So is Lukhanyo Am the best player in the world?
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- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
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He might just be the best player in the world. And yet, Lukhanyo Am isn't like other world-class players: He's something quiet, calm, and new. So, just what makes the Springbok centre so good?
Consistency, intelligence, making a impact on every game played, is what makes a player great, and in that respect, Am is indeed a cut above the rest.
His hustle and motor make it seem like hes everywhere on the field. So much fun to watch
Have you heard of Antoine Dupont?
@@tommyc5341 what about him?
@@menzimngadi6793 What a stupid question, no offense.
@@oxartis3715 In the context of what is being said about AM, bright spark.
Squidgy, let’s also take a moment to thank you for bringing such unique and thoroughly entertaining insight into rugby analysis! The rugby world is so much richer for your efforts! You too are CLASS. One can only imagine how many hours you put into each video you make and your love and passion for the game and what you do deserves the greatest of respect, irrespective of where your followers come from! I, for one, salute you oh great little one! And yes, Lukhanyo is Ambelievable in every respect! Wonderful skill, deep rugby intellect and great humility.
haven't watched the video yet but yes
Ads haven't finished but I've already liked it.
Agreed
Was thinking same thing, Eben for 2de plce💪🏻
I don't know how Lukhanyo Am manages to run around when his brain is so big. He's still very underrated despite all the praise. The man is just pure class. A modern day Conrad Smith
On that note, @squidgerugby can you please do a retrospective video on What Made Conrad Smith so great? Thanks in advance… yours is the best rugby analysis!
@@aar1967 I’m so down for this, please Squidge! Was watching this video thinking about Conrad Smith the whole time
I'm Springboks and my brother is all blacks. We had the exact same discussion this morning and we concurred Am is underrated and hes the modern day Conrad Smith
He is by far the best TEAM player the Boks have ever had.
PSDT
dont forget fourie du preez
"ever" takes in a huuuuge amount of ground.
Suffice it to say, he is one of the best ever.
By far? Ever? How old are you? 🤣
Bakkies Bitha, Victor Matfield, Jaque Fourie, Jean Devilliers, Kolisi, De Allende, Pollard, Kolbe, Fourie Du Preez, Nkosi, mapimpi, Dani Gerber., Malcom Marx, Os Durant. As a 13 year old, lemme just say, yes, he is one of our best centres ever, cant say he is the best.
I have been away from my country SA for many years now...but watching your videos takes me home and at the end I always almost feeling like crying ... Thank you bro ❤️🙏
Are you going to watch the game on Saturday?
I completely agree, a wonderful place, incredible people and potential, badly led.
@@chris5240 Yes
I'm a New Zealander, I freaking love Am. Think I first saw him in 2018 and 2019. Best 13 in the world and yes Squidgy, he is reinventing the game.
Haven’t watched this yet but I already agree, he is the most intelligent centre since Conrad Smith retired, an all round rugby player, looking forward to the video.
Thanks Squidge, love the energy in these videos. Good one for acknowledging the isixhosa commentators as well. Cant wait for the world cup!
Mate I cannot explain the admiration I have for you. Keep your amazing content coming and your unique absolutely phenomenal view on rugby coming through. You are a trend setter and I am a HUGE FAN. thank you
This video👌🔥 he’s even better than we think, dude is too slick…hopefully he adds more tries to his game and has a superb international season because he’s been among the best since 2019…
Damn straight Qinebe! Whatsup 🙂
As a life long Springbok supporter I have regarded Am as a truly special player for years now , I agree 100% that he is in a class of his own.
We have a word to describe Lukhanyo "Bhuda" (Boo-dur). It means the same thing as classy (I think).
Thanks for this Squidge! Lukhanyo is class.
Been saying son long he is the best outside centre that South Africa has to offer. Nice working your sponsorship in your video.
Consistency is key with him. Always performs. No off days.
It so simple to describe AM he is not a rugby robot he plays what is in front of him and he does so with no ego or narcissism the ultimate team man in a team sport. Wish he was welsh
Another great video. Its great how well you present a case and always turn in quality commentary. Am is class as is this channel.
