Rugby World Cup 2011
Steyn: RWC balls no excuse
2011-10-04 08:01
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Morne Steyn (File)
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Wellington - South Africa's opponents may have breathed a sigh of relief when the injured Frans Steyn left the Rugby World Cup and took his prodigious goal-kicking talent with him.
But the Springboks' prolific points-scorer, Morne Steyn, says they shouldn't relax too soon as he is prepared to take the long-range kicks.
"I'm not in Frans' range but with the place kicks maybe some of the long ones will come to me now," Steyn said. "I'd like a go at some of those long ones, but Frans has taken it to another level. From our own 10-metre line, I think that's a bit out of my range. But if the weather holds up maybe I can take it with the wind from my own 10 metres."
Frans Steyn injured his shoulder in the 13-5 victory over Samoa in the pool stage, supposedly removing the threat that any offence within 60 metres of the posts might be punished with a thundering penalty kick.
South Africa meet Australia in the quarter-finals on Sunday in Wellington and is boosted by Morne Steyn's success rate at the tournament being typically excellent when many other kickers, notably Jonny Wilkinson, have struggled.
Some have blamed the new Gilbert balls in use and tricky weather conditions, but Steyn said the balls at least cannot be blamed.
"For me, (the balls are) the same," he said. "I think before the tournament the guys from Gilbert came to us and showed us the ball, and it's the same ball as Super Rugby with different markings.
"For me, I don't think there's a big difference in the ball. I think when there's a lot going on out on the field with the kicking you're always looking for something to blame. But for me, I think the ball is the same. You can't blame the ball."
Steyn said the weather is a different matter, and that the Wellington Regional Stadium provides a particular challenge for kickers.
"I think Wellington is the hardest place for the kicker to come and play," he said. "It's got this strange wind that's coming in there and swirls, so hopefully the weather on Sunday will be fine for us so it will be better.
"They have some bad weather here, so I think that's why it's not an easy stadium to kick in. So for me it's not always nice to play here. But like I said on Sunday, maybe the weather will hold up and it will be easier for us."