Lambie's only role at fly-half; Planet Rugby

Springbok head coach Heyneke Meyer has revealed that Pat Lambie will only be used at fly-half during the Rugby World Cup.

Versatile enough to play in midfield or at full-back, Lambie has played a key role at number ten for South Africa since his debut back in 2010.

Lambie has not started a Test at full-back for South Africa since the 2013 November Test against Wales.

His most recent outing for his country, at fly-half away to Argentina, saw him finish with 16 points in the side's only Test win of the year.

Meyer said that the length of time since Lambie has last played at 15 in a Test match was the reason for keeping him only at fly-half, and also had led to the decision to include Leinster's Zane Kirchner in the squad.

“Pat would have covered 15 for us and Polly (Handré Pollard) or Morné (Steyn) 10, but I just felt that Pat played at full-back too long ago and it wouldn’t be fair to him,” said Meyer.

“Zane [Kirchner] can cover 12, 13 and wing. We decided after a long debate that we wouldn’t play Pat at 15, it wouldn’t be fair on him as he has just come back from an injury and he last played at 15 some 18 months ago.

“It is a vital position and we just decided we would stick with Pat at 10, and rather bring in another full-back, and Zane is in form.

"We would have gone with one full-back initially and Pat, and we needed to choose."

Huh.
I would prefer Lambie at fullback and Willie on the wing. Lambie better suited to the style of game the WC demands - especially his kicking and Willie is a massive upgrade over anyone else on the wing. His creativity is essential to the team, but leaves us less exposed on the wing.
Plenty of pool games to get game time.
Maybe this is an indication Lambie is first choice flyhalf?

 Sounds like he is the first choice 10. I bet he will be used to cover other positions if needed though.

 Every time Meyer says something about the squad - the less sense he makes.   Forinstance-in what great form has Kirchner being recently?   If he was - why was he never tried in the tests over the last two months?   
The only assumption can make from his comments was that he decided in 2012 already who would be in the squad for 2015 come hell or high water.   In other words he was never interested in performance as a norm for selection - just reputation.  However, three of Meyer's perceived squad did not make it because they decided to retire from international rugby - otherwise they would have been in the squad.   
Kirchner is another example of why I say that Meyer decided in 2012 about the players to be in the squad.  At that time Kirchner was in the Springbok team and he went out only because of injury.   He appeared briefly from the bench last year, but was boo-ed by the crowd.  No other appearance in nearly three years but he is in "great form" according to Meyer.
The following  is what one can only call  BS:- 
 "Meyer said that the length of time since Lambie has last played at 15 in a Test match was the reason for keeping him only at fly-half, and also had led to the decision to include Leinster's Zane Kirchner in the squad."
Kirchner has not played in tests since 2012 - at least Lambie has been playing off the bench a number of times during the said period.   As far as I know - and I may be wrong Kirchner played at wing for Leinster, not at full back.   
Be it as it may - this is another example of the shambles the  selection process of the squad became and now we have a squad of a very dubious nature.  
  

Patrick has always been talented...since a young lad at Michaelhouse I've watched him grow. A leader amongst boys... a sound character, almost over talented, popular in a quiet way. Excelled in school , in leadership in a posh school...played good cricket as well but rugby was his game...not a guy that promotes himself but just does those things that most of us lack but gifted. This brought success to him, but has never gone to his head...a committed man to Christ who genuinely as to hearsay is sincere.

Father was an old Natal rugby player but his career was ended due to injury.

I do not know Patrick but am connected to people who do...rugby he loves but Christ is his first love and like many players like Tendai, Keegan and a few others will bear this out.

Christianity in the TRUE BIBLICAL sense is not for softies.

I obviously cannot speak for PL but what I do know, will find happiness and fulfillment in what he stands for.

In my honest opinion, as far as the rugby and secular stand point is...Patrick has had his trials, been through many changes...shuffled backwards and forwards...had a great Les Bleu flyhalf Frederick Michalak as a replacement and mentor and thrown in at RWC 2011 at fullback where he did equally well... I still gun for this 25 year old...realise he's got good challenge with Handre Pollard and could end up with a record of the Keith Oxlees's. Phil Bennett's, Dan Carter's, Thierry La Croix's Dimitri Yachvilli's,Hugo Porta's, Jonny Wilkinson's and Martin Hernandez's of this world.

So be it...nail me if I'm wrong.

I agree with Matey....Lambie is a WC style fullback. I f we anoint him with the Boks WC flyhalf duties and things run true to the past, he will start brightly but gradually collapse under the weight of responsibility. He has played all his best test rugby off the bench where the pressure was less.

 Mozart always carries on about responsibility - but he forgets there is another issue, namely that the spirit is willing - but the body not so.  This pressure story entails the same - there are so many naledi spirits in that team with putrid performance records - how are they going to d o when the bodies give in?   

Duplicate  

 
"duplicate" ... ???

Of what???

Looks more like a decomposing brain if you ask me!!

 
Lambie is a class act.

I love his quiet spoken manner.

He's a natural leader and if given a shot would make an excellent Bok captain.

 

Lambie has a great head on his shoulders and BMT. His best position is flyhalf and Meyer has at least got that right.
He was, I heard, head boy of his school so being a Bok captain is a possibility. However Pollard looks the more gifted player.

Lambie has a great head on his shoulders and BMT. His best position is flyhalf and Meyer has at least got that right.
He was, I heard, head boy of his school so being a Bok captain is a possibility. However Pollard looks the more gifted player.