Old versus the new
The flyhalf battle between Pat Lambie and Willem de Waal in this weekend’s Currie Cup Final in Durban represents two vastly contrasting styles, writes rugby365 columnist Grant Ball.
De Waal is a proven match-winner at domestic level, helping the Cheetahs to Currie Cup titles in 2007, 2006 (which they shared with the Bulls) and 2005, and although his low-risk game is effective in play-offs, he represents the past in South African rugby. De Waal, 32, will leave for Italy next year, and Saturday’s match in Durban possibly represents the last time he could claim domestic silverware.
Lambie, conversely, is new to the flyhalf position in senior rugby, having started the Sharks’ campaign at fullback and then inside centre. At just 20, he is 12 years De Waal’s junior, but the style of rugby he’s played this year has seen him (and the Lions’ Elton Jantjies) labelled as the future of South African flyhalf play.
While the Sharks and WP have adopted similar mindsets in trying to retain as much possession as possible under the new law interpretations, the way the pair of flyhalves have played is vastly different.
De Waal has been exposed at times as his taking of the ball deep has negatively affected his outside backs (one example being against the Lions at Ellis Park). With Jean de Villiers and Juan de Jongh back, De Waal’s limitations have been annulled to an extent, but the way Lambie (and Jantjies for the Lions) have attacked the gainline has been crucial to the Sharks’ momentum-based game.
Lambie’s ability to take the ball flat has ensured his side often wins the battle of the collisions. It’s also no coincidence that the two sides who have been adjudged to play the most similar style to the All Blacks, have Kiwi coaches who were willing to play flyhalves who aggressively attack the advantage line in Lambie and Jantjies.
The effect it has on their sides has been patent. Sharks coach John Plumtree flirted with the idea of playing André Pretorius at No.10 for the play-offs, but the way that hindered the Sharks’ game was evident when they played WP at Newlands. Pretorius was subbed after 48 minutes and the contest changed when Lambie returned to flyhalf.
In the last three matches De Waal and Lambie have played against big sides, statistics show how different their styles have been. In the Sharks’ semi against the Bulls – where they dominated possession for 70 minutes – and in their matches against the Cheetahs at Absa Stadium and Lions at Ellis Park, Lambie hasn’t become negative. In those 240 minutes, Lambie has kicked just 22 times. He’s also had 19 ball carries, emphasising how despite his small frame, he has the physicality to take on defenders, and on many occasions off-load (such as Adi Jacobs’ try at Newlands).
Conversely, in WP’s semi against the Cheetahs and their win over the Sharks and loss to the Bulls at Loftus, De Waal kicked much more (41 times in three games). As he takes the ball so deep, De Waal had only six ball carries, which in most cases wasn’t in an attacking sense to get over the gainline but rather just to retain possession under pressure.
The Sharks’ ability to hold onto the ball against the Bulls saw them through to the final, and although playing for territory will be crucial this Saturday, De Waal and co. can’t gift possession to the Sharks as they may not get it back for extended periods.
While De Waal’s attacking deficiencies have been highlighted, one important aspect of finals is goalkicking. Throughout the tournament he’s been superior to Lambie: In all televised games this year De Waal has a 85.1% success rate. Lambie’s sits at 69.2%.
* Grant Ball writes for www.rugbyxv.co.za
