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Lambie to shine on big stage?

Pieter Jordaan

Johannesburg – Sharks coach John Plumtree is not at all concerned about the ability of rookie flyhalf Patrick Lambie to handle the pressure of Saturday’s Currie Cup final.

Patrick Lambie, who celebrated his 20th birthday the day after the Sharks’ 16-12 semifinal win over the Blue Bulls, is set to become the youngest flyhalf after Derick Hougaard (Blue Bulls, 2002) to play in a Currie Cup final.

Plumtree is confident that Lambie is the kind of player that can express himself on the big stage when the Sharks and Western Province clash.

“He has matured a lot throughout the season. It was necessary for him to step up and do a job in the semifinal (against the Bulls). And he did that. Now he has to do it again,” said Plumtree.

Lambie may be 12 years younger than direct WP opponent Willem de Waal, but history shows that WP will be making a mistake to underestimate him.

Hougaard was only 19 when he set a new record of 26 points in a final against the Lions.

“We have experienced players both sides of Patrick. Andries Strauss (inside centre) is excellent as far as leadership is concerned and Charl McLeod (scrumhalf) is in good form. I’m not worried about Patrick,” said Plumtree.

Lambie kept a cool head in the semifinal, even if the Bulls tried to unnerve him throughout. He came into contact with Bakkies Botha on a few occasions.

However, he still took a high ball from Morné Steyn on his own goal-line late in the game and underlined with that how good  his concentration is.

Plumtree believes the Sharks have a good mix of youth and experience, with the latter an incredibly important ingredient in a final.

“Stefan Terblanche is an experienced leader and a number of guys like Bismarck and Jannie du Plessis, Keegan Daniel and Ryan Kankowski are players who have matured over the last few years. Our scrumhalf and flyhalf are relatively inexperienced players, but with Andries and Odwa (Ndungane) there I think we have a good balance. Youth is a good thing,” said the coach.

Ndungane will take over from the injured JP Pietersen on the right wing.

Plumtree said he expected a higher intensity than in the semifinal as more is at stake.

“But our semifinal was also a very intense match, so I think we are hardened thanks to that.”
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