manner in which his side bowed out, but played down suggestions that they lacked ambition.
“What they [the Sharks] have done better [in the semifinal] is kicking more accurately than us,” Pienaar said.
“Their contestables were more spot on than what we offered and basically the pressure they put on us turned into penalties.
“So I wouldn’t say they were more ambitious than us, they were just more accurate.”
Potgieter was equally forthright, saying: “Ill-discipline really cost us, especially in the first half.
“We couldn’t get our hands on the ball, we couldn’t get ourselves in the game.
“In a semifinal, if your discipline is poor, then you are going to struggle.”
He pointed to a penalty, when the Bulls were looking to get back in the game halfway through the second half, as the turning point and a good example of how their lack of discipline cost them.
Pienaar admitted that his side were not good enough on the day, and that the Sharks adapted better to the wet conditions.
“I’m pretty disappointed with our showing in this match,” Pienaar said.
“They handled better in their own half in those terrible conditions.
“I think both sides came out all guns blazing defensively, the gainline battle was immense.
“Well done to them, they finished top of the log and they deserve to host that home final.”
22 Oct 2012, 09:36 am
@Tacitus-36:
Laughable!!!
Can we get serious this monday please!
22 Oct 2012, 09:37 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-67: See my post 66. Was thinking along the same lines.
I’d back a full strength WP against the Sharks any day, but that’s the way it goes,
On the day we’ll just have to see.
22 Oct 2012, 09:37 am
@Tacitus-53: I wonder if Ludik would disagree too.
Cowardly cheap shot. You could actually see the moment he decided to take a swing.
22 Oct 2012, 09:38 am
@stormersboy-32: 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.”
go Shag!
22 Oct 2012, 09:39 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-51: Wrong on all counts…
Forgetfulness is no virtue, darling…
Let me remind you…
Lambie was injured for quite a few games…
Freddy, who initially was hired by the Sharks as SH – a position in which he was stereotyped in France, similar to Lambie as 15 here, took over at 10 for the Sharks after Lambie’s injury…
Freddy played so well for the Sharks that it is quite possible that he was the form 10 in Super rugby at that stage and certainly the best 10 playing for SA Super rugby teams, Goosen included… As a result of his excellent play for the Sharks he is now seen as one of the leading 10s for Les Bleus…
In short, Freddy changed everyones minds, including the French selectors, no easy task…
Since Freddy was on fire, Plum did the rational logical thing any good coach worth his salt would do… Play the form player in his form position…
Unnerstand? (Not that I would expect you to… Cue comments about anything other than rugger)
22 Oct 2012, 09:39 am
Lot’s of bleating this morning from Tacitus, stormersboy and hound dog.
It’s a beautiful thing when the Sharks dominate the “big traditional powerhouse unions” (which is most often).
22 Oct 2012, 09:39 am
@trupisero-68: I’m not saying we should downgrade at all, I’m alluding to the fact that Morne’s style isn’t always wrong, in fact it showed last when we played NZ in NZ that it was very close to being the winning style, he wasn’t able to execute properly.
The point I was making was not a Fly-half vs Flyhalf one, but rather to point out that the kick and chase game still has a place in rugby.
22 Oct 2012, 09:39 am
@Heavens Game-9:
Yeah its was in an interview by Morne Steyn on KeoTV and SA Rugby Mag
“Ya they (who is they and why does he have the inside info)actualy see Lambie as a fullback
had Morne Steyn and Heyeke Meyer been seen having coffee in hatfield square before then or what, discussing the ways FWD through the hierachy of SA rugby
22 Oct 2012, 09:39 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-72: Dodgy because you say so??
Dont argue without the facts missy, go watch the match again, i did, thus i can voice an opinion.
I was one that also said Lawrence has nailed the Sharks on many occasions, and i am saying he was very fair on saturday.
22 Oct 2012, 09:40 am
@Liewe Luiperd-79: Bleating?
About what?
22 Oct 2012, 09:41 am
@Transformation-77: That part got me too.
22 Oct 2012, 09:42 am
@sharks_lover-82: Of course you are saying he was fair on Saturday. Things worked out well for you.
I say again, the Bulls were woeful, and you fellows would have smashed them regardless of WHO reffed.
I’m saying Mark L made some very confusing calls, and the Bulls seemed to get the majority of them.
