Lions make another spate of changes
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:42
The selection musical chairs at the Lions continues with another spate of changes for their match against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday.
In the backline Wigan Pekeur, Burton Francis and Jano Vermaak replace Tonderai Chavanga, Carlos Spencer and JP Joubert at right wing, flyhalf and scrumhalf respectively.
In the pack both props change, with JC Janse van Rensburg getting a start ahead of Heinke van der Merwe at loosehead and Ross Geldenhuys coming in for Kevin Buys at tighthead, while at lock George Earle replaces Willem Stoltz.
There are numerous changes on the bench too, the most interesting of which is former All Black pivot Spencer reduced to a supporting role after his much heralded move to Johannesburg during the off-season.
Can the Lions pull off the surprise of the Super 14 and score a shock win in Christchurch with the team they have selected? Or can it actually get worse than their capitulation against the Waratahs last week, when the home team set up one new record after another? Time will tell.
Lions: 15 Earl Rose, 14 Wigan Pekeur, 13 Walter Venter, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Wandile Mjekevu, 10 Burton Francis, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Todd Clever, 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (captain), 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 George Earle, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Hannes Franklin, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Charles Emslie, 17 Heinke van der Merwe, 18 Willem Stoltz, 19 Robert Kruger / Jacques Lombaard, 20 Jacques Coetzee, 21 Carlos Spencer, 22 Michael Killian.
Date: Saturday, March 20
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 17.30 (04.30 GMT)
Referee: Keith Brown (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Matthew Stanish (New Zealand), James McPhail (New Zealand)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
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