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, 12:15 pm
@Transformation-250: If Potgieter can be a Bok anyone can be a Bok
22 Oct 2012, 12:16 pm
@sharks_lover-229: Ohdeargoats. Dude, are you EVER happy with a ref’s appointment? You have a home final, are in form, have the best in the country from 1 all the way to 15 and on the bench…..(so you say) and Plum is the greatest coach on the planet. You have no injuries, whackloads of experience and are playing against arguably the ‘greenest’ team in the CC.
If the Sharks lose mate, it will have nothing to do with the ref, that much I can guarantee you.
22 Oct 2012, 12:18 pm
to all those crying about Ludik, John Plumtree doesn’t rate him too!
Louis Ludik’s performances since the England series according to that bastion of Sharks sycophancy Sharksworld.co.za
vs Bulls:
15) Louis Ludik. In addition to his ever-safe play at the back, Ludik attacked the line with gusto this week and was finally rewarded for his efforts when he managed to scythe through for the vital bonus-point try late in the game. Mr Consistency delivers again. 8/10
vs Cheetahs: 15:
Pat Lambie. Another who looked to have been rushed back from injury. Pat was pretty good at fullback, without being great, yet unfortunately went off injured at half time. 5/10
22) Louis Ludik. Showed in just 40 minutes that he’s the Sharks’ best fullback, bar none. 8/10
vs Reds:
15. Louis Ludik. Proved again that he’s the Sharks’ best bet at fullback; his positioning and technique on defence are outstanding and he’s never afraid to join the line with heart either. 9/10
vs Stormers (picked @ wing)
14) Louis Ludik. Another player picked out of position who simply shone. His collect-and-dart to score the Sharks’ opening try was, to my mind, the defining moment of the match and opened up a lead that the Sharks were never to relinquish. This man has Springbok written all over him at the moment. 9/10
i ask you, why was he DROPPED for Lambie at fullback?
22 Oct 2012, 12:18 pm
@SuperStirrer-235:
He did look lost/confuse at times.
Meyer fucked up his head properly imo.
22 Oct 2012, 12:19 pm
@sharks_lover-251: so PsdT is in Pottie’s level…OKAY
22 Oct 2012, 12:19 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-252: Hey really sista sledge
I WAS stirring, vat a chill pill voor jy volgende keer die gode onoodiglik roep 
22 Oct 2012, 12:22 pm
@sharks_lover-256: What do you think I was doing? It’s going to be a long week…..very long.
22 Oct 2012, 12:23 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-257:
22 Oct 2012, 12:23 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-257:
goed so tannie Sledge :lol
22 Oct 2012, 12:24 pm
One thing is for sure?? the BUlls and Lions bloggers have gone awol
22 Oct 2012, 12:25 pm
@Transformation-236:
Losing the argument when you getting personal. Sies!!
So how about those Kings?
22 Oct 2012, 12:26 pm
@sharks_lover-248:
Tony Johnstone from NZ.
22 Oct 2012, 12:31 pm
@sharks_lover-251:
Remember Pierre Uys and Marco Wentzel?
I place Jacques Potgieter in the same category as them.
22 Oct 2012, 12:32 pm
@Mr Black-261: yeah right…i asked about PsdT and i got an answer about “multiple IDs” but you missed that didn’t ya?
sies indeed
22 Oct 2012, 12:34 pm
@Mr Black-261: FYI there was no argument, Sharks_Lover was talking out of his morbidlyobese posterior when he tried to compare Steph du Toit – who is a great prospect – playing U21 rugby to Eben Etzebeth!
22 Oct 2012, 12:34 pm
@puff-263: Yeah Puff, some crazy selection
@nama1-262: KK thanks
22 Oct 2012, 12:36 pm
@Transformation-265: Hey cnut come tell me this to my face you sprry excuse for a human, transie come you ******* hinja, your mouth is big you little shack dweller
22 Oct 2012, 12:36 pm
Who is the fastest centre in SA rugby ??????????? Anyone !!!!
22 Oct 2012, 12:37 pm
@sharks_lover-267: YOH!
Beyootiful!
22 Oct 2012, 12:38 pm
@Rockn Rolla-268: JDJ
JDV and BRache
22 Oct 2012, 12:40 pm
@Heavens Game-269: Welcome back bro
22 Oct 2012, 12:40 pm
@Rockn Rolla-268: I’m not sure, but I’m going to guarantee you it will be a Shark. Even if it’s a 16 year old kid playing for Maritzburg, it WILL be a Shark
Jordaan is the name I think most guppies will throw out there.
