Teichmann backs Pollard, Lambie
Teichmann spoke to East Coast Radio Sportswave ahead of the Springbok-All Blacks Rugby Championship clash this weekend.
Pollard seems to have nailed down his spot the incumbent pivot for the national side while Lambie is covering bases at flyhalf and fullback off the bench. Teichmann hopes Meyer will use both players to good effect as the World Cup draws near.
“Pollard’s and Pat Lambie are very talented - I think we’re blessed having both those players available. I think the coach has just got to play and manage those two together and play them at the right time against the right opposition. It’s always good going into a World Cup with two solid flyhalves,” Teichmann said.
While both players have been impressive in general play, Pollard’s goal-kicking has come under scrutiny in recent months. World Cups have traditionally been won by teams that have air-tight defensive systems and reliable goal kickers.
Pollard hasn’t been striking the ball as sweetly as hoped – but Teichmann said extra hours putting boot to ball should do the trick.
“I think the kicking is a matter of confidence and putting a lot of practice, time and effort which I’m sure he’s doing. I’m not sure who the kicking coach is but just spending more time with him to give him more confidence should help.”
In an effort to make sure the most reliable kicker is on the park, Meyer could opt to give Lambie a starting berth at fullback in the future. The Cell C Sharks pivot would then assume the goal-kicking duties. But Teichmann believes that wouldn’t be necessary, and would also take away the x-factor that fullback Wille le Roux brings.
“I think Willie adds a bit more to it. I think we can get carried away with kicking, it’s an important part but I think that Willie creates a lot of opportunities and I’d hate to see him taken out of the team just for a kicking perspective. I think Heyneke just has to read it – if Pollard does lose confidence in terms of his kicking then he needs to be able to make that switch quite quickly.”
On a parting note, Teichmann said the new-look Bok midifield of Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel had ticked the right boxes. Despite conceding a try through the midfield, the Bok legend thinks the pair need more time together before they gel.
“I was very impressed. There might have been a defensive error but bare in mind Kriel hadn’t played outside centre before and it was their first game together against an Aussie backline that can create a lot of opportunities. Unfortunately, Kriel could have got a bit of an opportunity during Super Rugby just to get a bit more comfortable in that position but he was outstanding, I’m quite excited and I don’t think it’s a defensive lapse, I think it’s more a communication problem that will come right with a bit of time playing together.”
Rugby fans can catch 'Glory Game' – a movie covering former Springbok scrumhalf Joost van der Westhuizen’s battle with Motor Neurons Disease. Having played with the legendary Bok scrumhalf, Teichmann appears in the film and said he was touched by Joost’s struggle.
“I think what Joost has been going through has been a real eye opener for all of us and the way he’s handled what he’s having to deal – I’ve got so much respect for him as a person. It’s never nice to see someone going through something like that. I think his quote at the start of the whole disease, he kept asking ‘well why him’, and eventually he said ‘why not me’. That’s typical of how he’s approached this and how brave he has been.”
The final showing of the movie is on Sunday.
It forms part of the annual Durban International Film Festival and will be screened at the Sneddon Theatre at UKZN at 20h15.
The film was screened at Suncoast Supernova last night.
Twitter - @gazza_jenks/@ECRSportswave