Lions reel from big injury blows

SIDELINED: FIVE RULED OUT OF SUNWOLVES MATCH

he Lions have suffered a series of crippling injury blows on the eve of their departure to Singapore this afternoon to face the Sunwolves in a vital Super Rugby clash this weekend.

The biggest blows, it was revealed yesterday, were the losses of flank Kwagga Smith and prop Dylan Smith, who were both ruled out for more than a month, while flank Vincent Tshituka and fullback Andries Coetzee were also set to miss the trip.

Tshituka had a concussion as well as an ankle problem, according to Lions team doctor Rob Collins, while Coetzee had injured his hamstring.

Scrumhalf Dillon Smit, meanwhile, had hurt his hamstring in training and would be out for four to six weeks.

“Kwagga tore a groin tendon last weekend against the Rebels and is out for about six weeks, but he is a quick healer so it might be sooner than that,” Collins said yesterday.

“Dylan broke a cheekbone and saw the surgeon yesterday. He is out for eight to 12 weeks because it’s bone that has to heal on the outside.”

Hacjivah Dayimani and Robert Kruger were likely to replace Kwagga Smith and Tshituka, while Sylvian Mahuza would come in for Coetzee.

“If we played in Johannesburg this week, we would have been able to test Andries but because we had to make the call today [yesterday] he is not able to make it,” Collins said.

“Boeboes [Coetzee] should be ready for the Sharks game, but Vincent’s ankle will probably take about six weeks.”

Collins had more positive news on other stars, like eighthman Warren Whiteley (chest), flank Cyle Brink (knee) and prop Jacobie Adriaanse.

“Warren should be ready by the middle of our tour next month, so about mid-April, while Cyle should be back for the Sharks game,” he said.

“Jacobie is cleared to play, while [prop] Johannes Jonker [shoulder] should be ready for the Sharks game.”

The team will be announced tomorrow.

The awesome Crusaders’ unbeaten run of 17 games was halted after their cancelled game against the Highlanders, while the ‘Tahs are hurting after their 19-13 loss to the Brumbies. 10 or more. Crusaders by

After a rocky start the Lions are starting to find their way and the Sunwolves would have felt they were significantly better than the 31-34 loss to the Reds last weekend, so another nailbaiter awaits.

Lions by 14.

The Bulls have been awesome but one has to see how the bye affected their momentum, while the winless Chiefs have been poor but rocked back last week to draw against the Hurricanes.

Bulls by 13.