In this the next episode of the Lions Super Rugby Contenders, we will look at the Centres that have been included in the squad.
In the next, and final episode, we’ll cover the back three.
WAYLON MURRAY
Name: Waylon Murray
Position: Centre
Physical: 1.90m; 105kg
Born: 27.04.86, Durban
Province: Golden Lions
Provincial Caps: 74 (Career)
Provincial Points: 115 (23t)
Provincial Debut: 2005 v Lions (Sharks)
Super Rugby Caps: 51 (Career)
Super Rugby Points: 35 (7t)
Super Rugby Debut: 2006 v Crusaders
Test Caps: 3
Test Points: –
Test Debut: 2007 v Samoa
Murray joined the Lions during 2010 from the Sharks after a long career with the Durban based team.
Debuting for the Currie Cup and Super Rugby competitions at 19 and 20 years of age, respectively, Waylon was always likely to be picked for higher honours, something that came to pass at the age os 21.
Murray made his Springbok debut and earned three caps during 2007.
A spate of injuries followed, and Murray spent most of 2009 watching from the sidelines.
However, this powerful centre made his return in 2010 and maintained his former speed, ball possession and talent. Murray was impressive during the 2011 Super Rugby, but after just three games in the Currie Cup, he was ruled out of the competition following injury.
Murray has worked incredibly hard to get his form back and is expected to have a dynamic 2012.
LIONEL MAPOE
Name: Lionel Mapoe
Position: Wing/Centre
Physical: 1.82m; 87kg
Born: 13.07.88, Port Elizabeth
Province: Golden Lions
Provincial Caps: 19 (Career)
Provincial Points: 50 (10t)
Provincial Debut: 2008 v Sharks
Super Rugby Caps: 17 (Career)
Super Rugby Points: 10 (2t)
Super Rugby Debut: 2010 v Hurricanes
A very talented youngster who has been somewhat injury prone for the past two years.
2009 was the last time Mapoe was able to stand up and be noticed for his speed and skills, and 2010 saw Mapoe sidelined due to contractual disputes, and he was injured for most of the 2011 Currie Cup competition.
However, Mapoe is recovered and ready to make a comeback in 2012, and much is expected from Mapoe who’s hunger and determination make him a threat to any opponent on the field.
In the few games where he did play in recent times, coach John Mitchell has used Lionel in both the Centre and on the Wing.
Lionel has had to withdraw from the first game of the Super Rugby season once again due to injury, this time a hamstring strain.
JACO TAUTE
Name: Jaco Taute
Position: Fullback/Centre
Physical: 1.90m; 98kg
Born: 21.03.91, Springs
Province: Golden Lions
Provincial Caps: 27 (Career)
Provincial Points: 63 (12t; 1p)
Provincial Debut: 2009 v Boland
Super Rugby Caps: 19 (Career)
Super Rugby Points: 30 (6t)
Super Rugby Debut: 2010 v Western Force
Taute may be just 20 year old, but he has already succeeded in making a name for himself, and will no doubt go a long way in the game. Taute made his Currie Cup debut at 18 years of age, his international Super Rugby debut at 19 in 2010, and represented South Africa at the U20 Junior World Championships that same year.
Taute is a huge talent and has grown tremendously in stature over the past year.
A fine attacking fullback, who is safe under the high ball, Taute scored seven tries in the 2011 Currie Cup, making him the 3rd highest try scorer of the competition.
Taute was a nominee in the SA Rugby Player Awards in 2011, nominated as Currie Cup player of the Tournament, but he lost out to teammate and captain, Joshua Strauss.
Although bracketed as both a Centre and Fullback by the Lions management, it is in fact doubtfull that we will see much of this young man in the midfield during the 2012 Super Rugby campaign.
ALWYN HOLLENBACH
Name: Alwyn Hollenbach
Position: Centre
Physical: 1.88m; 100kg
Born: 14.06.85, Johannesburg
Province: Golden Lions
Provincial Caps: 70 (Career)
Provincial Points: 90 (18t)
Provincial Debut: 2004 v Sharks
Super Rugby Caps: 8 (Career)
Super Rugby Points: 5 (1t)
Super Rugby Debut: 2006 v Lions (Cheetahs)
Hollenbach began his professional rugby career with the Cheetahs and returned to his home town of Johannesburg in 2009.
Alwyn has grown with each match played in the Lions’ jersey and his consistency has ensured a regular place in the starting lineup.
A massive Currie Cup campaign in 2011 has ensured that much is expected from Alwyn during 2012 by both the Lions management and supporters.
DYLAN DES FOUNTAIN
Name: Dylan des Fountain
Position: Utility Back
Physical: 1.87m; 95kg
Born: 07.06.85, Cape Town
Province: Golden Lions
Provincial Caps: 31 (Career)
Provincial Points: 25 (5t)
Provincial Debut: 2007 v Lions (Western Province)
Super Rugby Caps: 24 (Career)
Super Rugby Points: 20 (4t)
Super Rugby Debut: 2007 v Chiefs
A talented and exceptionally creative midfield player, Des Fountain made his debut for the Lions during the 2011 Super Rugby competition where he cemented his spot as a regular in the starting line up.
Des Fountain started his professional career in 2004 with the Bulls where he remained until moving to his birth place to join the Stormers in 2007.
Des Fountain made a name for himself during his four years with the Cape Town franchise, but was not given as much game time as he would have liked.
Since his move to the Lions, Des Fountain has improved in leaps and bounds and is fast becoming a household name in South African rugby.
Currently sporting a medium length injury,, des Fountain is expected to miss at least the first half of the Super Rugby campaign.
DOPPIES LA GRANGE
Name: Doppies la Grange
Position: Centre
Physical: 1.82m; 95kg
Born: 02.12.81, Free State
Province: Golden Lions
Provincial Caps: 92 (Career)
Provincial Points: 120 (24t)
Provincial Debut: 2003 v Western Samoa
Super Rugby Caps: 65 (Career)
Super Rugby Points: 25 (5t)
Super Rugby Debut: 2003 v Reds
La Grange is a solid inside centre known for his great upper-body strength, developed during his days as a South African schoolboy wrestling champion.
La Grange has grown in stature in recent years and is a key communicator in the backline.
La Grange has been dogged by injury throughout his career, but he astounded his coaches and teammates by making a strong comeback each time.
Most recently during the 2011 where he was appointed captain of the MTN Lions during the Super Rugby, but both his season and captaincy were curtailed through injury.
His return at the end of the Currie Cup once again proved his skill, determination and strength. He will be giving his all in 2012 to ensure that it will be his best year yet.
OVERVIEW
All in all, the Lions have a competent group of midfield players.
Doppies has grown in stature and self belief since the arrival of John Mitchell at the Lions.
Hollenbach showed in the 2011 Currie Cup campaign that he does not need to play second fiddle to ANY centre in south Africa.
I think we will see the Lions using Lionel Mapoe more in the centre than on the wing, and indeed, the few games that I saw Lionel playing centre in last year, I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw. His seeming ongoing injury concerns are however a cause for worry for the Lions brains trust.
For me, the big test for this Lions midfield will not be the South african sides, but rather how they manage to surpress the threats posed by the dynamic and elusive midfields from the Antipodean teams.