Springbok utility back Patrick Lambie admitted he's getting fed up warming the bench for South Africa during the Rugby Championship, and is itching for more game-time.
Under new Bok coach Heyneke Meyer, the talented 21-year-old has been forced to play second fiddle to full-back Zane Kirchner during the last three Tests against Argentina and Australia.
Lambie's services weren't required against Argentina, but cracked the nod in the last 10 minutes of South Africa's 26-19 loss to Australia in Perth.
Many observers believe that Lambie's play-making ability is being wasted on the bench, whilst the powers that be cling to players who are evidently past their sell-by date.
Whilst it's likely Meyer will once again opt for Kirchner in his run-on XV against New Zealand, a frustrated Lambie made it clear that he will stop at nothing to break into South Africa's starting line-up.
"I'm desperate for some game time," Lambie told supersport.
"I've been training hard, as hard if not harder than the guys that have been starting to try and get into the starting XV.
"I'm hoping and looking forward to some more game time and making the most of my opportunity. If I get a chance to get on the field I will be doing all that I can to impress the coach and other players,
"It was really nice to get on the field against Australia. I sat on the bench for the other two games and didn't get on, which was very disappointing and a bit frustrating so it was nice to get on albeit for 10 minutes.
"It's not much time to do anything but I got my hands on the ball a couple of times, cleaned a few rucks and did everything that I could, unfortunately it was a bit too late," he added.
The 2012 Super Rugby final aside, Lambie is a proven match-winner with that all-important X-factor and an innate ability to create something from nothing - whether it be at full-back or fly-half.
Lambie, who has amassed 14 caps during his fledgling career, said that he did not mind where he played as long as he was starting.
"I've had an ankle injury so I've played all of 10 minutes of rugby in the last six weeks and before that 80 minutes in the last 10 weeks so I'm feeling fresh and raring to go," he said.
"I just want to be in the starting line-up so whether that is at full-back or fly-half I don't mind at the moment.
"It would have been really nice to have got some game time at fly-half against Argentina but, in saying that, if I get time at full-back this weekend that will be great too."
Comments
SACanuck says...
Sad to see such a talent wasted by this coach. HM must be the only person in this world who thinks that Kirchner is better than Lambie. Guess the reason is that Lambie has a brain and understands the game and that does not suit HM. Hell and I thought PdV was bad!!
Posted 15:33 11th September 2012