Springbok coach Allister Coetzee has picked a rookie scrumhalf in Rudy Paige, who’ll earn his first start, a veteran No 10 in Morne Steyn, and a just-returned-from-concussion fullback, who’s out of position, in Pat Lambie for tomorrow’s Rugby Championship Test against Australia at Loftus. They’re significant changes in a desperate Bok side looking to end a three-match losing streak. Here rugby writer Jacques van der Westhuyzen responds to Coetzee’s reasons behind making the changes
Lambie
“With 51 caps Pat has a lot of experience and he’s the right man for the plan we have in place for this weekend,” said the Bok boss yesterday. “Pat’s oozing confidence, he brings leadership qualities to the team and he has the know-how and understanding of what we want to achieve. It’s not a gamble picking him at all.”
The thing is Lambie has played less than 30 minutes of rugby, in the Currie Cup two weeks ago, and that after sitting on the sidelines for three months with a concussion. Also, how confident will the Sharks man be under the high ball knowing the last time he jumped up into the air he was knocked out for nearly 100 days?
“What is important in backline play is communication and Pat will bring that to the backs. There will be sound communication and great organisation ... and that’s key for us,” said Coetzee. “Pat’s positional play is also always solid, and he’s solid under the high ball, too ... an area that we haven’t been too good at lately.”
Verdict: Lambie does have a calming effect on those around him and he does have experience, but it’s a big ask for him to help ‘save’ the Boks. His selection is also harsh on Johan Goosen, because he has been one of the better players in the Bok back division this season. Is Lambie’s future at 15? He’d like to think not.
Paige and Steyn
“They’re familiar with Loftus Versfeld’s conditions and this is a great opportunity for them both,” said Coetzee.
“If you consider winning teams usually win the territory battle ... if you don’t dominate that part of the game you’re not going to get set-pieces in the opposition's half of the field and you’re not going to be able to build scoreboard pressure.
“The message to them is not just to kick and chase ... just look at how we’ve attacked from the line-outs so far, it’s been good and impressive, so we want to do the same, but just more in the opposition’s half ... that would be more effective to build scoreboard pressure.”
Coetzee also praised both Paige’s and Steyn’s organisational skills, and added he feels a lot more at ease and calm knowing the two players will be at nine and 10 this weekend.
“I feel more relaxed (with this more experienced team). It’s like in life, if you take your child to a doctor who has 10 000 hours behind him, you’re not going to question him, because he’s made the mistakes already and come through it; that’s how I feel ...”
Verdict: Paige most certainly deserves an opportunity, while Steyn is the so-called ‘banker’ - you more or less know what you’re going to get. And, right now, that’s not a bad thing. Of course, there will be those who’ll feel a dry, Highveld Loftus field are exactly the conditions in which Faf de Klerk and Elton Jantjies would thrive. Here’s hoping Paige and Steyn don’t kick everything away.
De Klerk and Jantjies
“They’re still very much a part of the system going forward,” said Coetzee. “Yes, they’ve got things to work on and, yes, they’ll improve those things, but we have a plan on the table for this week.
“We must remember making mistakes (at Test level) is part of growing up in Test rugby ... it’s also about gaining experience and learning, so that when you get another opportunity you’ll have improved.
“I’m a guy who believes in second chances, and I’m sure they will learn from this ... it’s not that all of a sudden they’ve become bad players, most certainly not. On the contrary, they might be available to play against New Zealand (next week).”
Teams
Boks STARTING XV: Pat Lambie, Bryan Habana, Jesse Kriel, Juan de Jongh, Francois Hougaard, Morne Steyn, Rudy Paige, Warren Whiteley, Oupa Mohoje, Francois Louw, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Adriaan Strauss (capt), Tendai Mtawarira; Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff, Julian Redelinghuys, Lood de Jager, Willem Alberts, Jaco Kriel, Lionel Mapoe, Willie le Roux
Australia STARTING XV: Israel Folau, Dane Haylett-Petty, Samu Kerevi, Bernard Foley, Reece Hodge, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Sean McMahon, Michael Hooper, Dean Mumm, Rob Simmons, Adam Coleman, Sekope Kepu, Stephen Moore (capt), Scott Sio; Replacements: James Hanson, James Slipper, Tom Robertson, Kane Douglas, Scott Fardy, Lopeti Timani, Nick Phipps, Tevita Kuridrani, Sefa Naivalu
The Star