Lions centre Doppies la Grange – the other Porties boy in the news today – has apparently decided to turn his back on the Joburg strugglers to play for Treviso in the Italian league.
Doppies, whose parents christened him Gideon back in 1981 (to my knowledge, nobody ever calls him that) has battled his way through a succession of injuries and form dips to the point where he’s now considered one of the mainstays in the Lions backline; furthermore, he was named Lions vice captain for this year’s Super Rugby campaign.
That notwithstanding, though, the 30-year-old has opted to leave Joburg on 30 June to join Franco Smith’s side in Italy for the next two years. Speculation is rife that the ongoing uncertainty relating to both the Lions’ financial position, as well as the likelihood that they’ll even play Super Rugby next year, may have played a huge role in la Grange’s decision.
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No more Hugh Bladen telling us that Doppies was a wrestler in high school. We’re now left with Eben Etzebeth whose uncle was a wrestler
Pretty big loss for the Lions
@slammerboy (Comment 1) : Don’t forget about Brussouw!
@vanmartin (Comment 2) : he won’t be the last to leave
Lions se Doppie(s) geklink
Long years of service . But he was getting a bit old and injury prone .. not to worried … yet ..
Let’s just get Rhodes and Pat back asap.
Speculation is rife …certainly the buzz word of the 2012 rugby season.
Wish Doppies all the best has been a great servant to Lions Rugby over the years.
@Franshark (Comment 5) : Somebody had to say it
@Zibbie (Comment 6) : BIG loss to you guys imho. Which quality centres do you really have?
Hollenbach has seriously been found wanting at SR level. When is Murray coming back from injury?
@Ben (Comment 10) : Except for Taute of course.
@Ben (Comment 10) : Combrinck will get a chance soon to show what he can do at this level.
You reckon Taute should be kept at centre? I don’t think he has enough pace for fullback. Maybe just me but I think he needs to unhook the trailer.
@slammerboy (Comment 12) : Combrinck = irrelevant.
I like him at FB as well. Thrives in space. But centre is where he is needed the most for the Lions right now I reckon. He’s a quality player for sure but I’m far from convinced that he’ll cut the Bok squad soon playing there. So with the players interest in mind I think its best for him to move back to FB where we are a bit thin in this country.
@Ben (Comment 10) :
But now you have to also ask if Doppies was REALLY n quality center . He was solid . But i think its time for somebody younger to make the step up .
We will see about Taute . I dont mind where he plays . As long as he plays im all smiles …