Morne Steyn believes Manie Libbok can become an 80% goal-kicker if the Springbok flyhalf can master operating under the shot-clock pressure at Test level.
Libbok’s goal-kicking inconsistencies have been regularly highlighted, most recently during the Rugby Championship where he missed a crucial kick against Argentina that cost the Boks victory.
Despite maintaining a respectable 73% success rate in the Vodacom URC and 71% in the Champions Cup for the DHL Stormers, the transition to Test rugby has proven challenging for the mercurial playmaker.
Steyn, who amassed 742 points in 68 Tests for South Africa and now serves as kicking consultant for the Lions, identified the shot-clock as a potential factor in Libbok’s Test-match struggles.
“That step up to the Springboks definitely puts more pressure on you. I think Manie is a great player. His general play and attacking on the field is awesome,” Steyn told The Citizen.
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“His kicking for the Stormers has been very good and consistent. But moving to the Springboks I am not sure if he is changing something. What I have noticed is that the shot clock might be putting him off.”
Drawing from his experience in French rugby where the shot-clock is commonplace, Steyn elaborated: “I think he maybe looks at the clock too much and worries about the time because he seems to be kicking with just three or four seconds left on the shot clock. So that might be one of his problems.”
“He is a great player and a good kicker of the ball as well. There is no problem with his ability or anything. But maybe he gets in his head a bit,” Steyn added.
“He can kick and can be an 80% kicker. He just needs to get out of his head and focus on the job at hand.”
Photo: Nicolas Tucat/AFP
The post Steyn: It’s all in Manie’s head appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
