TRUTH BE TOLD

Jaco Taute

The Xerox Lions will be without impressive young fullback Jaco Taute for the remainder of the Absa Currie Cup league stages, after a shoulder injury put him out of action for at least three weeks.

Taute walked off the field in his side’s 22-20 win over the Sharks this past weekend with his arm in a sling, with Lions officials hoping he would not be sidelined should they qualify for the playoff rounds of the Currie Cup competition.

On Monday, however, Taute underwent a scan that showed no torn ligaments but he will still need some rest before returning to the field.

Luckily for them this injury took place after their inform winger, Deon van Rensburg recovered from his own injury. van Rensburg returned to the playing field from the bench against the Sharks. 

Deon van Rensburg

In this year’s Currie cup, a lot of praise has been given to the left wingers in the competition, seeing that the two top try scorers are left wings in Bjorn Basson and Lwazi Mvovo, the right wings have been quiet in comparison, so naming the top right wing in this year’s competition required some thought…. van Rensburg missed a couple of games, but before he picked up the injury he was without a doubt the best in his position, when he came off the bench, one could see he was eager to get involved. 

van Rensburg’s place on the right wing was taken by Michael Killian,and Jannie Boshoff was played on the left. Boshoff should retain his position on the left wing, where he impressed. As these things often happen in rugby, the injury to Taute will be the perfect opportunity for van Rensburg to return to the right wing, 

Jannie Boshoff

The Fullback spot should be filled by the Lions’ top player in the super14, Michael Killian, although he has not yet reached the form he produced when playing in the super14, he is a player I rate highly, he is able to play right across the back three, personally I feel his move to the wing and the fact that the opposition have been keeping a close eye on him has been the reason for his good rather than outstanding Currie cup season so far. Killian’s move to the back, if the coach decides to take my advice, is one that excites me, his pace and low center of gravity will surely trouble the Cheetahs this weekend. 

Michael Killian

although I am impressed by the young Jaco Taute, I do feel this weekend’s back three will have more spark with Killian at fullback, and if the lions spread the ball wide as often as they’d like , tries will be scored! I’m not a Lions supporter, but one can only admire the turn around they’ve made from the super14, and they are playing an attractive brand of rugby. a win over the Cheetahs this coming weekend, will be seen as an upset, but the Lions have a realistic chance of reaching the semi’s, they took down the log leading sharks… and even if it was at home , they were impressive enough to convince me they are capable of beating the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein. 

Hanjo