Critical juncture for Lambie
20 Nov 2012
RYAN VREDE, in London, writes Pat Lambie has yet to convince of his aptitude as a Test flyhalf but has an opportunity to push his case with a strong showing at Twickenham.
Lambie’s lot is an unenviable one. From the outset of the tour he was acutely aware that he would have, at most, three run outs to advance his cause as a Springbok pivot, the position he showed promise in with the Sharks this season. With Lambie’s potency resting heavily on the performance of his pack and coach Heyneke Meyer inadvertently contradicting his professed faith in Lambie by admitting that Morne Steyn is an insurance policy, his plight was complicated.
Meyer was also initially cold on the idea of Lambie in the No 10 shirt – believing him to be better suited to fullback – but has softened his stance in light of his Super Rugby and Currie Cup form. The decision to install him ahead of Steyn was a difficult one for Meyer, despite the latter’s obvious struggles throughout the season, with that call made on the Sunday before the Ireland Test. Even then it was not one taken with absolute conviction.
Adding to Lambie’s challenge was the need to adapt his natural game to meet Meyer’s high expectations of his flyhalves from a tactical kicking perspective. This has been Lambie’s weakest point over the last fortnight, although it would be remiss not to note that he has effectively had just two halves of ‘play’, owing to the Springboks’ awful start in Dublin and their regression in the second half at Murrayfield on Saturday. Furthermore he has been partnered by Ruan Pienaar, who is on his own mission to nail down a place, and a back division that lacks cohesion and synergy.
He will be desperate for things to come together over 80 minutes against England.
There have been moments to inspire confidence that he could advance his cause if given a strong platform by his forwards. He will also hope to benefit from what seems to be a measure of power that Twickenham has offered Springbok flyhalves in recent years – with Butch James, Andre Pretorius and Ruan Piennar all delivering excellent performances in their sides’ wins in 2006 and 2008 respectively. In James’s case it settled then coach Jake White’s mind that he was the right man to steer the ship at the 2007 World Cup. Pretorius made that squad on the strength of what he could offer from a goal and tactical kicking perspective, and Pienaar was retained at flyhalf for the British & Irish Lions series after his impressive offering in 2008.
He has the inside lane to be at the head of the queue to push Johan Goosen, Meyer’s first-choice flyhalf, for his place. My understanding, based on information from sources close to Lambie, is that it is also the position he sees himself settling in, despite him saying in Dublin that he is happy to switch between fullback and flyhalf at this stage.
It was always highly unrealistic to expect him to thrive in such a short period of time and against the backdrop of the aforementioned complexities. But sometimes in professional sport, this is how it is. International careers have been launched, stalled or ended by athletes who have capitalised on unexpected opportunities of this ilk.
At just 22, Lambie’s Test career certainly won’t be ended by a failure to flourish at Twickenham. It could, however, be stalled. His is one of the most interesting sub-plots that will play out. The occasion and incentive calls for an emphatic statement from Lambie.
123 Comments
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20 Nov 2012, 13:40 pm
@skopdiekan-98: That could not be more incorrect. Lambie is light years ahead of Jantjie defensivley. Lambie and Jantjies also both play close to the gain line but Jantjies also tends to drop into the pocket when the heat is on.
20 Nov 2012, 13:42 pm
@nama1-99: Nah Nams he is wrong there. I really rate Jantjies and I am not saying he is a terrible defender but it is a weakness of his. Lambie is not perfect but his defence is better than Jantjies and Goosens.
20 Nov 2012, 13:42 pm
look how NZ has nurtured Dan Carter from when he won his first cap. And we should replicate that with Lambie. But for some reason we do not know how to build a career……that is why any talented player should seek to build their career in Europe and then push for Bok honours once they return to SA. I just do not think that the intellectual capital exists in SA. Look at Koster, Ebersohns etc…..
Sorry just my opinion.
20 Nov 2012, 13:45 pm
@XV-103: XV I disagree with saying players should play abroad…ever….but you are correct, we are very poor in managing and nuturing players careers. The Aussies are brilliant at it and they have to be due to the lack of resources.
20 Nov 2012, 13:47 pm
So…post Murrayfield…what is the verdict on Juan de Jongh?
20 Nov 2012, 13:52 pm
@willievz-105: as a unit our backline is not firing because the tactics and coaching is wrong. Even Brain O’Driscoll would suffer in a Bok backline. Time for Meyer to call Todd Loudren.
20 Nov 2012, 13:54 pm
@skopdiekan-98: Cheers mate – also being called to do some work – the curse of the drinking classes…
20 Nov 2012, 13:57 pm
@willievz-105: Solid. I feel sorry for the guy, he just got no pill to play with but I am impressed with him defensivley and he is a real threat should we ever decide to give him some quality ball.
