Lions give 'Bone Collector' a new role
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has revealed his team to face the Blues in Auckland on Saturday.
In the pack, Willem Alberts, known as the ‘Bone Collector’ in the rugby world, moves to lock to partner with Marvin Orie. In the front row, Jan-Henning Campher moves from the bench to the No.2 jersey and he is joined in the front row by Frans van Wyk who takes over from Carlu Sadie.
READ: Blues rest a few stars for lowly Lions
Meanwhile, Ruan Vermaak, Hacjivah Dayimani and Marnus Schoeman form a new-look loose trio.
In the backline, Manuel Rass returns to action in the No.13 jersey. while Jamba Ulengo recovered sufficiently from a quad contusion to be included in the starting line-up.
Wandisile Simelane was not considered due to a Grade 1 MCL tear in his right knee. He will be reassessed in the coming week.
Tyrone Green moves to fullback and Courtnall Skosan takes over the No.11 jersey.
Lions: 15 Tyrone Green, 14 Jamba Ulengo, 13 Manuel Rass 12 Daniel Kriel, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies (captain), 9 Andre Warner, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Ruan Vermaak, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Frans van Wyk, 2 Jan-Henning Campher, 1 Dylan Smith.
Replacements: 16 Pieter Jansen, 17 Sithembiso Sithole, 18 Carlu Sadie 19 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 20 Len Massyn, 21 Morné van den Berg, 22 Shaun Reynolds, 23 Andries Coetzee.
Date: Saturday, March 14
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 16.25 (05.25 SA time; 03.35 GMT)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)
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