Steyn shedding the kicking mentality

 

The youngest World Cup winner burst onto the scene as a mercurial wing or fullback with a booming boot who could slot both drop goals and shots off the tee from 60 plus metres away.

 

However, as his career has progressed Steyn shifted both his position, towards flyhalf and centre, and his playing style with South African coaching being geared around the tactical kick.

 

Steyn, who has played his rugby between South Africa and France, had his first season in Japan in 2014 and has said that the style in the far-east is much more ball in hand and attack orientated.

 

This has been an eye opener for the Sharks centre who has said he is still in the process of adapting his game away from a kicking mentality to a ball in hand, attacking one.

 

"For me personally, I was so used to being in a kicking-orientated game plan for the last seven or eight years of my life," Steyn told the Media in Durban.

 

"I struggled when I got to Japan, and I think I am still not 100 percent in the attacking mindset that they want me to be in. 

"But I am getting there.

 

"I realise it is going to take more than one week to get out of the mentality that I had from the coaching I received over the last seven or so years.

 

"I enjoyed the attacking brand of rugby, it was good for me, I enjoyed playing with the ball and hopefully I can do that here [at the Sharks], if I get the opportunity."

 

Another noticeable positive for Steyn coming back from Japan is what it has done for his body.

 

Often criticised for gaining too much weight over the years, he has come back looking trim and lean, but it has also helped his knees which were an issue for the playmaker last year.

 

"My knees are feeling good," Steyn added.

 

"I have had no swelling on my knee for five months now. 

 

"That was one of the main reasons why I went to Japan, to try and get my body into a good state again.

 

"This competition is not a joke, this is serious stuff."

 

Steyn was thrust straight back into the Sharks setup last weekend at inside centre against the Stormers with many feeling that is his most settled position.

 

However, the Sharks man admits that he is not 100 percent sure where his best position is.

 

I don't know if inside centre is my most settled position, with all the pain and aches I think i should move to fullback one of these days!" he quipped.

 

"The last couple of years I have been playing where I am needed, I learnt the lesson that if you are forced to play a position you will always come off second best. 

 

"I just keep my mouth shut and try and play good, competitive rugby in any position."