20 Nov 2012, 14:59 pm
@goodstuff-43:
A knee injury doesn’t have much to do with muscle. You just have to be unlucky.
20 Nov 2012, 15:00 pm
@willievz-105: Didn’t you hear? According to Tacitus he gave away a certain try by not passing…
As per usual Juan de Jongh showed why he’s the best defensive 13 in the country with some great aggressive tackling. Had one nice break but other than that didn’t get the ball because we have a pathetic 12 who creativity extends to occasionally getting 1 meter over the advantage line.
20 Nov 2012, 15:15 pm
@skopdiekan-98: “Jantjies tackles harder than Lambie”…
Your mythological “kennerdom” is showing… As much credibility as a scientologist critiquing and criticizing psychiatry…
Clearly…
Stick to the armchair, the hubbly bubbly and the veggie falafel… This backline stuff is confusing you enough already…
Farken Propeller head…
20 Nov 2012, 15:16 pm
@Heavens Game-111: Nearly forgot the accompanying chuckles…
Here goes…
BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA…..
20 Nov 2012, 15:29 pm
One thing is for certain – if Lambie is fortunate enough to be selected as starting 10 against England he might as well take this Bull coach by the horns and just play the way he is comfortable… The way things are going,he is playing right into the hands of the Heyneke and Morne Book of StraightJacket Rugby trap… If he continues playing this way – he will be dropped, even if he follows instructions to a Tee… If the Boks lose Meyer will forever feel vindicated in never picking Pat at 10 again, as he obviously felt vindicated after the “failure” of Elton vs the ABs… Lambie needs to think about rebelling for once in his life… The worst that will happen is that he will be pulled off… And him being replaced is what will happen anyway with Meyer’s “insurance policy”…
Take these Bulls by the horns… and farken play with freedom… Tell JdV to STFU if he gets shirty and pulls rank too… Might as well. Pat needs to show some ballas… Now or never… or else he wont see a Bok jersey til the next coach…
20 Nov 2012, 15:50 pm
@Heavens Game-113:
i agree. If Meyer intends to use him only as a stopgap, he should show him the finger and just play the style that he wants to.
20 Nov 2012, 15:53 pm
@Bagel-110:
The 12 is the real issue.
A massive elephant in the room.
20 Nov 2012, 16:13 pm
So Lambie is being shackled by an ancient gameplan but JDV just doesn’t pass out of choice? So it can’t be that JDV just might be instructed by HM to crash it up (which he did effectively against Ireland and Scotland btw) just like he was instructed by AC in the S15? Some of these Sharks fans are full of it. Lambie – as an international FH – should be able to kick when asked to do so. His kicking has been poor thus far. I agree that he needs more time to settle into the role but what applies for Lambie with regards the Boks game plan should apply to all.
20 Nov 2012, 16:22 pm
@willievz-115:
i would like to believe that 12 is being instructed to play the way he does. In any case it’s really sad to see how JdV has deteriorated from a real playmaker into the unimaginitive player we see today.
20 Nov 2012, 16:24 pm
As I’ve said before – JDV days are over – he should retire. That said he too is playing under instruction.
20 Nov 2012, 16:26 pm
Seems these dumb blond bimbo supporters from the guppy tank also cannot recognize which fly half is stronger both in the tackle and in the gain line dominance
Here are the last 2 important clashes between Lambie and Jantjies at provincial level.. and guess who came up trumps both times… .. nope it wasn’t the little blue eyed blondie bimbo from bananarama country.. nope he had to play second fiddle to the squat little darkie from jozies.. both times.
S15 Sat, 02 Jun 2012 Lions v Sharks 38-28 4:3 Johannesburg
and
CC Golden Lions -28 : Sharks - 22 Sat, 22 September 2012 Johannesburg
20 Nov 2012, 16:40 pm
@willievz-115: After Saturday, I don’t think the Bok 12 will be an issue any longer. It will probably be Jean’s last game for the Boks.
One thing though, after the Jean hating round here (some deserved, a lot of it undeserved) I am terribly keen to see what treatment the next Bok cappie gets, especially if he happens to be from Guppy or Bull land
20 Nov 2012, 16:41 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-120: Jean will play for the Boks next year.
Mark my post.
20 Nov 2012, 16:43 pm
@Heavens Game-113: You are expecting too much from a kid who WANTS to play for the Boks. Why would he self destruct by making himself unattractive to the coach. As I said yesterday, like it or not, these youngsters just want to play for the Boks regardless of who the dumbfuck is coaching at the time. They will do and say whatever it takes to stay in contention – and neither you or anyone else should expect anything else from them. Survival first.
20 Nov 2012, 17:00 pm
@jacoshark-54: Lambie played fullback most of the S15, Goosen was injured at the end of the S15. Jantjies was not that much better than Morne and still has not played one test.
All I am saying, don’t complain about 2013 selections now. It is 7 months before the first test gets played.
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