Thank you Chief Squidge. This was long overdue. He deserves it.
Am does his job with quiet confidence. No arrogance, no flash..Just honest intelligent hard work.. 👍🏻💪🏼
The best analysis around. Again.
Another outstanding analysis, you are a legend Squidge - thank you and look forward to your videos on the SA v Wales series.
If there's anyone who reminds me of Am, it's Conrad Smith. Am is a better player, no doubt, but he reminds me of Smith in both personality and role. Never the star of the show, but perhaps the most important cog in the machine and perfectly happy to make his team greater without claiming the spotlight for doing it.
Smith was always very reliable. His awesome link with Nonu is not too different from Am's with De Allende...although Nonu is one of the greatest 12s ever...and de Allende is only a 'very good 12' by comparison.
That’s a good comparison, actually. 👍
I was going to comment this, Smith even in the Classic Abs had a few classy touches that I'd say Am is the one centre today who you think would do them as well.
I was going to say the same thing....you never really noticed Smith....you just noticed that the AB back line didn't work so well when he wasn't on.
Am is great but lets not get carried away. Am is yet to knock Smith off his perch. Just because Am is the more recent player doesnt mean that Smith wouldnt have stood out far more to followers of the game in this new world of fan-video analysis.
Reminds me of when Maradona died and suddenly everyone was saying that Pele REALLy wasnt as good as Diego, which was a historically provincial view IMHO.
Best square space ad I have ever seen! Awesome content as always!!!
Love your analysis, Squidge!
You're spot on about Lukhanyo. He is pure class!
The isiXhosa commentator said:
Lukhanyo is a profoundly vindictive man, Bra Kaizer!
A quick response mixed with great urgency from the Sharks!
Good video and he is world class. One thing though is how NZ, Oz, and even England in the autumn exposed the South African defence system with width and through the midfield. The Boks were assured against the Lions, but exposed by NZ and Oz in the rugby championship.
Im more interested to see how the Boks do in the rugby championship than the Lions last year. Am is a great player and well balanced in attack and midfield and they're evolving their game to address the wide channel more so looking forward to seeing that this year
Quality analysis, as always!! Thank you! 👊
The analysis was brilliant.
His name in the Xhosa language LUKHANYO is translated THE LIGHT/ LIGHTER/ OR ENLIGHTENER
Am to Pm, doesn't matter the time he's always class. I'm a Sharks and Boks supporter - very lucky to have Lukhanyo. He's the GOAT!
Great on attack, you have to tackle him below the knee to bring him down. Caleb Clark found that out the hard way, but took him next time by ensuring he kept his lower legs locked together. As for defence, the All Blacks had no trouble running through him and around him - halfway to greatness!
He reminds me of Conrad Smith, just such a clever player with his deception and skills. As well as not being flashy and being a great leader, he just does the basics really well.
In the NBA, he would be Tim Duncan - fundamentals done to absolute perfection
Honestly - as a SHARKS and BOKS fan … AM is pure class! Literally Never seen him have a bad game. Is a the excitement and “moments” of a Kolbe hot stepper or a Vermuelen battering ram? Absolutely not!
But AM is the absolute cog in the engine that makes it all happen (both tries in WC final 2019 he was involved with).
One of the ULTIMATE team players …. Whereby everyone around you looks good when you’re on the field!!!
In my head off hand I can think of Dick Muir at inside center …. Never a showboat but shit the difference around him in performing players (overall) was obvious when he wasn’t playing!
AM is our subtle magician!!! No opposition knows the attention they should be giving to him …. Let’s keep it that way. And I feel like you’ve given it away Squidge! Lol!
Thanks for respect on our silent TOP BOK!! Deserves all the accolades and recognition
Lukhanyo Am and Francois Steyn are beautiful anomalies.
So love someone else sees this selfless brilliance
This gave me some peace from the craziness of the world today. You do gods work mate, thank you
Wish I had a second like for that commentary at 14:11. Holy cow.
