Doppies' departure a 'succession plan'
It may seem like madness for the struggling Lions to release one of their most reliable players to an overseas club, but the departure of Doppies la Grange to Italian outfit Benetton Treviso is part of a "succession plan".
Lions coach John Mitchell, speaking to this website during his team's Australasian tour, spoke of the need to ensure the player can "extend" his career.
La Grange, who has not featured for the Lions since he underwent surgery in March to repair a serious elbow injury, will join up with the Italian outfit, Treviso, next month.
That means he has effectively played his last match for the struggling outfit – who have also lost other senior centres like Springbok Waylon Murray and Alwyn Hollenbach to long-term injuries.
The desperate situation forced Mitchell to play two of his regular wings, Lionel Mapoe and Jaco Taute, in the midfield – where they featured in the loss to the Blues in Auckland last Friday and again against the defending champion Reds in Brisbane this coming Saturday.
Asked about the decision to let La Grange go, Mitchell said it was part of a "succession plan".
"Doppies [la Grange] has been a good player for us, but he has also been injured a lot in the last two years and hasn't been able to sustain full campaigns," Mitchell told this website.
"I think going to Italy will be great for him and his family.
"He has been a long-standing servant to the [Golden Lions Rugby] Union, but we do need a succession plan," the coach said of the 30-year-old player who has played 70-odd Super Rugby matches and just as many games on the domestic scene in the Currie Cup since he made his Lions debut in 2003.
"Our succession plans involve the development of our youth and we do have some good youth coming through. That's the avenue we have to go [through], nurture our players and provide our future with.
"At the end of the day the game doesn't hold a place for you forever, so you have to move on.
"It is good for Doppies that he has an opportunity playing rugby in a country where he is probably going to be able to play for a lot longer."
La Grange, a solid inside centre known for his great upper-body strength, developed during his days as a South African schoolboy wrestling champion, has was the cornerstone in a Lions backline that won the Currie Cup last year – their first trophy success in 12 years.
However, La Grange has been dogged by injury throughout his career and Mitchell feel the veteran will be better served by playing in a less demanding environment.
By Jan de Koning
