Meyer's view on Steyn

I read the statement and was left a very worried person.    He said that Meyer has three weeks of Super Rugby to correct his kicking vows.    The question is what next?

Meyer has had seven games in a row where his kicking failed him and it costed the Bulls dearly.   The Bulls lostt hree games in a row and barely managed to win against the Rebels and the Waratahs - largly because of poor kciking on his part - not only at goal, but also strategic kicking.    That was followed by three tests with a success rate of 55% - not very encouiraging.

What happens if the kicking saga is not resolved and he keeps on missing the boat?    According to Meyer we needs him in the four nations - so he has nobody else in mind.   That really is a problem.

When will Goosen be back from injury?   We are at a stage where we are really desperate for an acceptable flyhalf  and Morne without his goal kicking ability is NOT the answer.    Otherwise we should go for Lambie at flyhalf as an interim measure - since there are nagging doubts about Jantjies.

Mike,  Morne may be like Goosen....the golfer. Who from an ice man that won the US Open on greens that were impossible for all other players.....ended up with a belly putter. Once you lose the ice in your veins, do you ever get it back? I don't know, but I do know if he doesn't, he wont be around. His whole playing image is built around his boot.

As for alternatives.....forget Goosen, he is done for this year, just like Coenie. Forget Jantjies he has hardly led the Lions to victory, and unlike some, I think his fingerprints are all over that string of losses.

Lambie is the man. A smart, balanced player, who defends and attacks well. But oops, his early test kicking was a disaster. Thankfully he never needed to continue, because Morne was there and his general game flourished. Even his kicking has vastly improved at S15 level. But will that hold up in the pressure cooker of a NZ test. I'm not sure.

Best case is we don't have to find out, and Morne gets his mojo back. If not, did somebody say Peter?

I would rather play Lambie or Grant than an out of form Morne.   When coming back from Australia in 2008 on the same plane with the Springboks,  I had a short chat with Grant.   If ever there was a gentleman - he is one.   Yes - I believe he is experienced enough and could fill the gap.   I do not think Jamtjies is the answer - nobody seems to know what will happen if he is put under pressure.   To my mind totally unpredictable - he may succeed or he may not.   I would put him o0n the bench and bring him on when we are well in front and see what happens - but in a starting line up - definitely not.

 Clevermike  - agree on Grant or Lambie. I mean, why not? Grants kicking is currently on form. We will get eaten alive in 4N's with our current game plan without a kicker that is 85-90%. For the sake of his game plan Meyer needs to make a change.

Its not like with Smit where you were able to put up with a downgrade at the position in exchange for the leadership he brought. 

 Disagree with Meyer and agree with clevermike comments.

No team can afford to squander scoring opportunities in Test rugby.

Kicking penalties and conversions with the odd drop goal assist greatly in winning matches, just look at the All Blacks.

Carter at #10 has won more matches for them with his kicking than any other player in history.

Totsiens(?)  Morne.

 At least Meyer can see that Morne is not playing well. He has got 3 games to sort this out, which is unlikely given the whole year he has been out of form for the Bulls in kicking. The game to Aukland was lost at Loftus due to his woeful kicking.

Lambie has to take over- perhaps he would have been shifted during the game from fullback if he was not injured. 

Meyer even said that the reason he did not substitute Morne- was because Earl Jantjies was on the bench.

Ideally Goosen could have come on and cemented his place, if he was not injured and made 10 his spot.

Lambie and Ruan Pienaar should be playing as a combination in the 4 Nations. Ideally the english test could have been the chance to prepare for this

On that note- the Sharks need to get Pienaar back.

A decision making axis for the sharks of -

9- Pienaar

10- Lambie

12- Frans Steyn-

This will match any team in the super15. 

Also some excellant outside backs

13. Jordaan

14- JP

11- Mvovo

Meyer explained that he opted not to replace Steyn with Elton Jantjies in Saturday’s Test due to the Lions youngster’s inexperience. Thats rubbish, i think its wrong to rate a player based on experience. Look at all the inexperience test players that get to on to play  Etzabeth,Kruger, Daniel... He still needs to explain why  Kolisi was not selected.

Theres no hope for the future.

Hey Clevermike, just on your opening post, I very much doubt two things about Meyer, firstly, that he has three weeks to correct his kicking game, I suspect his competative kicking days are over. Secondly, his kicking for the Bulls could not have cost them dearly because, and you may have to verify my facts here, MORN'E STEYN kicks for the Bulls. LOL!!!!!