His combination with Damien De Allende is magic. De Allende & Am are the best centre pairing in the game today.
This video is exactly Lukhanyo'esque. You could have said so much and made a lot of noise, but, just like Am, you covered the necessary and did justice.
Dare I say that you are a fan of the man?
Reminds me a lot of Conrad Smith in the ways he sees the game
Am is my favorite.... undoubtedly the best!
Putting in the Xhosa commentary was the best part. No commentary will ever be as good as isiXhosa!
Great player. He is also quick, great acceleration and good size for centre.
Best centre in the world
Analysis bout we know you are a big fan of Am and notice things many of us don’t or take for granted
Proposition: the closest thing to Am is Brian O’Driscoll. Not the flashy youngster but the 34 yo making up for his declining speed by his delightful rugby savvy. Except Am is still a perfect athlete of course
Japie Mulder better
He makes insanely difficult things look wayyy too easy. That last try you showed is a great example of that
And he always looks bored while doing it :)
@@thesaxon2266 Well if by boring you are referring to being current number 1 in the world and World Champions then sure.
PS nice new account to troll with....
@@thesaxon2266 Going on to a thread discussing the merits of a player, just to disrespect the team he plays for *is* trolling. Speaking on behalf of "the world" *is* trolling.
I get it, you don't like watching the Boks. The easy thing to do in that case is simply not to watch the Boks, followed by not watching videos about the Boks players.... but you choose to do the things that define the term "troll". If the shoe fits.....
@@thesaxon2266 Hmmmm I appear to have hit a nerve.
No, Bryan Habana was not trolling because he did not hijack a completely different conversation to interject his views, as you did. Several Saffie commentators and ex-pros does not represent "the world".
Perhaps you should look at this another way... perhaps we are number 1 and reigning world champs BECAUSE we play a tighter lower risk game. Australia play the kind of game you and some of our pundits wished we played, and they were the only team to beat us by a reasonable margin last year, but how did it help them the rest of the year? A hail mary kick at posts in the dying minutes to win the first game against us, 7 intercept tries conceded against the All Blacks in three games (yes, SEVEN!!!) and losses to every team in Europe on their Autumn tour. We realise that the game has tightened up and evolved and we have adapted accordingly.
And here's the kicker... every one of those SA pundits and ex-pros would change their minds in an instant if we slipped back down to 7 on the ranking - you know, where we were the last time we tried to play the skilful quick through the hands style of game you want to see.....
@@Karma-qt4ji You play boring rugby because all your best players are overseas in different competitions and because Rassie cant just pick the best players coming through as there are political considerations.
So gone are the days of, say, grafting a stormers back row onto a bulls front five with a sharks midfield etc. and the coach turning up to provincial training sessions and chatting with the coaches while watching them train in pesron, asking how so and so is doing, working with them one and one and suggesting a few tweaks.
When senior England players had an issue they would get in their cars on their day off and go to Clive Woodwards house in Henley and make very clear demands of him, trying to straighten things out in the same room.
Instead now the Boks have had some ludicrous-name online "camps" where the players in different time zones have all to log in on zoom and pretend Nienaber is actually running things while Rassie tries to hold it all together.
Its trying to make a silk purse out of a pigs ear and the outcome is that the Boks can only really develop and synthesise a very !cough! boring and limited playing style if they are all going to take on board and memorise the same game plan in an easy to read way.
From what I see Springbok rugby is punching well above its weight in terms of the obstacles they face but they are in many ways hanging on by a thread and a few mishaps away from it all going sideways.
What a player. Great analysis
I have to say i Fully agree,, always liked Am, but he is very undertated in south Africa by some of Us, guess ill have to show all them none believers this video
Great vid on a great player...don't know about Grant Fox being a flair 10 though, I was always grateful the Kiwis didn't pick Frano Botica back in those days 'cause he was...
Lovely video about Am
He is my No.10 (🐐playmaker) and I had hate it that we're not playing around him in attack
Class!!! These are absolute Facts!!! Best video yet
The Xhosa commentary bit was a very nice touch 😅
Lukhanyo “silent assassin” Am
I’ll tell you what, this one is class!!
