Lions blow as Whiteley ruled out of Crusaders clash

Cape Town - The Lions have been struck a cruel blow before their away fixture against the defending Super Rugby champions, the Crusaders, with news that captain Warren Whiteley has been ruled out of the clash.

Whiteley was pencilled in to start in the No 8 jumper against the formidable Christchurch outfit, but was ruled out by management after failing a fitness test.

Due to Whiteley's absence, the Lions have been forced to move Kwagga Smith to No 8 from where he will captain the side with Marnus Schoeman starting on the flank.

His place on the bench is filled by Hacjivah Dayimani.

The match kicks-off on Friday, April 26 at 09:35.

Unfortunately @WarrenWhiteley failed his fitness test at Captains run. @SmithKwagga takes over the captaincy and also moves to No.8. @marnusschoeman moves into the starting line up at No.6 flanker. @Hacjivah Dayimani moves onto the bench as loose-forward reserve.#LionsPride pic.twitter.com/8J7invgeCo

— Emirates Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) April 25, 2019

Teams

Crusaders

15 David Havili, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Braydon Ennor, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Billy Harmon, 6 Whetukamokamo Douglas, 5 Sam Whitelock (captain), 4 Quinten Strange, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody

Substitutes: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Harry Allan, 18 Oliver Jager, 19 Michael Dunshea, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Eretara Enarai, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 Ngane Punivai

Lions

15 Ruan Combrinck, 14 Sylvian Mahuza, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Elton Jantjies, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Shaun Reynolds, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Kwagga Smith (captain), 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Stephan Lewies, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Sti Sithole

Substitutes: 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Nathan Mcbeth, 18 Johannes Jonker, 19 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 20 Hacjivah Dayimani, 21 Ross Cronje, 22 Franco Naude, 23 Tyrone Green