I guess if I want to stand out as a rugger blogger I need to be controversial once and a while, but I assure you the opinion I’m about to express is genuine.
I’m not yet 100% convinced that Morne Steyn is a top-notch out-half.
How could I possibly say that when he’s just after breaking the TriNations record for individual points scoring with all thirty-one points in a virtual demolition of the All Blacks?
Well let’s have a look at how he amassed those points in Durban, shall we?
This was an inexplicable performance from the All Blacks. MSteyn (need the initial to distinguish from Francois) may have been new to the international stage, but surely New Zealanders would have been familiar with his kicking skills after he nailed eight goal kicks in the Super14 final? He was up against Stephen Donald that day as well!
And particularly with a finicky-yet-consistent ref like Nigel “Stay on your FEET!!!” Owens holding the whistle, they had to know that any kind of transgression at the breakdown was going to be punished when in his kicking range.
So what I’m trying to say is, although of course he had to use his considerable talents with the boot to score the points, the chances were handed to him on a plate by his opposition.
And as for his try, well that was even easier. For once Spies didn’t try to crash through the defence and instead laid on a perfect pass to his No10 who literally had to fall over the line.
There were a couple of occasions in open play that MSteyn looked a bit average. Cross-field kicking wasn’t exactly perfect, and he was also found wanting once or twice in the tackling department.
You could almost say he reminded me of a young Ronan O’Gara. How’s THAT for controversial???
We need to see how the Blue Bulls outhalf fares against a team which has both discipline in the forwards and a backline with the confidence to go for linebreaks.
Whatever way it turns out, with the Wallabies waiting in the wings and Graham Henry/ the Kiwi press certain to light a fire under their squad, it makes this a fascinating TriNations series and I can’t wait for the next instalment in Cape Town on Saturday!!!
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