Lambie vs Morne 2013....an aberrant note

The accepted wisdom is that Lambie is the runner. Morne a dull kicker. That swapping to Lambie will spark the attacking game. But the 2013 S15 stats tell a different story. 

Morne played 15 pool matches...Lambie 14 at flyhalf.

But they both ran the ball about 90 times, Lambie 90...Morne 92.

Lambie made 344 metres at 3.8 a carry, Morne 474 at 4.74 per carry.

Lambie made 2 clean breaks, Morne made 5

Lambie beat 7 defenders, Morne beat 12 defenders

They both made 90.3 per cent of their tackles.....but Morne made 121 to Lambie's 103

Morne scored 223 points, most in the competition... 157  for Lambie

This is not an argument to restore Morne, I'm happy with Pollard. But it is a shot across the bow of those that believe Lambie is going to spark the Bok running  game. 

Unless he has changed dramatically he is towards the kicking end of the spectrum....not perhaps as far as Morne, but more of a kicker than a runner. But he is more of a chip, grubber, cross kicker vs an up and under kicker. Maybe that's progress. 

Personally I'd rather go with a natural runner like Pollard....I don't think Lambie will do much as a starter in 10 channel. What we saw in 2013, we saw again against the Poms a match in which he gained zero metres.

Morne's time is over, it is time to accept it and move on.

Pollard and Lambie are the future.  

Mike I'm certain that Moz is having you on and says these things to bait you...crumbs I always rated Moz an intelligent guy...nobody could be so dumb as to believe that robotic, non thinking programmed conventional flyhalf, MS, is could ever be compared to PL...that's too ridiculous for words...only a bird brain would include MS now, at long last, HM has finally woken up and things are looking up...due to Handre's and Pat's inclusion.

One thing is for very sure, there's not the remotest chance that any side in the world could win the WC with a flyhalf that plays like MS...if Meyer ever brings him back, then I'm afraid we are back to the dark times and I'll personally lose interest in the Boks game and support France, Ireland or even the AB's. It would be embarrassing to say the least. 

Comparing the utterly useless Morne Steyn to the talented Lambie is insulting. If Lambie had started as many tests as useless Morne by now, the lad would be a legend.

One is a ponderous plodder who has only made the grade thanks to his boot, while the other is a talented all round rugby player.

The fact that Morne played a single test for the Boks is an insult in itself.

But more to the point, imagine being a sad enough rugby supporter who actually prefers Morne over Lambie - very sad

 This unintelligent fan has on numerous occasions said he doesn't want a kicking halfback. He wants a halfback that clears the ruck quick and accurately as a primary job, then snipe and the odd kick as variation.

Pollard attacks the line, he is decisive when he does it, that is why he creates more space and hesitation in the opposition defence. He is still a work in progress as far as tactical kicking is concerned.

Lambie has finesse, to think he cannot control a game is ludicrous. He is a smart player, a bloody good defender, finds gaps and can beat defenders. He knows how to read a game.

Morne has never been able to create any doubt in opposition defence, yes he can attack the line successfully, but when last did he do that?

 Lestat, your opinions are as deluded as you are. Check Lambie's tackle stats this year. It is around 90%, regardless of whether you believe he has no physicality.

Go check his "step and dummy' against OZ at Cape Town vs Australia.

You rely too much on stats and forget observation puts everything into context.

A deft little touch here, a smart kick there, makes a difference, it has to do with subtleties that win games.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g9y7T2Fg9o

Lestat, it is clear you watch a different game to the majority of us. All the stats in the world will never convince a rugby man that Morne is anything but a ponderous plodder who has about as much attacking flair as a dead fish.

One only has to watch his highlights package covering a decade of rugby to realise exactly what he is made of. He has never been a threat with ball in hand, never will be and to add insult to injury he cant tackle........but wait for it, to his credit he can kick.

You have to be a pretty sad coach and an equally sad supporter to see any positives in the likes of a Morne type pivot.  

" Morné is still relevant to the Boks. Lambie had his chance, actually, chances, but blew them all. Just a shame my countrymen in mentally impotent." by lestat.

Meyer before the England test

Lambie has been knocking at the door for some time now, and his inspirational performances against Australia and New Zealand in the home leg of the Castle Lager Rugby Championship have certainly made him a prime candidate for a starting role. Add to that the historical bit of guiding the Boks unbeaten through a November tour back in 2012 and the 24 year old will know what awaits him in London.

“Pat started at Twickenham for us two years ago and did very well,” said Meyer

“He’s playing well at the moment and I wanted to give him the opportunity to start. Pat is tactically very astute and even though he’s still pretty young, he’s got a lot of experience.

Meyer after the England test

Meanwhile Lambie, still only 24 but playing his 38th international, guided the Springboks around Twickenham with the assurance of a test veteran.

In total, he kicked 16 points, including the match-clinching drop-goal that sealed South Africa's victory four minutes from time by putting them two scores ahead.

"Pat's always played well for us end of year, specifically in this weather," explained Meyer ahead of next week's test against Italy in Padova.

"He's a very level-headed guy and took the right options, especially the drop-goal. It was the right type of game for him and he showed he's a match-winner."