22 Oct 2012, 09:43 am
Final will be a new day and a new match, hopefully better conditions will be the order of the day.
Hopefully my Sharks can bring their A game again, gonna be one very tough match.
22 Oct 2012, 09:43 am
The point of highlighting this weekends game is simply because it was a asemi-final, and as such it demonstrates how the players handle the pressure of do or die, not to say based on one game that players aren’t good enough. And to stiff arm a player for any reason, no matter the frustration, is just unsportsmanlike.
22 Oct 2012, 09:45 am
@Rockn Rolla-81: Makes one think as to what is really going on.
22 Oct 2012, 09:46 am
@stormersboy-66: Capped means fuckall especially in light of players rotting on the Bok bench with probably 20 mins game time to speak of for the whole International season despite being “capped” several times…
Forked tongue, disengenuity, means farkall in light of 4/9 International success in the wake of many, many Sharks discards from the Bok run-on side or the squad itself… Subsequent to which are embarrassing the claims of the current “No. 1″ incumbents and those noisy Cape journos and kenners who championed their claims and myths to a surprisingly wishy washy Meyer…
He now reaps the whirlwind of playing substandard players with a substandard “gameplan” all in the name of “traditional power”… 4/9 aint pretty with better players left out, on the bench or unrecognised…
22 Oct 2012, 09:46 am
@Liewe Luiperd-79: If it wasn’t for the traditional powerhouses Spooner, the Sharks would still be playing against the Pumas,EP Kings and Boland week in and week out
Never forget your roots laddie, and where you come from. By the good grace and kindness of the traditional powerhouses (and 2 votes from our presidents at the time), you were elevated into the big leagues free/gratis and at no cost, and given the chance to compete.
Now instead of whinging, thank us.
22 Oct 2012, 09:48 am
the sharks can never complain about Mark Lawrence again.
That said they were miles better than the Bulls who need a total rethink.
Shrokies were deserved winners.
22 Oct 2012, 09:52 am
With Province given no chance next Saturday, why all the bragging…
We know that the Sharks are the best franchise in the world, they have the best 15,14,13,12,11,10,9,8,7,6,5,3,2,1 in South Africa at present. Thank goodness we have Etsebeth otherwise we were totally buggered…
22 Oct 2012, 09:52 am
@Heavens Game-78: Then you can’t bleat about Meyer not selecting Lambie at 10……..simple.
Having Michalak in Durban screwed with Lambie (and his Bok chances) – the end. And if you can’t see this, then I don’t know.
22 Oct 2012, 09:53 am
@stormersboy-49: eish….
22 Oct 2012, 09:53 am
Pat should have been wearing the Bok 10 jersey since 2010. Been waiting a long time for this and he surely deserves it. He is our complete 10 and should get to start this eoyt.
22 Oct 2012, 09:53 am
I guess Sharks to win by 30 points…
Better get my superbru in now…
22 Oct 2012, 09:53 am
@Heavens Game-89: What are you actually on about??
Bitter that Keegan isn’t in the team?? Morne?
What?
22 Oct 2012, 09:54 am
@Rockn Rolla-81: That bullshitt started way back on the EOYT 2011 after Lambie was the last roll of the dice by PdV against Scotland in a blizzard where he fckedup a kick for poles in his first act seconds after coming on in the last 5mins after Steyn proved about as effective as a statue in the driving snow…
This was started by Matfield and Steyn right there and then – and perpetuated by Meyer, Ludeke who have intimated with Chinese whispers certain “weaknesses” of Lambie, especially with the boot, if he is supposedly pressured a certain “secret” way that they are privy to…
Looks like their Lambie theories are proving to be as mythical as the “Traditional Power” and “Traditional Bok Way” myths in an era of rugby where you are only as good as your last game…
By that standard the “fullback” is pretty damn good at 10, and the midget is farken excellent at 8… But they are both unfortunate in that neither wear the light blue of streeptrui cloak of “traditional power” invisibility or invincibility…
22 Oct 2012, 09:54 am
@stormersboy-97:
22 Oct 2012, 09:55 am
@Gumboots-92: Hell, even Province aren’t giving Province a chance….
Lions coach Ackerman says Sharks by 15……Most others have them taking it by 20 or more.
If they don’t murder our boys, they have failed.
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