Blitzboks push on Dry’s button
LA SEVENS: DASHES TO USA TO REPLACE INJURED VISSER
Own Correspondent
An ankle injury to Springbok Sevens forward Impi Visser has ruled him out of the Los Angeles Sevens at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson this weekend and he will be replaced by the experienced Chris Dry.
Visser sustained the injury on Thursday and Dry was called into the squad earlier yesterday. Dry, who is the most capped South African forward in the World Rugby Sevens Series (72 tournaments and 363 matches), said the trip came unexpectedly, but he was ready to go.
“Look, it is never nice to replace a fallen brother, but these things happen,” said Dry.
“It is a long haul to get to Los Angeles, but I have done many trips in my life and this will be a mental adjustment, something I am comfortable to do.
“My heart goes out to Impi and I wish him a speedy recovery. For me, this is just another great opportunity to play with my friends and fellow Blitzboks.”
Dry – along with Zain Davids and Justin Geduld – was originally rested for the tournament in North America, but will now see action.
Springbok Sevens coach Neil Powell took the injury in his stride: “Injuries are part and parcel of the game and can happen at any time. I feel for Impi, he was playing great rugby. Luckily for us, Chris is ready to step-in.”
Powell had his mind on the Pool B clashes against Kenya, Canada and Ireland.
“We are looking from some consistency at the start and will most likely have a starting line-up here that is similar to the one in Sydney,” Powell said.
“Kenya will be up for it as they beat us in Hamilton. We have some momentum though having played well in Sydney.
“This late injury aside, it has been a good week. Any new venue offers some challenges, but nothing major and we go into the tournament well-prepared.