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Sharks have to stick with a flop at flyhalfCraig RayPublished:Mar 17, 2009
HOBSON’S CHOICE: Francois Steyn will play flyhalf for the Sharks in spite of another poor showing in that position on Saturday Picture: AP Article Tools Print E-MailSave and Share
RUAN Pienaar’s injury is not a concern only for the Sharks, but also for Springbok coach Peter de Villiers.
Pienaar returned to South Africa yesterday for scans on his injured knee, and Frans Steyn will fill the Sharks’ void.
Steyn moved to flyhalf on Saturday against the Reds and endured a torrid time, but coach John Plumtree has no option but to back him there again this week against the Western Force.
“We lost some flow,” Plumtree admitted after Saturday’s 25-13 defeat in Brisbane. “Frans [Steyn] did alright, though, and he will be all the better for the time he played at flyhalf.”
It was hardly a ringing endorsement of Steyn’s ability at No10.
In 2007, Steyn slotted in at flyhalf during the second half for the Boks against the All Blacks in Durban. It was a disaster with a Steyn kick charged down, leading to a try, and a fumbled ball inside his in-goal area that led to another try.
It prompted Bok coach Jake White to say: “No, it’s over. Frans isn’t going to play flyhalf again. He likes space and needs space. He was boxed in at flyhalf and his game suffered against New Zealand.”
But White picked Steyn at flyhalf for the Barbarians against the Wallabies last year, and witnessed another poor display by the player.
On Saturday’s evidence, little has changed. Steyn is a fine inside centre and perhaps an even better fullback because he has more space.
But in the confines of playing one channel away from rucks, he appears slow to react.
Plumtree has no option but to throw Steyn in at flyhalf. Butch James and Frederic Michalak have left the Sharks and Vodacom Cup player Monty Dumond is untested in Super 14.
Saturday’s match against the Western Force suddenly looks like a critical test of the Sharks’ title credentials — especially if they have to do it with Steyn at flyhalf.
http://www.thetimes.co.za:80/Sport/A...aspx?id=960452