Lions in SA
Rose pulled from Lions line-up
2009-06-03 15:27
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Out the Lions match (File)
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Johannesburg - Earl Rose has been withdrawn from the Golden Lions squad by Springbok coach Peter de Villiers and will not play against the touring British and Irish Lions at Coca-Cola Park on Wednesday night.
This follows a request from De Villiers that Rose, who was selected on the bench, be given the opportunity to start.
However, the Golden Lions management stuck to their guns and permission for Rose, as a member of the Springbok squad, to play in the match was withdrawn by De Villiers.
Bok Media Manager Anthony Mackaiser has confirmed that Rose will no longer be involved in Wednesday's game.
The Lions had originally named Rose on the bench, with Louis Ludik down to start in the No 15 jersey and veteran Bok Andre Pretorius at flyhalf.
Rose failed to turn up for training with the Lions on Tuesday, after being named in both the Springbok and Emerging Bok squads to face the British Lions later this month. The understanding by the Golden Lions was that he would be given the opportunity to practice and play with the Golden Lions this week.
Shandre Frolick has been named on the Golden Lions' bench in place of Rose.
It is clear from the latest incident that De Villiers and Rose have a very close bond and will certainly raise eyebrows.
On Monday, after being questioned about the selection of the out-of-form Rose in the Bok team to face the British Lions, De Villiers likened the uncapped back Earl Rose to golf legend Tiger Woods.
De Villiers, in defending some of his selections - such as Ruan Pienaar's inclusion despite a lengthy lay-off and Rose - produced a real pearler.
"Ruan (Pienaar) is the Tiger Woods of rugby and I believe Earl Rose is in the same class," he said.
Revised Golden Lions squad:
Louis Ludik, Michael Killian, Jannie Boshoff, Doppies la Grange, Dusty Noble, Andre Pretorius, Jano Vermaak, Willem Alberts, Franco van der Merwe, Cobus Grobbelaar (captain), Willem Stoltz, Brad Mockford, Gert Muller, Willie Wepener, Lawrence Sephaka.
Replacements: Ethienne Reynecke, JC Janse van Rensburg, Ernst Joubert, Todd Clever, Chris Jonck, Walter Venter, Shandre Frolick.