Versatile Lambie not being fussy; Rugby 365

Pat Lambie says that he does not mind whether he plays at flyhalf or fullback for the Springboks, as long as he gets some gametime. The 24-year-old utility back already has 42 Test caps to his name, but having only recently recovered from a neck injury his role for the Springboks in the Rugby Championship this year has been as a replacement coming off the bench against the Wallabies and the All Blacks. Having slotted in at flyhalf during the final stages of the defeat to Australia in Brisbane, he was brought on at fullback in the loss to New Zealand which highlights the fact that coach Heyneke Meyer is comfortable with him in both positions. Although he has played primarily as a flyhalf for the Sharks and has also impressed in that position for the Springboks on a few European year-end tours, Lambie is no stranger to fullback having played there at the last World Cup in New Zealand and under Meyer. With Handre Pollard in doubt this weekend due to concussion Lambie is seen as the obvious choice by many including this writer to take over at flyhalf. However, there is the possibility that Morne Steyn will be given an opportunity to show what he can offer at pivot, which could see Lambie start at fullback ahead of Willie le Roux. Lambie said that he feels that he has something to offer in both positions and will take a starting position wherever he can get it. "I would be very happy playing either position, I have played in both before. At this stage I haven't played all that much in the last few months so any bit of gametime that I can get right now would be great for me. "If it is at fullback or flyhalf it doesn't really bother me at all. We will have to wait and see. "I know that the coach did have plans to try and give as many players an opportunity and gametime over these five Tests before the World Cup," he said. Although he is happy to play in either position, Lambie admitted that playing at fullback would take some adjustment as he has not played there regularly in recent times. "There are a few adjustments that will need to be made, the coaches will help with that though. Obviously positional play and then your roles are slightly different on attack and defence. Those are adjustments but I will feel quite comfortable if I have to make those," he said. He added that having featured off the bench in two Tests since returning from injury he is now feeling confident and hungry to get some gametime before the World Cup. "I had to deal with a few horrible thoughts in the first week getting back on the field but I feel like I have broken the shackles now. My neck feels great and I am not even thinking about it anymore. "I have learned in rugby that nothing is ever a guarantee or a certainty, a lot can change in a short period of time," he said. Whether he plays at flyhalf or fullback, Lambie must surely be given the chance to start in front of his home crowd in Durban this weekend to get some crucial gametime under his belt. While his versatility will be valuable for the Springboks heading to the World Cup, it would be a shame to see him forced to adjust to a position that he has not played in for some time just to give the likes of Steyn a chance to stake his World Cup claim. Although Lambie is able to play fullback, when given the choice he prefers flyhalf which is where he has opted to play for the Sharks and it would be a pity if he was denied the chance to show what he can offer as playmaker before the World Cup. By Michael de Vries, in Durban