Lions wounded as Whiteley goes
ACKERS: WHITELEY INJURY BIG SETBACK TO CAMPAIGN Joburg’s Pride set to turn to Kriel and other senior players to fill the void left by inspirational leader
A player and captain of the calibre of Warren Whiteley can’t be replaced overnight, says Lions coach Johan Ackermann.
Aplayer and a captain of the calibre of Warren Whiteley can’t be replaced overnight, bemoaned Lions coach Johan Ackermann yesterday.
Whiteley, the Springbok captain, was withdrawn from the third French Test last weekend because of a groin injury and was yesterday ruled out for almost two months.
He is set to miss the rest of the Super Rugby campaign and is in a race against time to be fit for the Springboks’ opening Rugby Championship match on August 19 against Argentina in Port Elizabeth.
According to Rob Collins, the Lions team doctor, Whiteley’s scan of his injured groin shows a torn ligament in his pelvis. Although Collins said the injury doesn’t require surgery at this stage, they expect to rehabilitate him in six to eight weeks.
Ackermann said they won’t give up hope that Whiteley could return before the end of the competition.
“Obviously it’s a big setback,” said Ackermann yesterday.
“We can only wish him a speedy recovery and hopefully we can remain standing in the competition, because every passing week it increases the chances of Warren to hopefully stay involved.
“Not only his leadership, as we know he is an outstanding captain, but we are also going to miss his direction as a player. He is an outstanding No 8 and the work that he goes through is phenomenal,” added Ackermann.
The Lions’ match against the Sunwolves on Saturday at Ellis Park is followed by a bye and then they play their final regular game against the Sharks in Durban before the play-offs come around.
While flank Jaco Kriel is set to take over the captaincy, other senior players like flyhalf Elton Jantjies, scrumhalf Ross Cronje, lock Franco Mostert and flank Kwagga Smith will have to galvanise the team.
“He leaves that vacuum, but we have all the confidence in the players coming in who can play to their strong points,” said Ackermann. “The other senior players will have to stand up and play that leadership role.”