Kwagga to step up for Lions
HE DID the job once this season when Malcolm Marx was rested and tomorrow Kwagga Smith will again lead the Lions in a Super Rugby match.
With Marx sitting out again, and Warren Whiteley still injured, Smith will guide the Lions in their round 15 match against the Sharks in Durban.
While Smith may not be the most vocal man around, Lions coach Swys de Bruin has confidence the 25-yearold has what it takes to lead the side.
“Kwagga is a lot like Malcolm in that he also prefers to let his playing do the talking,” said De Bruin.
“But he’s a senior member of the team and a guy with loads of experience. He’s been around for a while now and as a former Sevens player who travelled all over the world he knows what it takes to win and to set the right example. I’ve got a lot of trust in him and the players back him, too.”
De Bruin didn’t want to speculate on Whiteley’s return. “I don’t know much about knee bruising, so it’s not fair on anyone to say we’ll wait and see every week. I’ll let Warren get better and when he’s ready I’ll pick him again. I’ve got quality players here who I back and right now they must do the business for us.”
In Marx’s absence, young Jan-Henning Campher will start at hooker, with Pieter Jansen on the bench.
“Malcolm has had two big games now (against the Waratahs and Highlanders) and we have to rest our top guys,” explained De Bruin. “But this is a big opportunity for our two young hookers, Jan-Henning and Pieter Jansen. Jan-Henning has been impressive when he’s got his chances this year and you can see he’s hungry to get a proper go. I’m keen to see what he can do from the start.”
In other changes prop Johannes Jonker comes in for Carlu Sadie, while at the back Nic Groom replaces Ross Cronje.
In an interesting move Hacjivah Dayimani will be a replacement for the loose-forward and centre positions. The 21-year-old, whose regular position is flank or eighthman, was tested at inside centre in a SuperSport Challenge match but he may now run out in the midfield against the Sharks.
“He’s been picked on the bench as a loose-forward and as a back,” said De Bruin. “We’re expecting another physical match from the Sharks so have decided to go in with six forwards on the bench and just two backs, Shaun Reynolds and Tyrone Green. But, in Hacjivah we have a player whose versatility gives us a few options.”
Lions: Andries Coetzee, Courtnall Skosan, Lionel Mapoe, Harold Vorster, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Elton Jantjies, Nic Groom, Kwagga Smith (capt), Cyle Brink, Marnus Schoeman, Marvin Orie, Stephan Lewies, Johannes Jonker, Jan-Henning Campher, Dylan Smith. Replacements: Pieter Jansen, Sti Sithole, Carlu Sadie, Reinhardt Nothnagel, Vincent Tshituka, Hacjivah Dayimani, Shaun Reynolds, Tyrone Green. THE 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be held with 32 participating teams and not an expanded 48 teams, organisers Fifa said on Wednesday.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino had proposed expanding the tournament and explored the idea of adding additional host nations.
But the sport’s world ruling body said in statement: “Following a thorough and comprehensive consultation process with the involvement of all the relevant stakeholders, it was concluded that under the current circumstances such a proposal could not be made now.”
Fifa and Qatar also looked at whether the Gulf state could host an expanded tournament alone by changing the normal requirements for facilities.
“A joint analysis, in this respect, concluded that due to the advanced stage of preparations and the need for a detailed assessment of the potential logistical impact on the host country, more time would be required and a decision could not be taken before the deadline of June,” Fifa said.
“It was therefore decided not to further pursue this option.” |