Lions lose Taute
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Jaco Taute evades a tackle
The Lions will have to continue their quest for a play-off spot in this year’s ABSA Currie Cup without star fullback Jaco Taute.
u/20 Springbok Taute left the field shortly after halftime in his team’s 22-20 victory over log leaders the Sharks in Johannesburg. With his arm wrapped in his jersey it looked like a serious injury and the worst was expected at the time, fortunately it has now been confirmed as an AC joint injury(shoulder) that will leave him out of action for a maximum period of three weeks.
This means he will miss the do-or-die clash against the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday and also the clash a week later against the Pumas in Johannesburg. The Pumas clash will count for nothing if the Lions fail to beat the Cheetahs this Saturday, ending their Currie Cup dreams for 2010.
Michael Killian will most likely replace Taute on fullback while Deon van Rensburg will take Killian’s place on the wing.
In a surprise move, speedster Wandile Mjekevu might make his return to the senior squad sooner than he might have expected and add even more pace to an already dangerous Lions backline.
Mjekevu was one of very few players who stood out in a dismal Lions Super 14 campaign earlier this year. He underwent surgery on his knee shortly after the tournament and in a bid to regain his form and get match fit, joined up with the Lions u21 squad. After only two games against the Blue Bulls and Sharks he might just warm the bench for the senior side in Bloemfontein this Saturday.
[james@rugby15.co.za]