There’s something intangible about what makes him so good. He flys under the radar for long periods but then BOOM!!! A unique talent for South African rugby. The future looks bright. Not so sure about him captaining the Sharks. Prefer a captain closer to the action. Thomas du Toit impressed as Sharks captain.
What a video. Even the ad was entertaining
Just a frikkin legend in the making
I know this is an angle taken to stitch the narrative around but isn't vision the word most used to describe the quality AM is showing consistently throughout the clip? Or perhaps vision + adaptability? Or vision + adaptability + versatility?
And I think he does have a clear lineage. Conrad Smith and Walter Little are two examples of a center with these qualities.
such a great player! I love him!
One of the most selfless plauyers on the SA rugby team
Because he passed to Mapimpi in the WC final?. Oh FFS!
Certainly on his way to legendary status - all "LEGENDARY" players have that extra something that you cannot really put your finger on - he just has that ability to always correctly make snap decisions that other top players don't
6:27 I saw what you did there...
Not to mention his great vision to place the ball down straight on Tate McDermott
Just missing a high 5 from
Mapimpi
Good on ya, Squidy
soo good
cheers squidgie!
Sounds a LOT like Romain Ntamack to me :)
CLASS video for one helluva class player
Brilliant! Finally!
Best player is very subjective but I'd agree he's the best current outside centre. But he's deffo in contention for top spot overall. The de allende/am partnership reminds me of the fourie/olivier partnership with fourie the brains and olivier the braun. And in my opinion fourie is the best overall centre to play for the boks.
My ultimate judgment on who Am really is was when he passed the ball to Mapimpi when he had a good chance of scoring a try in a World Cup final; he gave up a once in a lifetime personal opportunity for a bigger team vision. He’s not about taking glory but spreading glory, the best team player, invested in unity, selfless and a giver.
If Lukhanyo is truly the best player in the world, then why isn't Squarespace the Lukhanyo of websites makers ? Hmmmm
Because squarespace is more flashy so your content sticks more out :D
Something smells like jealousy 😂
Did anyone else notice Eben doing almost the exact same things as Am in the try at around 7:50? He pointed out the same space, hanging back and anticipating a breakdown to smash, but he ended up running an awesome (legal) blocking line that left Am unmarked for the try.
Teamwork makes the dream work.
No.
This Springbok team could be the most complete we've seen yet.
This is not about Eben.. go make your own vid
Very cool.
As someone from the Eastern Cape, Xhosa native like Am, this made me very emotional. Thank you mate, keep doing what you do
Awe my fellow south african ... stay blessed brother
iDyan 😎
I was balling myself at one point, pride does even do it justice.
Also as an aside: if anyone reading this haven't heard Xhosa commentary ... Do yourself a favour and go listen to it. The passion is just 🔥🔥🔥
As a boertjie that isiXhosa commentary gave me goosebumps.
"I Lukhanyo think, therefor I Lukhanyo Am" is my new mantra for life.
Well done
Hahahaha love it!!!
"I Lukhanyo[u] think, therefor[e] I Lukhanyo[u] Are".
We lookandyou adapt? :P
@@zetristan4525 Lukhanyu? I would bet all the money I don’t have it’s Lukhanyo and it literally means light or enlightenment, it’s a name usually given to boys and represents in that context, amongst other positive things, things such as determination, strength, independence and one to count on or reliability because after all we all use the saying that through everything there will be light at the end of that tunnel of darkness and hardship! So the name represents wisdom, success and a great deal of fortune.
@@Mntungwa77 I be light, therefore I Am.
Havuyani better puns around Lukhanyo, as written in the above sentence?💡🇿🇦🌍🌌🌱
The most exciting thing for me about Lukhanyo is that he is ushering in a new era of Springbok rugby. Springbok coaches and teams of the past were marked by a fear of mistakes rather than the freedom to play and trust their instincts. They would do what the coaches want no matter what they are seeing on the field, until the coach redirects them at half time. And there is a whole generation following in Lukhanyo and the others footsteps - Fassi, Damien Willemse, Kolbe and the list goes on. Golden Era of Bok rugby in the making.