@sharks_lover-267: The chill pill you suggested I take earlier. I’m giving it back to you.
No charge.
22 Oct 2012, 12:41 pm
@sharks_lover-267: “you little shack dweller” bwahahahahaha
22 Oct 2012, 12:41 pm
@Transformation-264:
@Transformation-265:
Don’t appologise to me!
So how about those Kings?
22 Oct 2012, 12:41 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-272: NA sista sledge when the prick starts getting personal its a different ball game.
Talk **** about the Sharks thats fine.
22 Oct 2012, 12:41 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-272:
Woah…does this mean Heavens Game is now a Mormon too?
22 Oct 2012, 12:42 pm
@Transformation-273: yes, maybe i must get your real name from Puma, start flying with the insults back you ******* lowlife
22 Oct 2012, 12:43 pm
@sharks_lover-267: keyboard warrior
22 Oct 2012, 12:43 pm
@sharks_lover-270:
I say Paul Jordan
22 Oct 2012, 12:44 pm
@Mr Black-274: where did you read an apology?
22 Oct 2012, 12:44 pm
@sharks_lover-266:
Don’t come here with your KK tendencies, OK!
This is a revolutionary blog and if I say jump, you jump.
@Rockn Rolla-268:
Jordaan probably up there.
22 Oct 2012, 12:44 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-272: Noone is saying JOrdaan, but now that you mention it why not??
22 Oct 2012, 12:44 pm
@Transformation-? do you steal electricity from SL & HG to power your DSTV?
22 Oct 2012, 12:45 pm
@sharks_lover-277: HAHAHAHAHAHAHHA :rgreen:
your EQ is moer toe
tl tl tl
22 Oct 2012, 12:45 pm
@nama1-281: NAma STFU, you quick to talk yet you love bringing colour into 90% of your posts, but then again it shows you class or lack of it, you mate insults people and in your eyes its fine???
Says it all
22 Oct 2012, 12:47 pm
@Transformation-284: Told you before little Cnut your mouth is big online,
22 Oct 2012, 12:47 pm
Yoh.
Somebody please pull the release valve!
22 Oct 2012, 12:47 pm
I must admit, I preferred the old Natal supporters before they adopted this Sharks nonsense. They were a lot humbler then and dutifully respectful towards the “traditional powerhouses”.
22 Oct 2012, 12:47 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-272:
Why do you hate them Sharks then…….Bad ex lover was a sharks fan or what????
22 Oct 2012, 12:48 pm
@Transformation-284: I like the boisterous chest thumping from HG & SL. Definitely is more entertaining dissappearing act the occassionally play out.
22 Oct 2012, 12:48 pm
This is approaching Def Con Poppa.
22 Oct 2012, 12:49 pm
@Transformation-273: Palace dweller
@Rockn Rolla-279: FuckI’mNostradamus. How did I know that????????? ****gofigure****
@pompies2-283: That, my friend is borderline hysterical
@WP-Forever-276: Worse. A scientologist.
22 Oct 2012, 12:49 pm
@sharks_lover-286: wie de vok is jy? jy’s darem balkeierig? kalmeer so bietjie.
22 Oct 2012, 12:49 pm
@Transformation-280:
Ok lets not talk about the Kings……..
22 Oct 2012, 12:50 pm
@Rockn Rolla-289: Read this ————-> @David-288:
22 Oct 2012, 12:50 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-292:
Somebody needs an audit.
22 Oct 2012, 12:52 pm
@WP-Forever-291:
Meltdown on Mondays. There’s a song in that somewhere, to the tune of Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
22 Oct 2012, 12:52 pm
@pompies2-283: i have no idea how i qualify to be “shack dweller” and how that is supposed to be an insult considering the people that live in shacks don’t live there by choice hence the service delivery protests but hey, who know what goes through some of these Last Outpost indoctrinated minds
22 Oct 2012, 12:52 pm
@pompies2-293: FO doos, wie die vok is jy?? jy het geen idea wat gese is noe , so vat jou mening en steek dit in jou gat op.
22 Oct 2012, 12:53 pm
@WP-Forever-296: The E-Meter won’t cope and the computer will say no.
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