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, 12:54 pm
@sharks_lover-299: LOL> love it. keep it coming. btw. black people run the country now,so best you be nice to shack dwellers. they determine where you tax goes.
22 Oct 2012, 12:54 pm
@Transformation-298: “who know what goes through some of these Last Outpost indoctrinated minds”.
Not much mate, that I can tell you.
22 Oct 2012, 12:55 pm
@sharks_lover-286: you want to moer me now?
22 Oct 2012, 12:55 pm
Soon there will be flying meatballs all over the place.
22 Oct 2012, 12:56 pm
@Transformation-298: Be careful you bloody agent. I must say i wouldn’t mind moving into Zooma’s Nkandla shack.
22 Oct 2012, 12:56 pm
@sharks_lover-285:
What the hell are you talking about? You started with the KK kak. I was just indulging you.
@sharks_lover-266:
@nama1-262: KK thanks
Is jy vokkin mal? 90% of my post about color?
Why should I intervene in a spat between you and Transie? You’re a big boy…or are you?
Don’t let the neves get to you. It is still early in the week.
Hou maar die pilletjies byderhand.
22 Oct 2012, 12:57 pm
I see the armchair revolutionaries and apologist are out in full force
A Looting Continuasly!
Have not seen any msunu’s in Kagiso today yet cause they are all here.
22 Oct 2012, 12:57 pm
@pompies2-301:
The poor buggars just don’t see any of it themselves, though.
22 Oct 2012, 13:00 pm
@pompies2-305: ja, me too, a friend of mine drove past Nkandla the other day and she says the new town “looks like a resort”
i reckon a shack penthouse is in order
22 Oct 2012, 13:01 pm
@Transformation-309:
It’s a proper little town! Thirty or something houses being built…
22 Oct 2012, 13:02 pm
@nama1-306: sorry Nama was pretty pist off with TRansies insulting
I remember saying KK meaning OK in answer to something you had said, apologies to you
22 Oct 2012, 13:02 pm
@WP-Forever-304: And Dusky will enter stage left brandishing an MMA “How to” guide.
22 Oct 2012, 13:02 pm
@nama1-306: bwahahahahahahahahahaa @ “Hou maar die pilletjies byderhand”
22 Oct 2012, 13:03 pm
SL probably on his phone to HG to come and help him out to put Transie in his “shack.”
22 Oct 2012, 13:04 pm
Let me be clear here to quash any doubt…
This poster is a Last Outpost Pilgrim…
A Kings Park Templar…
A Dynamite Disciple…
Who prays at the altar of Black and White…
Get ready for the Last Supper at the Cathedral of the Apex Predator WP mofos and heretics…
The Shark Tank…
BOOM!
22 Oct 2012, 13:04 pm
@David-308: Funny how cape town okes stick together no matter the insults they spew towards others, it all makes sense now, PLease ignore my posts in future, your colours are truelly shown,
22 Oct 2012, 13:05 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-312:
Let’s hope he doesn’t sprain a tendon.
I know Scandinavian health insurance systems are progressive, but I’m not sure if they cover stupidity-inflicted injuries…
22 Oct 2012, 13:05 pm
@nama1-314: Apology retracted, FO prick
22 Oct 2012, 13:06 pm
@sharks_lover-316:
I think David lives in Joburg, actually, but I digress.
Oh, and Transformation is not a Capetonian, neither is nama!
22 Oct 2012, 13:06 pm
Vlokken Kaapse gemors
22 Oct 2012, 13:07 pm
@sharks_lover-316: huh? shifting the goal posts much?
22 Oct 2012, 13:07 pm
@sharks_lover-311:
Apology accepted.
22 Oct 2012, 13:07 pm
@Fern-307: Won’t be able to get to Quins this W/E… Will just have to regale Banshee with bananaboy era tales of schweet liverpool kisses on bluffscruff in enemy territory… and living to tell the tale
22 Oct 2012, 13:07 pm
@sharks_lover-320:
That’s no way to refer to your customer base!
