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Libbok sends message to kicking critics amid contest with 'world class' Pollard
By Josh Raisey
Going into the World Cup, there was a question mark over fly-half Manie Libbok’s kicking, and that question has not necessarily been answered as the tournament has progressed.
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The 26-year-old looked to have turned a corner against the All Blacks in South Africa’s final match before the World Cup, but the loss to Ireland at the Stade de France opened that wound again. Handre Pollard was drafted into the Springboks’ World Cup squad soon after and could well start against France this Sunday in the quarter-finals due to his superior goal kicking percentage. He is not the best kicker in the world, but many feel he is the more reliable option with the boot than the Stormers No10.
But Libbok does not seem to be paying any attention to the outside chatter surrounding his kicking, rather he is solely focusing on himself and improving.
“I don’t watch what is going on in the media,” he said this week. “I know what criticism is out there when it comes to my kicking but for me I am focusing on myself. I am focusing on getting it right, it is something I have to get right especially at this level where the margins are so small. I am just working hard and trying to get it right.”
Though the 2019 World Cup winning fly-half Pollard is breathing down Libbok’s neck ahead of the France clash, the 12-cap Springbok says it is “awesome” having his “world class” teammate in camp.
He said: “First and foremost it is nice to have Handre back in the camp. Him and I work nicely together, we pick each other up. It’s awesome to work with him. It doesn’t matter who is going to start. If he is going to play, if I am going to play. I know he’ll do a good job, a great job. He is a world class player, he has been there and done that so for me it’s awesome to have him back in the camp. He helps me a lot and we work nicely together.”
There’s a category of SA supporters who will hate on certain SA players - no matter their form, no matter their substance and no matter what they do.
It usually has something to do with some unconscious bias. Things like which province they’re from (“province” or “Stormers” for example), whose place they’re threatening (“the nostalgic” / “past World Cup winner” / “Blue bulls darling”). Sadly, I’d even say there are other more sinister reasons for this bias. You know exactly who you are…
But anyone hating on Manie Libbok, who doesn’t recognize that he is our best 10 at the moment and has stepped up to international level and done what he was asked to do in filling big shoes - is just ignorant.
Name me a better option at 10 and stop dissing Libbok.
Stop throwing kicking percentages into the argument (which can’t be argued). I want names - who should have been played at 10 up to now in Pollard’s absence? Who else should have been developed into the 10 position for the boks over the past few months?
Not so long ago there was a fair amount of noise about the lack of depth at 10. And, even, Pollards OVERALL form (at times his kicking percentages even too).
For his experience and the number of caps coming into this World Cup, Libbok has been a revelation. Full stop.
Bernard. Read what Daniel Carter said about Pollard and not your French buddies. Pollard is a match winner.
France has every advantage playing at home but just maybe they come unstuck. Going to be a tight call either way.
Interesting that Pollard is on the bench. I would have preferred that but will go with Rassie and Jacques.
Would love to see the Boks bring their A game. Building the necessary platform to set the backs up.
I may be totally wrong but this French team has weaknesses, as was shown by the Irish not so long ago. The only real problem the Boks have is the French home advantage.
The knock out stages are always a lottery. Any 2 of the A and B groups could go through to the semi's. I doubt that any of the qualifiers from the C & D groups will progress beyond the semi's.
The SA IRE match was played like a knock out match for one reason. You do not want to be playing France at home in a QTR final.
NZ Started their match against FRA like their win against SA in Smart stadium but it wasn’t nearly enough: dealt with by France even though they left Telea acres for both NZ tries.
The route to the final was through the slightly less perilous route via NZ. If they couldn’t beat Ireland in Paris with their best shot they ain’t gonna beat France there. Expect a statement from France on Sunday.
Pollard is a very good kicker.
But remains a very average FH on the whole.
When he arrived in Montpellier after WC 19 triumph, many Frenchmen including myself were expecting wonders, which never happened.
Misadaptation to French life and or club in and off field culture ?
I’ve discussed the topic with fans I’m close to and everybody settled that Pollard would be less of a threat than Libbok, even when taking into account his higher kicking stats
What amazes me is the so called tier 2 Team kickers have better goal kicking percentages. The Old Boks 10 Naas Botha why can’t he assist …this bloke is talented but woeful in his kicks. Goal kicks win World cups and if not corrected will be a very expensive lesson to leave Pollard out. MissBok should look at practicisng more and refine his technique. He will become ExBok, or TheBok. Lets see what he becomes.
He’s got a dreadful low percentage kicking technique. So he kicks goals at a low percentage. A liability the Boks could do without.