Lions' Springbok star Kriel suffers surgery setback
The Lions' Springbok flanker Jaco Kriel faces an extended stay on the sideline.
The Lions revealed that 'due to unforeseen circumstances' the shoulder surgery the star loose forward underwent was 'unsuccessful'.
He is set for another round of surgery and is expected to be sidelined for another six months.
The 28-year-old, capped 11 times for South Africa, suffered the injury in the Rugby Championship Test against Australia in Perth on September 9 last year.
He underwent surgery almost immediately and was expected to miss only a few rounds of Super Rugby.
"Jaco should return by the end of February," Lions coach Swys de Bruin told rugby365 in an interview earlier this year.
However, he now requires a second round of surgery and could be sidelined for the rest of the season - which means he will also miss the England Test series.
It is a massive blow to the Lions, who have are currently at the top of the Super Rugby standings - after three comfortable wins against the Sharks (26-19), Jaguares (47-27) and Bulls (49-35).
However, the team does have enough depth to cope with the setback.
The preferred loose trio in the opening rounds was Albertus Smith, Cyle Brink and captain Warren Whiteley.
Regular lock Franco Mostert showed against the Bulls last weekend that he can do a fine job at blindside flanker, while the Lions also have adequate cover in Marnus Schoeman and Hacjivah Dayimani.
Courtesy of @rugby365
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wel the crusaders were beaten by a queensland reds side that hadnt beaten them at home since 1999 and queensland reds partied like it was 1999
Go to commentsThink it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
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