(Updated with BNZ Crusaders playing squad)
The Emirates Lions head coach Johan Ackermann has named an extended squad of 25 players for the quarterfinal clash against the Crusaders, with the big surprise being the possible return to action of inspirational captain Warren Whiteley.
Whiteley, who was originally diagnosed with an injury which would keep him out of Rugby for 6 weeks, and hence miss the entire Super Rugby play-offs, is to undergo a fitness test on Thursday.
Undoubtedly the Lions management, players and all of their supporters will be hoping that he is declared fit to play.
Herewith the press release from the Emirates Lions:
Emirates Lions vs BNZ Crusaders (Saturday 23 July 2016 at 16:30 SA Time)
A group of 25 Emirates Lions players have been named from which the 23 will be selected for Saturday’s match in the Vodacom Super Rugby Quarterfinal.
They are:
Dylan Smith, Corné Fourie, Julian Redelinghuys, Jacques van Rooyen, Akker van der Merwe, Malcolm Marx, Franco Mostert, Andries Ferreira, Lourens Erasmus, Warren Whiteley, Ruan Ackermann, Warwick Tecklenbrug, Jaco Kriel, Cyle Brink, Faf de Klerl, Ross Cronjé, Elton Jantjies, Jaco van der Walt, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Courtnall Skosan, Ruan Combrinck, Andries Coetzee, Sylvian Mahuza, Howard Mnisi, Lionel Mapoe.
Warren Whitley will undergo a fitness test on Thursday 21 July before the final call will be made on his availability.
A few players that were in Argentina have a stomach bug but will hopefully be ready to take part in training from Tuesday.
Please note that there will be a curtain raiser at 13:30 SA Time on Saturday when the President’s League final takes place between Jabulani and Southern Knights.
Gates open at 13:00 SA Time.
Ticket prices are R 60.00, R 100.00, R 150.00 and R 250.00 (available from the ticket office at Emirates Airline Park or www.lionsrugby.computicket.com).
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UPDATE ON CRUSADERS SQUAD:
The BNZ Crusaders have confirmed the following squad of 25 players to travel to SA for the quarterfinal clash.
The BNZ Crusaders are confirmed to play the Emirates Lions in Johannesburg at 16:30 SA Time this Saturday (Sunday 02:30 NZ Time) in the Super Rugby quarterfinals. The team will travel to Auckland this evening and onto South Africa tomorrow morning. The travelling squad is as follows:
FORWARDS:
Wyatt Crockett, Alex Hodgman, Mike Alaalatoa, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Ben Funnell, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Scott Barrett, Jimmy Tupou, Matt Todd , Jordan Taufua, Kieran Read (Captain)
BACKS:
Andy Ellis, Mitchell Drummond, Leon Fukofuka, Richie Mo’unga, David Havilli, Kieron Fonotia, Jone Macilai, Johnny McNicholl, Ben Volavola, Ryan Crotty, Israel Dagg, Jack Goodhue.
I really fear for my team in this game.
Experience shows that teams coming off a bye in the round robin stages of the competition are generally quite lethargic and struggle somewhat.
Almost the entire squad was rested last week, What effect will that have on the Lions on Saturday.
Add to that the fact that the Crusaders will be smarting after their loss at the weekend and we have a potential slip up for the home team.
If that happens, it may be that in Super Rugby 2016, Johan Ackermann will be remembered for his tactical gaff against the Jaguares, and not for the brilliant Rugby played by the Lions.
@ Scrumdown:
However, when the Lions played the Sharks after the June break, they came out firing on all cylinders. From reports, the guys that remained at home still trained with full intensity. Maybe, just maybe, we can win this one. I would still have preferred the Sharks, but would the guys have had the same mindset as for the Crusaders?
All the best to the Lions for this game
Mark Bennett and Mark Robertson are the only two Scots in GB 7s squad for Rio. There are two Welshmen in the squad with the other 8 from England.
