A horrific moment has rocked the Super Rugby competition as Highlanders captain James Lentjes suffered a horrific broken leg in their match against the Melbourne Rebels.
It was 29 minutes in with the Rebels going on the attack to try to extend their 21-7 lead.
Watch every match of the 2020 Vodafone Super Rugby Season LIVE & On-Demand on KAYO. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
As the Rebels worked their way across the field, a clean-out saw the freak injury as three Rebels pushed Lentjes away from the ruck.
Unfortunately, it pushed him over, with his ankle facing the wrong way on the ground in a sickening moment.
“Oh no, you don’t want to look at that people,” Justin Marshall said in Sky commentary. “He’s in a lot of trouble and you can understand why referee Paul Williams has gone immediately to the medical team. Very unpleasant and we really feel for James Lentjes and hopefully they can really get his pain under control very quickly, it’s definitely a break.”
The Hurricanes were shocked and got in a huddle, while the Rebels players were equally rocked by sight.
That is one horrific leg injury.Source:FOX SPORTS
Marshall praised the Rebels for stopping immediately despite the opportunity to score.
“We’re all about player safety in the modern game and this is a horrendous issue and I’m very happy we’re doing the right thing for the game. It’s more important than what’s happening in the match.”
“This is a sad way to see such a fine player leave the field James Lentjes and it’s great to see the Rebels, almost to a man coming across,” Tony Johnson agreed. “This is great sportsmanship from the Melbourne Rebels.”
Oh holy shit. That is a horrible injury for Lentjes. Far out.
Two runaway tries to winger Andrew Kellaway helped the Rebels to a thrilling first Super Rugby win in Dunedin, beating the Highlanders 28-22.
The former NSW Waratahs’ flyer, who joined the Rebels this season after an overseas playing stint, scored a long-distance try in each half of Friday’s absorbing contest.
In the 21st minute, Kellaway pounced on a Highlanders error and burnt rival winger Jona Nerike in an 80m effort, before intercepting an Aaron Smith pass in the 52nd minute to grab his second.
The 24-year-old played 25 matches over three seasons for the Waratahs but failed to really make his mark on the competition.
The Rebels made a flying start, scoring at a point a minute to lead 21-0 midway through the first half, with centre Billy Meakes and rampaging hooker Anaru Rangi both touching down.
With their big men doing plenty of damage, they dominated the set piece and showed plenty of energy in defence.
The Highlanders showed some heart after the sickening injury.Source:Getty Images
The home side scored in the final minute of the first half through All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith to trail only 21-14, which was a stunning feat given the Highlanders had only had 37 per cent of possession.
A 63rd-minute try by Highlanders replacement winger Scott Gregory and a penalty goal put the margin to within a converted try and set up a thrilling finale, with Scott Gregory and Meakes both yellow-carded.
The Highlanders lost Nareki for the final two minutes for the same offence as Gregory – taking out Dane Haylett-Petty as he went for a high ball. The home side had one final lineout after fulltime to try to score the match- winner but the Rebels held on for a well-deserved result.
The loss was the first for the Highlanders at home to an Australian team since a 2014 defeat by the Western Force.
— with AAP
Source: Read Full Article