Injury crisis at CUT
The CUT-Ixias casualties list increased after their 3-41 defeat at the hands of Wits in Johannesburg on Monday, February 13.
CUT looked promising at the start of the match but individual errors and injuries saw them suffer their second consecutive defeat in the tournament.
"I don't think the scoreboard reflects the true nature of the game. It was a tight affair, especially for the first 30 minutes, but it took a horrendous turn regards to the injuries" head coach Liebernber told rugby365.com.
"There is definitely a sense that without the injuries we could have been more competitive and the game could have panned out better for us,"
CUT-Ixias headed into the Wits clash with an already broken side after losing hooker Theunis Truter during training due to a torn cartilage (knee) and Darren Adonis due to the hamstring.
The coach list grew as an additional four players were added which includes Rayno Nel.
A key player in the CUT's set-up, the lock has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to a broken jaw.
"A hooker and a lock are key players to loose especially with the [Bloemfientein derby against Shimlas] coming up it's definitely a blow.
"However injuries does open the door for upcoming guys to step up. I think we have a talented enough squad to perform. Just think we need to work on executing our opportunities better and eliminating individual errors,
"And I think I need to get my guys some head gear to prevent them from getting injured, " Liebenberg said.
CUT-Ixias will hosts their first match of the tournament on February 20. The home side will welcome their Bloemfontein counterparts Shimlas and will hope to turn the tide.
"We have taken a little of strain, but we definitely not down and out.
"It's still early in the season and now we have five home games coming with a game in hand. So we definitely can change things around," he added.
By Leezil Hendricks
@Leezil07
@Rugby365.com
