Carlos Spencer back with Lions for his century
James Mortimer - (11/03/2010)
The winless Lions have made six changes to their side to play the Waratahs this weekend, with former All Black Carlos Spencer back as he tries to help his team break a series of droughts.
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Their record against the Waratahs is horrendously one sided, with the Lions only win being a 28-21 victory in Johannesburg way back in 2001. In fact, eight of their losses against the Waratahs have been by 13+ points, and six times NSW have passed 40 points.
Spencer will look to ignite his side with a landmark of his own.
The only player from Rebel Sport Super rugby’s inaugural season in 1996, the 34 year old will play his 100th Super rugby game, replacing Burton Francis at flyhalf.
Elsewhere in the backline, Earl Rose comes in at fullback, while Wandile Mjekevu comes in on the left wing for Dusty Noble.
In the pack, Hannes Franklin, Franco van der Merwe and Heinke van der Merwe come in for Charles Emslie, George Earle and JC Janse van Rensburg respectively.
While it is a heap of changes, the team is as strong a unit as the Lions can field. Spencer’s guiles and Mjekevu’s attacking genius should mean that the South African side should be able to mount some promising attacks.
Their tight five is first choice, and while the Waratahs are notoriously hard to beat at home, their lacklustre display against the Sharks will give the Lions some hope. This was a game that the Lions had clearly targeted as winnable, after resting key players including three of their front line tight five against the Brumbies.
The Lions have the fourth best attacking record in terms of tries scored.
Lions side to play Waratahs
15 Earl Rose, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Walter Venter, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Wandile Mjekevu, 10 Carlos Spencer, 9 JP Joubert, 8 Todd Clever, 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (captain), 5 Willem Stoltz, 4 Franco van der Merwe, 3 Kevin Buys, 2 Hannes Franklin, 1 Heinke van der Merwe. Replacements: 16 Charles Emslie, 17 JC Janse van Rensburg, 18 Jacques Lombaard, 19 Robert Kruger, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Burton Francis, 22 Wigan Pekeur.