Injury concerns for desperate Lions
REACTION: The Lions will hold thumbs that loosehead prop Morgan Naude, who injured his AC joint in his shoulder against Benetton on Sunday, will not have to undergo surgery.
The Lions remain winless with three narrow defeats to the Stormers, Edinburgh and Benetton coming by a combined total of eight points.
Benetton had only lost three of their last 17 home games but one of those was against the Lions in March.
The 25-year-old Naude left the field in the 18th minute and was replaced by Corne Fourie.
Depending on the seriousness of Naude’s injury, he could be out between two to 12 weeks.
This usually takes about 2 weeks for a grade one injury, 6 weeks for a grade two injury, and up to 12 weeks for a grade three injury.
According to coach Ivan van Rooyen an assessment will be made on Monday morning.
Another injury concern is lock Darrien Landsberg who is struggling with a hamstring injury. He was replaced by Willem Alberts right after half-time.
Speaking after the game, coach Van Rooyen said the conditions were difficult due to rain.
“Tough field conditions, it’s been raining quite a bit. I think you could see at the end of the game both teams were quite fatigued which obviously made the game very physical,” he said.
The Lions were never in the lead during the game although they had 68% possession in the last ten minutes and they made a total of 142 carries as they fought valiantly to score.
Reflecting on the game, the coach conceded that his side did not take opportunities when they were in Benettons’ half of the field.
“I think they probably won the breakdown battle. At crucial times, especially in the opposition 22 when we were close to their try-line, either it was individual error or they turned the ball over.”
The Lions in fact lost 15 turnovers while only making six. However their set-piece was on point and in the scrums and line-outs dominated Benetton.
But in the defence department they made 112 tackles compared to Benettons 193 while they missed 12 tackles.
“In the first half, we probably spent enough time there to walk away with a couple of points and we didn’t manage to do that.
“Good fight for the guys to come back and score the try but in the end, didn’t play good enough making crucial errors at crucial times which allowed them to spend the last three, four minutes in our half.
“It’s a six day turn-around so its a short turn-around for us with a full travel day tomorrow [Monday] to Wales and then we will get ready to play against the Scarlets.”
