Lions in SA
Steyn: I will even play lock
2009-06-02 22:09
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Frans Steyn uncertain (Gallo)
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JJ Harmse Johannesburg – There is still no clarity about who will man the fort for the Springboks against the British and Irish Lions on June 20.
And Bok coach, Peter de Villiers, has been keeping mum and was not prepared to shed any light on the matter on Tuesday.
He also did not want to say much about the role Frans Steyn would play in the first Test in Durban. Steyn himself, who has been earmarked by several experts for the fullback position, does not know where the Bok coach will use him.
JP Pietersen, Jaque Fourie, Earl Rose, Odwa Ndungane and Ruan Pienaar are other candidates who have successfully played fullback.
De Villiers hinted that Morné Steyn could be considered for the fullback position when he announced his team on Monday, but again chose not to elaborate.
"I have time on my side. There is enough time left to decide about that", was all that the coach would commit to.
Rightly so, but Bok supporters will be greatly reassured once De Villiers openly puts his trust in a specific player.
Even though uncertainty surrounds Steyn, the versatile Sharks player, is just happy to be apart of the Bok set up.
"I am just really happy to be part of the group. I will even play lock if I have to and really don’t mind where I play."
But Steyn admitted that his fullback game was a bit rusty. "I think I remember playing there once or twice early last year for the Sharks in the Super14. So I don’t really have an idea how the rules would allow for that."
The 22-year-old has played in 27 Tests since making his debut in 2006 against Ireland, but De Villiers used him primarily as a substitute in 2008. Against Italy, he played flyhalf and in the first Three Nations matches, he played outside centre. Steyn was a substitute eight times.
"I do what is best for the team. I wanted to play centre this year at the Sharks, but then Ruan was injured and I had to play flyhalf," explained Steyn.
He admitted that it didn’t go as well as he had hoped.
“Yes, the supporters were rather critical of me. It was difficult to suddenly have to play there again. People expect certain things of me, but I had a certain role with the Sharks. I had to take the ball a lot and run with it. The spectators didn’t always understand that."