It looks as though it will be the only Super Rugby game he plays all season but stop-gap playmaker Sam Lane can justifiably dine out on his Queensland debut.
Thrust into the No.10 jersey as the Reds’ fifth-choice five-eighth, Lane overcame an attack of nerves to play a key role in the injury-ravaged Super Rugby champions’ crucial 20-13 win over the Brumbies on Good Friday.
The 21-year-old earned plaudits from both Queensland coach Ewen McKenzie and Brumbies counterpart Jake White as he combined with Will Genia to execute a field-position game plan at Suncorp Stadium and help end a three-match losing streak.
“I’ve watched him since he was (11 in Cape Town) at prep school with my son,” former Springboks mentor White said.
“I think he did fantastically well for coming straight into his first game of Super Rugby.”
But the rave reviews will count for little when regular playmakers Ben Lucas and Mike Harris return from hamstring injuries for the April 20 home clash against the Stormers.
“I’m just happy to have this,” Lane said after his impressive 10-point debut.
“If I get another opportunity then that’s great but I’m happy to do the best for the team.”
While the South African Under-20 triallist, who returned from Cape Town last November, slotted four from six with the boot, after missing his opening two attempts due to nerves.
But a sideline conversion in the 26th minute, followed up by a chip and toe ahead for Scott Higginbotham’s second try made him feel at home.
“Just the first couple [of kicks] – my legs were shaking,” he said.
“It was good after that.
“They wanted me to play within the game plan but they also said for me to back my ability. It couldn’t have been a better debut.”
The son of former Wallabies back Tim, Lane credited the guidance of both Genia and Wallabies star Quade Cooper, making his own return from injury as Reds waterboy, as a major help as the Reds (17) closed the gap on the Brumbies (19) at the top of the Australian conference.
With Queensland having a bye and the Waratahs (17) to meet the Western Force (12) in Perth, the Brumbies’ home clash with the Melbourne Rebels (14) looms as a must-win encounter.
“You can’t have back-to-back losses, you have to turn the corner there,” said Brumbies skipper Ben Mowen.
One area the ACT franchise must improve is their finishing after making seven line breaks to one but only crossing once through tackle-busting winger Joe Tomane.
“Our execution at crucial times needs to improve if we are going to be a threat in this competition, we have to be taking our chances,” White said.
