Injury concerns for Lions
Carlos Spencer
The Lions will be without Deon van Rensburg and are sweating on the fitness of Carlos Spencer ahead of their clash with the Brumbies. Centre Van Rensburg is on his way back to South Africa with torn ligaments in his thumb while fly-half Spencer is nursing an injury and might not be available for this Friday’s match in Canberra.
That is the news from Australia where Lions coach Dick Muir is preparing the side for what he believes will be a first win for his charges. Muir is expected to make a number of changes in the starting line-up as part of the rotation policy, but has emphasised that nothing should be read into the side that will be named on Wednesday.
At centre, Walter Venter is certain to take over from Van Rensburg and partner Doppies la Grange in midfield. Venter was good as a replacement and with La Grange, who had an excellent match against the Hurricanes, they could be handful in midfield come the weekend.
If Spencer can’t play, former Bulls fly-half Burton Francis will probably get a start.
“We were bitterly disappointed at the result against the Hurricanes last weekend,” Muir said.
“We were better than that.
“I think the Hurricanes summed it up correctly when they said we were the better team that just didn’t finish it off.”
Muir felt that the team had taken a step up generally, and that the defence was also better than the previous week against the Chiefs when both sides scored nine tries in Chiefs’ 72-65 win at Coca-Cola Park.
“But our defence still let us down on a few occasions,” he continued.
“We missed a couple of kicks at goal and we also made some silly mistakes – but the good thing is that we again created opportunities. With more experience the guys will start finishing those opportunities off.
“We want to take another step up this weekend. We’re looking forward to a big one against the Brumbies, and we’re looking for that first result, you know.”
[Info from Planet Rugby]
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