GB 7s Women’s squad for Rio has one Welsh woman with the rest of the squad from England.
@ Bullscot:
Olympic 7’s is IMHO a croc of shyte.
How can the IRB agree to something where Swaziland / Botswana / Jamaica etc etc etc have more chance of winning the gold medal than a founding member like England, Scotland & Wales.
The Irish scenario is also a farce.
Ulstermen have the right to compete for either GB or the Republic (their choice) in the Olympics, so what happens in this case?
Bear in mind that Northern Ireland is not part of GB, but only of the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland.)
Is there one set of rules for one sport and another for the rest of the Olympic sports?
Eish ek weet nie! This subject gets me flipping hot under the collar.
2 @ Lion4ever:
Either way it’s going to be a tough ask.
Lion4ever wrote:
Based on what I saw of the Sharks at the weekend, the team we sent to Argentina would beat them.
@ Scrumdown:
That team would beat most SA sides.
@ Scrumdown:
@6 Hi Scrumdown didn’t mean to wind you up… there are a lot of questions I was wondering why there were no Ulster players looked at, whether any would have been good enough don’t know as Irish Rugby doesn’t really focus on 7s. Maybe Ulster decided to avoid any potential stress with Irish Rugby to stick to the rugby allegiance on this one. One also wonders about the ‘Olympic Spirit’ of teams picking players who are normally 15 a side specialists for the 7s. At least not too many in the GB squad, Mark Bennett is the only player in the squad who is an international at 15 BUT he has at least played some 7s not just in the qualifying period but also in sometournaments in years gone by. Oh well if it is on council telly here at a decent time I will watch some as I remember the joy from the Commonwealth Games 7s in Glasgow
Bullscot wrote:
Didn’t really wind me up.
I just have some very strong views on the IRB (World Rugby) and what they are (not) doing to promote and DEVELOP the game.
Match officials announced.
Match No.138:Lions v Crusaders
Date : Saturday 23 July 2016
Venue : Emirates Airlines Park, Johannesburg
Kick Off local: 16:30 local
Referee: Craig Joubert
Assistant Ref 1: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant Ref 2:Rasta Rasivhenge
TMO : Marius Jonker
Read more: http://www.superxv.com/super-rugby-match-officials-quarter-finals/#ixzz4EvdLflcp
The other quarter final officials:
Match No.136:Brumbies v Highlanders
Date : Friday 22 July 2016
Venue : GIO Stadium, Canberra
Kick Off local: 18:00 local
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Ref 1:Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Ref 2:Nic Berry
TMO : George Ayoub
Match No.137:Hurricanes v Sharks
Date : Saturday 23 July 2016
Venue : Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Kick Off local: 19:35 local
Referee: Glen Jackson
Assistant Ref 1:Nick Briant
Assistant Ref 2:Paul Williams
TMO : Glenn Newman
Match No.139:Stormers v Chiefs
Date : Saturday 23 July 2016
Venue : DHL Newlands, Cape Town
Kick Off local: 19:00 local
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant Ref 1:Jaco van Heerden
Assistant Ref 2: AJ Jacobs
TMO : Johan Greeff
Read more: http://www.superxv.com/super-rugby-match-officials-quarter-finals/#ixzz4EvduwjtW
Lions
15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Rohan Janse Van Rensburg, 11 Courtnal Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain)/Ruan Ackermann, 7 Warwick Tecklenburg, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Dylon Smith
Substitutes: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Jacques Van Rooyen, 19 Ruan Ackermann/Lourens Erasmus, 20 Cyle Brink, 21 Ross Cronje, 22 Howard Mnisi, 23 Jaco van der Walt/Sylvian Mahuza
14 @ Lion4ever:
Lions have just sent a release that Whiteley has passed his fitness test and is in the team.
van der Walt must pass a fitness test on Saturday.
@ Scrumdown:
Thanks
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