Vodacom Super 14

Record not on Steyn's mind

2010-03-11 20:53
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Morne Steyn (Gallo Images)

Pretoria - Springbok flyhalf Morné Steyn may be riding the crest of an unbelievable wave of form in the Vodacom Super 14 at the moment, but ask him about it and he has just one answer: Its time to work harder.

Steyn has scored 77 points in this year’s competition in just three games and on Saturday could well equal the tournament record for the fastest century in the competition – set in 1997 by Gavin Lawless for the Sharks – when his Vodacom Bulls side face the Highlanders at Loftus Versfeld.

But for the flyhalf who arrived at Loftus Versfeld several years ago from Bloemfontein without a recognised kicking game, he has catapulted himself to the number one spot in the world in terms of flyhalves, with his form even eclipsing All Black pivot Daniel Carter at the moment.

Steyn had a magnificent season last year, kicking the winning penalty on his home ground to win the Lions series and was a key part of the side that won the Tri Nations shortly afterwards.

Now with the Bulls as defending champions, he has started off in sublime form, but wants to know nothing of possible records this weekend.

“I really don’t think I want to put something like that in my head before a game, but if it goes well, then it will hopefully go well. I just want to help the team build an innings and get the victory,” Steyn told Supersport.com

In fact, all he is concentrating on at the moment is to work to stay at the same level. Now that things are going well, as Steyn believes, it is time to ensure the hard work continues. For a player who has had to work to get to the top, that work doesn’t automatically stop now that he is riding the crest of the wave.

“This year’s form - It is basically all the hard work that I’ve been putting in with my kicking coach Vlok Cilliers. A lot of players, when they get to international level tend to take it a bit easier and to relax. To me that is when you need to work a lot harder to stay there, because there is always someone waiting to take your place in the team.

“To me I’ve got to work a lot harder to stay there and that is why I’ve been putting the hard work in with Vlok. It’s important to put in a lot to stay at this level of play.”

Against the Highlanders on Saturday the Bulls will again start as favourites, especially as they are the only unbeaten side left in the competition and the Highlanders lost their captain Jimmy Cowan to injury as well as suspended two players for team disciplinary matters this week.

But Steyn is a cautious fellow, and warns against expecting a similar scoreline to the 33-0 that the Stormers put over the Highlanders last week.

“The public saw the Stormers beat them with 30 points, and they expect us to win now with 50 points, but it certainly won’t be that easy for us this weekend they are a good team. They will definitely come out harder against us and look to get their campaign back on track,” Steyn adds.

“They are a physical team and they have some deadly backs, so we will need to be at our best.”

 

Your Comments

Whitey3/13/2010 6:43 AM
@Joe what a brain-dead comment
Hardiblu3/12/2010 4:54 PM
@Joe - Your comparison indicates one of 2 things here, either you don’t actually watch rugby, so think they may be referring to Francois at fly half, or....you rate shyt very highly. Steyn has more than proved that he fully capable of scoring tries and creating tries. Potgieters try is a very strong contender for try of the tournament - a try set up in it’s entirety by Steyn, but you didn’t see that did you.
like nooit hey3/12/2010 4:25 PM
To those on the 'carter is in a class of his own' trip i couldn't disagree more. Any of you remember last year's trinations? Carter was nowhere. I'm a province supporter but Steyn is the shizzel, no doubt and no comparison. I have no doubt that Carter will reach form soon enough but Steyn has been way more consistent over the last year and a bit, kicking, running and passing. Go stormers!!
Pongo3/12/2010 4:00 PM
On current form - Steyn is tops - lets see what the bok season holds though! when its green and gold vs the all blacks again..then we will see - but at this stage no one can argue that the 'new' darling of loftus is sublime! all in all though - SA rugby is looking good!
Storem loop3/12/2010 2:47 PM
Morney should come play for province, then he will realy become a class player.
JOE3/12/2010 2:13 PM
To compare Steyn with Carter is like comparing gold with shyte ...Carter is in s league Steyn can only dream to be.Steyn can kick that is about all.
BOKKE BO!!!3/12/2010 9:28 AM
Although I think Steyn is in great form and the most solid flyhalf in the world, there is still a lot of work to be done before comparing him to Carter. Although in his last game he did show some Carter flair with that "stoute" kick for Potgieter! Give him time, I like the way he is playing and developing, but if I had a choice at this very moment, I would rather select Carter than Steyn in my team. Only because of Carter's vision for an oppertunity. Steyn is our BOYTJIE, give him 2 years! Oh, and the STORMERS and Bulls are showing that SA teams are not intimidated by NZ and AUS anymore! Good for the BOKKE!!!!
dronkie3/12/2010 9:19 AM
@b-b-bok - I agree with ur statement: "on par with Carter on Current form" cause Carter is not on TOP form yet. Question: Why is NZ always producing incredible flyhalves and SA is struggling: Look at Carter, Spencer, Tony Brown, Merthens(forgive the spelling) vs. Henry Haniball(i suck at spelling) and now Morne
Nikki3/12/2010 8:44 AM
WHAT A BOYKIE!!!!!
@Bulawayo 3/12/2010 8:19 AM
On par with Carter??? Dream on buddy. Carter is in a league of his own. Steyn has improved his game alot.Very good player and glad to see the Bulls play complete rugby. GO STORMERS!!!!!!!
Jeff Aucamp3/12/2010 8:13 AM
The best flyhalf in the world by a country mile.
sexbomb3/12/2010 8:03 AM
I taught him how to kick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bulla3/12/2010 7:52 AM
..as the All Black coach said, ...Morne Steyn is the best in the world..!!
Blue Jake3/12/2010 6:40 AM
It's inevitable.
bulawayo-based-bok3/12/2010 12:42 AM
william shakespeare.......hahaha i try my best! :)
William Shakespeare3/11/2010 10:04 PM
Al wat jy sien is die blou masjien! @bulawayo-based-bok: Thanks for writing in plain English... much easier to read.
bulawayo-based-bok3/11/2010 9:32 PM
incredibly good player at the moment....in my opinion he is on a par with Carter on current form, and what has impressed me most is his stepping and running game and his almost judo-like defence......he must have spent some time wit the combat coach because all of his tackles involve flinging a player to the ground!!......STEYN U LEGEND!!!!
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