22 Oct 2012, 13:08 pm
@Heavens Game-315: Eish HG you should give me your phone no so i can call you of which i am already being ACCused
22 Oct 2012, 13:08 pm
@sharks_lover-311: sorry Sharkie if i annoyed you but it is just banter, i don’t recall blowing a gasket every single time you call me “mgodoyi” (isiZulu for mangy dog) which you use every time when talking to your baas HG and referring to me…
22 Oct 2012, 13:09 pm
@sharks_lover-325: i was under the impression you communicated to HG via telepathy?
22 Oct 2012, 13:09 pm
@nama1-322:
Acceptance retracted.
Vokkof dom donner.
22 Oct 2012, 13:09 pm
@nama1-322: It was retracted as per your joining in the insults
22 Oct 2012, 13:10 pm
@nama1-328: Fok jou ook doos
22 Oct 2012, 13:11 pm
@WP-Forever-319: Shutup brokeback fakefcker…
Why don’t you just C&P some Wiki… Quote some “facts” as if they come out of your very own blowback dutpipe…
It makes sense… you make sense, at least…
To the noobs you sound authoritative…
Others know better though
22 Oct 2012, 13:12 pm
@pompies2-327: We have never even met,
22 Oct 2012, 13:12 pm
@WP-Forever-319:
Hey, I’m in exile. Been a WP supporter for over 40 years and SL seems to have lost his sense of humour.
22 Oct 2012, 13:13 pm
@WP-Forever-317: Or self inflicted injuries…..
@sharks_lover-320: Vlokken Kaapse gemors? You live here and work here? Ummm.
22 Oct 2012, 13:13 pm
@Heavens Game-315: and not to forget a Chimurenga Escapee aka Rhodesian Flee(r), one who crossed the Limpopo in one single leap as he fled from the frenzied Shonas
22 Oct 2012, 13:13 pm
@sharks_lover-332: i think your bromance will be solidifeid once you meet face to face. break the news to your wife gently
22 Oct 2012, 13:14 pm
@Heavens Game-331: Higginbottom suspened for 2 weeks
22 Oct 2012, 13:15 pm
@Transformation-326: Mgodoyi Megatron… Has some merit… Sounds suitably illiterate… and embarrassing… for a “true” supporter of real SA Rugby embarrassment… The HSM 1st Division “Champs”… Super Rugby Franchise Elect…
Super Rugby Centurions… Record breakers… First time Acceptors of 100pt averages all season long…
22 Oct 2012, 13:15 pm
Keo
Please man.
You gotta restore order on this site, asap.
Ban all Sharks fans
22 Oct 2012, 13:15 pm
@Heavens Game-331: I have something for you to Wiki-looki.
Latent homosexuality.
22 Oct 2012, 13:15 pm
@323.Also a bit too late now,doubt you would get a visa for the Bluff in time:-)
You can always pop into the Quins box at KP and share that piece of Quins history there:-)
22 Oct 2012, 13:16 pm
make that 4 weeks
22 Oct 2012, 13:17 pm
@willievz-339:
Nah, their hot air is the one thing that’ll keep the rain away on saturday.
22 Oct 2012, 13:18 pm
@willievz-339: That will be fine by me,
22 Oct 2012, 13:18 pm
@Transformation-335: Chimurenga? Nope… only Matabeles there… well the surviving ones anyway… A signpost of patterns to come in SA…
Pretoria Central a holding cell for surviving Xhosas after the Zulu finally catch the running curs in the Eastern Cape once and for all…
After all, if Bob can do it, the Zoomer surely will follow suit
22 Oct 2012, 13:19 pm
@Fern-341: HIYas fernly, ur very scarce lately
22 Oct 2012, 13:19 pm
@sharks_lover-332: And you never will. Because HG does not exist in the form that he exhibits on this site.
Anyone displaying so much bravado, pomp and splendour, is usually a)teenyfuckingtiny b)grey and overweight and c) terribly insignificant and much maligned in the real world.
22 Oct 2012, 13:19 pm
@David-343:
Wet weather or no wet weather, I struggle to see how WP can win this one.
This Sharks team, on paper, is just a cut above.
22 Oct 2012, 13:22 pm
@willievz-339:
22 Oct 2012, 13:23 pm
@ 339 willievz,hehehe
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