There is a lot of emotion around about this topic and in a way I do agree with much of what is being said. I have always thought that Morne was one of the best goal kickers ever in international rugby and he should get credit for that. He kicked us to victory numerous times.
On the other hand he does not really serve as a good linkage with his backline and is playing according to instruction only - especially insofar as stratetgic kicking is concerned. Because he does not have enough Ball Sense - he is limited as a flyhalf.
Problem is his kicking game thus far this year - both in Super 15 and in the recent three tests - have gone away. It is probably psycological. Try as he might - I am sure he is not missing kicks deliberately - the guy is really trying hard without success.
If he continues to be unsuccessful in kicking - is he really good enough in the Bok team? The answer is probably no and I think we must accept that. In my opinion he therefore has to go. A break in international rugby and playing on lower level in the CC could perhaps solve his kicking vows and bring him back to form insofar as his only real strong element is concerned.
The question is - who should replace him to play according to instruction by his coaches. I myself think they allow him no room to deviate and I also think that our backline coaching is not up to standard in any event. This problem is also going to affect any replacement player as well.
The person punted to take over is Goosen - but the guy will be out of rugby and returning to the game only in September this year - that is too late for him to contribute to the Four Nations tournament. There are three options mentioned by virtually everyone around. Most people think that Lambie will be the answer - with some supporting Jantjies all out and a number mentioned Grant as well. Lets analyse the thre players and see what comes up.
The only form really to be used isthe Super 15 games played by the three. Jantjies is playing for a really bad outfit and thus placed at a disadvantage. I watched most of the Super 15 games - some of them repeatedly. In my opinion the ratings I would give the three players are as follows:-
Lambie - 7
Grant - 7
Jantjies - 6.
Now lets anylize the ratings. Lambie played most of the Super 15 games at flyhalf. He has had a good season in that position and the backline play of the Sharks was good - especially after the Sharks brought in Jordaan at 13 and moved Pietersen to his natural position as a wing. The latter got more opportunities through the passing game of Lambie and scored some good tries. His goal kicking and strategic kciking was very good. Of all three players mentioned I believe that Lambie had the best instincts insofar as all-round flyhalf play is concerned. One problem is that he has been used by Meyer as a full back and he only played in two matches - the first one coming from off the bench and the second one only for half the game as a result of injury. That leaves all of us in a quandary as to where he should in fact be utilized on international level. Be it as it may - he could be a good choice as a replacement for Steyn until such time as Goosen resumes play.
The second player to be considered is Peter Grant. He played on international level already and is an experienced flyhalf. This year he had a very good record in Super 15 - but he is blamed by many as being responsible for the fact that the Stormers back line is not functioning well and did not score enough tries. That is a bit unfair - since there are indeed weakness outside of him. I myself think that the problem is De Jongh - who has shown nothing on attack this year at 13 - thus neutraling his wings in the process. The latters defence was excellent. He never had one line break and when he tried often lost the ball through handing it to the opposition. Grant himself had a good kicking season - both at goal and strategically. He scored tries himself and his defence was good. There would really be no problem in getting him in the team.
Jantjies is the third player to be considered. The Super 15 games have shown that he could be brilliant in some cases and anything but in others in the same games His kicking game has been good - but there are some question marks around his decisiontaking and serious qualms about his defence.. There is uncertainty whether he could make the step up from Super 15 to international level. It will be a gamble to play him - with no international expereience - against the stronger international teams. They will make his life extremely difficult - attacking in the channel to exploit any defensive problems there may be. This is what happened in Super 15 and there have been soime problems in the relevant regard. I would never dream of recommending him for inclusion against the Wallabies and the All Blacks - but has suggested that he should be given a chance to play against the Argentinians to find out how he would react on international level. Basically exposure on international level in the wrong games could ruin his playing career and that would be unfair in his case.
The two options available to Meyer in the event of further failure by Steyn would in the first instance be either Lambie or Grant. Personally i think at this stage the choice should be Grant - the more expereienced of the two.
