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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.
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."
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Latest Comments
Don't think you've watched enough. I'll take him over anything I's seen so far. But let's see how the future pans out. I'm quietly confident we have a row of 10's lined uo who would each start in many really good teams.
Go to commentsHopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
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