Carlos Spencer at flyhalf for the Lions
Carlos Spencer
Lions coach Dick Muir has recalled Carlos Spencer at flyhalf and named star scrumhalf Jano Vermaak on the bench for the Super 14 match against New South Wales.
Spencer returned to the No.10 position for Friday’s match in Sydney after missing the Lions’ defeat to ACT with a pectoral muscle injury. The former All Black is one of six changes to the starting lineup made by Muir following the 24-13 loss to the Brumbies in Canberra.
Emerging Springbok scrumhalf Vermaak, the Lions’ best player in 2009, has recovered from the long-term injury that has kept him out of action since late 2009. He flew into Sydney on Tuesday having proved his fitness in the Golden Lions’ Vodacom Cup team in South Africa.
Wing Wandile Mjekevu has also returned to the starting 15 in place of Dusty Noble who has returned to South Africa with a knee ligament injury. Fullback Early Rose, lock Franco van der Merwe, prop Heinke van der Merwe and hooker Hannes Franklin were also recalled.
The Lions have lost all four of their games in the 2010 Super 14 and are second from bottom in the standings.
Lions
Earl Rose, Tonderai Chavhanga, Walter Venter, Doppies la Grange, Wandile Mjekevu, Carlos Spencer, JP Joubert; Heinke van der Merwe, Hannes Franklin, Kevin Buys, Franco van der Merwe, Willem Stoltz, Cobus Grobbelaar (captain), Derick Minnie, Todd Clever
Replacements
Charles Emslie, JC Janse van Rensburg, Jacques Lombaard, Robert Kruger, Jano Vermaak, Burton Francis, Wigan Pekeur. – Sapa-AP
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