And Arendse 😉
I agree completely but because of my inherent ability to look at the worst in everything; I do hope this new way doesn't lead players to think they are singularities in a team that can solo the opposing 15 man team. We see this in many team sports which never ends or looks good.
Damien doesn't pass too much. I don't rate him much at centre.
Damien Willemse that is...
However there's a guy, Sibahle "Rabz" Maxwane. He plays for the Lions. You'd enjoy his abilities on the field.
I really hope Squarespace appreciates how you work their ad into your content. Definitely the most astute way I've seen this done by any UA-camr.
Witness "the Good the Bad and the Rugby" and Payno reading out Honda's pages and pages of drivel-text every week or the disaster that was their smacky chewing and nose-breathing Domino's Pizza "plug" section.
also the most annoying Ive ever seen with cut interplay of replay footage
I guess you haven't seen any @HarryMack videos then.
Yes. I usually just scroll to the end of all adds. I watched this one from start to finish...
So happy someone finally giving Am his fair due. I have been saying for years he is one of the best players I have seen play, but because he does it all so nonchalantly it does not get noticed. Thanks Squidge for bringing Class to the forefront
Lukhanyo Am is like the gearbox on a Hilux.
Hahahahaha dudeeee the wife and killled almost woke up because of my laughter,,, love the analogy 👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾
I don't think Am's decisions are as tactically motivated as its made out to be. I think he is perhaps just the most instinctively intelligent player there is. Some players just spot things. But his completeness and calmness of his instinct is unreal. I think his only equal is Kante or Nadal - always looks calm, never flashy and never makes an unforced error. The only to beat Am is to be a better player in that role - he's just the basics of the game done to a level of near perfection.
Well said
Vvd
well its a different form of intelligence id say. Its not the analytical kind. But more a superb awareness to a lot of details that are around him paired with some good instincts (that harris non block) and some split second decision making (that called faf kick for the corner). So he has kinda both. But he doesnt have the typical rugby intelligence on how to dismantle a defense in the next 6 phases.
100% agreed and well said. My comparison of him in football is Iniesta. Just pure class
And it's a fluid kind of instinct. I would say McCaw has great instinctive play too, but more a bulldozer, an intelligent battering ram or most brutish pickpocket - but very instinctive.
As a South African and a big fan of your videos , I think this might be my favorite one so far (this after your amazing videos of the Springboks from before and after the 2019 World Cup that I've watched 100 times ). Lukhanyo Am is truly class
I gave a like before i even watched because that's my favorite player right there😀 lukhanyo obi1 kinobi Am
Is the answer "never being high fived by Mapimpi but not letting it get him down?"
🤣🤣
I met him in person once! I was struck by how calm and nice he was
Same here, I met him when he was still playing for the Southern Kings. What a great guy.
Zinadine Zinadine of rugby, he's such a joy to watch. Always plotting behind the scenes like an assassin.
100% I would add Don Andres Iniesta as well
nha He is more like a Toni Kroos.
no he's more like ozil of rugby, never seems to panic or in a hurry
@@mabuselamntungwa8947 Tony Kroos is spot on. Zidane popped off the screen. His greatness was obvious even to casuals. Anyone watching football for the first time would point him out as the best player on the pitch.
Kroos, like Am, is not for casuals. If you don’t have an eye for them you only realize after the game that they were near perfect in all their decision making and executions. They make the extraordinary look routine.
@@mabuselamntungwa8947 definitely like Kroos 🔥🔥🔥 always turning the screws subtly
Am is one of those players who is just good at everything. Incredible rugby intelligence, great awareness on the field, quick thinking, a complete skillset with passing, running and kicking and brilliant pace too. Add to that his reading of the game in defence and his ability to organise those around him. Brilliant
He and Fickou are two of my favourite players to watch. They are very similar, with Fickou being a bit more individualistic (he loves scoring tries like his one against France), whilst Am is unselfish
Touche'!!!
