VIDEO: Lions wing ready to play on tour after long lay-off

VIDEO: Lions utility back Richard Kriel will face his former team, Zebre in the United Rugby Championship this weekend after a lengthy lay-off due to an operation on his shoulder.

Kriel made his debut for the Lions in the URC against the Stormers a year ago after having spent a season with the Italian outfit.

Kriel told a media briefing on Tuesday that he is raring to go after he underwent a small operation on his shoulder that would’ve kept him off the field for three weeks.

“But then I got an infection, which set me back another four weeks.

“If everything went well with the first operation, I would’ve been out for only three weeks. But with the infection I only managed to come back now,” Kriel said.

“I just want to play having been injured for almost three months now. I was just doing rehab and running straight lines, so it is time to get back and play some footie.”

The speedy back said he was holding thumbs to get an opportunity on tour, especially as the Lions backline has been in such fine form this season.

Lions wing Rabz Maxwane is the leading try scorer in the competition and the team as a whole is third on the statistics list for their attacking play.

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“At the moment the backline is doing so well, that is why I am nipping a bit to see if I can even get into the team.

“Our backline is on fire at the moment and it is just a joy to be part of it.

Kriel revealed that he would love to play centre, just like his brother David is doing for the Bulls, but said he will cover fullback, wing or wherever the team needs him.