Lambie-Why all the hype?

I have been saying it all along, Lambie is overrated! And if anything, he is now playing even more like a run of the mill flyhalf than he did in the past. Goosen has X Factor, all Lambie has is plenty of average. On another thread Saffex mentioned that the Sharks backline problems did not lie with F Steyn, but with Lambie. I have to agree with that point. Please don't get me wrong, I also think F Steyn has been a long way from his best, but that is another discussion. For a few years now people have being carrying on about Lambie, but I am just not seeing why? Based on current form, the two Flyhalves that deserve a bok call up are Goosen and M Steyn. Yes M Steyn is boring, but his tactical kicking is very good, and he seems to have his sights in again with regards to kicking at goal. In tight tests, there is still a place for a player like him. Goosen is the future with all the elements that make a complete flyhalf, and with just enough X-fatcor to make him dangerous. Between them they cover all the bases for a starting flyhalf and a replacement. Who starts and who replaces will depend on the opposition.

What hype are you talking about?

I think this word "hype" is one of the most misused words when it comes to rugby. I can understand it being used for some unknown player that most people have never heard being talked up by a small minority, but Patrick Lambie is not some unknown factor, he's the Springbok flyhalf incumbent for goodness sake!

Moving on, apart from the fact that Lambie is the best place kicker in the country, I personally think he's trying very hard to prove (perhaps under instruction) that he can play the kind of one-dimensional kicking game that is sadly expected of a Springbok flyhalf . . . but if you don't think he has attacking flair or "X-fatcor" (sic) then I question how many games you've watched involving him.

Oh and I know "X-Fatcor" just a typo but it's a funny one worth noting . . . especially if you're talking about props or Piri Weepu!

I suppose the reason for much of the talk of Lambie was that Steyn was so bad last year and Goosen being off with an injury - we really were in trouble at flyhalf.   Jantjies was Jantjies and not Springbok material.   That caused some major problems for the selectors and they ultimately selected lambie.

I found him to be very solid in defence and his kicking is very accurate - but the zip has gone out of his play.  The reason for that could be that he is more influenced by Meyer's decision on his performance than by the needs of the team.   Meyer wants a certain playing style from his flyhalfs and attacking backline play is not in his view of any conseequence.   He wants strategic kicking and was moaning about Lambie's kicking abilitiies before he was selected for the EOYT.   In the first two tests he apparently was told exactly what he had to do - and in the third game given permission to play his "natural game".   That in itself was dangerous and he did not really come up with something special.

I have seen Lambie play for three years now and what he is doing now is not the Lambie I used to see.   I would not be at all surprised to see him play differently in future - since I am sure Plumtree is not happy7 about what he produces at pesent.   However, I would not form an early opinion just yet and woud like to see how he progresses this week.

As to Steyn - his goalkicking has improved and it was evident that in the game against the Blues in particular the idea was not to kick the ball away.   It was obvious that Morne was good in feeding the backline - but not being at Loftus he missed two kicks at goal.    Again - there was serious improvement in his performances thus far this year - the question remains - will be continues in present vein.   Thre is a long way to go before any definitive opion on the issue will be possible.

It is to my mind to early to make definitive indications as to whom I would support for selection at flyhalf this year      

 Bluebok, must say in this situation, its hard to disagree with what Rooinek says. Give Lambie time. One must remember that this is not Lambie's first year in the 10 jersey. He has played a lot for the Sharks in the 10 Jersey and has done a phenomenal job to date. I reckon he is trying so hard not to let Meyer down that he is forgetting to be "Pat Lambie" incase its not what the Boks want. Look for him to come into his own again in the next few games because I reckon that Plumtree and co realise that this current brand of rugby the Sharks are playing is not going to end well. 

Also, another thing worth noting is Sharks have taken a massive knock with the loss of Bizzy and Alberts and now Deysel. They are our go forward boys and they get us front foot ball. Lambie has had to play behind a very ordinary pack thus far and we are still 3 and 0. Thats not bad considering the facts. Lambie has had to play it like it is and he is doing the best he can to get us across the line. When we get those big boys back, I expect him to get much better ball and show his true worth. Bulls and Cheetahs forwards are dominating right now and it must be awesome to be Goosen or Steyn but Lambie is notching up wins with a much less dominant pack.

Frankly Catrikilis looked as good as Lambie last weekend.....perhaps better. And I would dispute Bok incumbency, if Goosen never got hurt in the AB game, he would probably be the Bok incumbent. Right now there is no incumbent, just 4 test calibre flyhalves....Lambie, Goosen, Morne and yes, Catrikilis. 

I think Morne isn't over his kicking yips, which can only be tested away in really tough games. He wobbled for the first time last weekend. And Catrikilis, a real rugger player, wont get the chances he deserves.

That leaves two of the best young flyhalves in the game. And so far the evidence still supports Lambie....he has had three solid games. Goosen, meantime, has been nervy through much of proceedings. And while much is made of his game last week....it wasn't a running bonanza. He ran for 16 metres in 5 carries....Lambie ran for 19 metres in 7 carries. And Lambie got the only offload.

My own guess is that Lambie will keep the starting spot, with his steadier nerve and superior defence.

 The flyhalf spot is Lambie's to lose. He has yet to put a foot wrong. Boring, maybe - but he's perfect for the Bok setup and gameplan. First criteria of the Bok flyhalf based on current game plan has to be goal kicking and second tactical kicking. Lambie's youth and his participation in the EOY tour last year gives him the edge over M Steyn. Goosen to come off the bench in the current Bok setup.

Catrakilis is a demon tackler for a flyhalf - so impressed with him last weekend.  Has the aggression of Butch James but the head to go with it and he seems to be a very good goal kicker although Lambie is the more polished of the two at this point. 

We are exactly on the same page Matey....it's a Mehrtens/ Spencer type situation and very exciting for Bok rugby.

The Boks are particularly weak at fly half at the moment and whilst Lambie hasn't developed as quickly as expected, he's the best of a bad lot at this stage!

So I'm curious moolaa, who do you rate as better than Lambie and Goosen at their respective ages in world rugby?

I am always worried about Morne Steyn - he did well in the first three rounds of the Supr 15 and this morning - when his team was under pressure - he really did not function all that well.  It brought back my doubts about him in earnest.  His goalkicking was better than last year - but for the rest he looked average to poor.   Carter had a very good game today and really was a key to the huge win by the Crusaders - but the Bulls backline was shown up badly.