I would really like to know how fickau managed to score a try against france...
@@hennoliebenberg5391 during warmups
To answer your question: YES , he is. He's a genius!
DuPont is better
@@theovonhalasz9738 Alot of people are saying, ahead of the weekend, that Kerevi is the best centre in the world.
@@theovonhalasz9738 straight rubbish mate 🗑
David havili bruh
Love your work Squidgy. Shout out for acknowledging the isixhosa commentators as well. Can’t wait for the international season
His work to put Kolbe in space and get him the ball for the winning try in the WC final was unbelievable and so underrated
not a south african in any way, i agree he is such a great player, who is underrated because he is not flashy
Posting this video very closely to the first Wales Vs springbok match seems suspicious... It's almost as if you're trying to let whales in on our secrets 😉 great video squidge!
It’s these types of videos that make me so thankful for squidge, Am is a generational player in all aspects talked about in this video, but the video allows potentially a wider audience to not just know how good he is, but to actually understand it as well, I’m looking forward to 2025 already where he discusses how paolo garbisi is the greatest human to ever grace this planet, and where I actually believe it!
Absolutely 100%. On the money as always Squidge! I feel like Am is one of the major reasons the boks won in Japan. Many many months before the RWC even began it was clear something had changed within the team. Random players were being brought out to speak to the press (as opposed to always the captain and another senior player), and each one sounding like a captain, owning the game, owning the team. What Rassie did was near miraculous, but it would likely not have been as effective if he did not already have key players in the team who had in their DNA what he was trying to get the rest of the players to do - play for the team, support the team, forget about yourself good or bad and make the next thing you do good for the team. All that talk about not being a windgat, forgetting your mistakes immediately and keeping a proper perspective etc. Direct all your energy, skills, efforts and decisions towards the good of the team. Am, along with Kolisi, has that kind of humility, calmness, selflessness in his bones. It balances his ambition and drive, making them more resilient. They can fight tooth and nail, win or lose and never lose their heads one way or the other. These aren't rugby skills, they are life skills. There are other players like that but none like Am.
"These are not just skills. These are life skills." Brilliant, Terrance, brilliant!
My 2 favourite Am moments show he's got personal talent for the game, and a great head for it too.
1) His try saving tackle where he somehow managed to rip the ball away from a certain try duing the lions tour and..
2) His trying to pull back the offsides players from "that disallowed try" against wales in the 2021 Autumn International.
Snap, number 2 was crazy
Very right and I agree although your No.2 may also point to excellent coaching. If you watch the video, you can also see Eben holding players back, and other players immediately acknowledge as if to say, "yeah we remember".. Good coaching. Even when Kolbe receives a kick and Am, Eben and Faf all point to where Kolbe should attack it tells you it's moments they have worked on in a training field. Again good coaching. It explains how quickly Rassie was able to turn the boks around into champions. But I'm not taking away how good Am is. He is Class!!
100%, number 2 was something else. What about the crazy intercept vs Argentina? Anybody remember it?
Yes Am is class, we are lucky as Springboks to have him.
That 2nd play was crazy....asked myself what he was doing, realized afterwards during the replay...
I'm so embarrassed that I missed so much about how good this player is before watching Squidge's videos, and I'm SA'n
not just you. He has 23 caps for the bokka... In a time frame where they played 52 games. And i think about 20 caps were in the RWC and 2021. So he was kinda ignored until Rassie came
@@McDJNomi He makes it look so easy you can miss the intimacy of his play
That World Cup try, you can actually pick hear that Am tells Mapimpi to kick (khaba) the ball in Xhosa - both players mother language
LOL I also saw that ‘Khaba! Khaba!’ 😂
Its an Am masterclass
Played with the homeboy. Spacial awareness is simply genius. Slick hands. Insane step and turns a small gap into a canyon. Oh, and that no look pass? Got it from me💪🏿💪🏿
Great work Squidge! He certainly is a highly skilled and humble sportsman. Glad he’s on my team…. My wife is welsh though, it’s always a tough time😜