Breaking news, guys… Henno Mentz has left Durban and will turn out for the Lions in the 2009 Super 14.
The speedy winger has seen his shares dip alarmingly in Sharks country over the last few seasons and has seemingly grasped the prospect of further Super rugby exposure with both hands. Had he stayed in Durban, he would probably be playing Vodacom Cup, as he is now way down in a pecking order that includes the likes of Odwa Ndungane, JP Pietersen, Waylon Murray, Chris Jordaan, Lwazi Mvovo and Wes Bodmer.
Lions coach Loffie Eloff will have another Bok winger in his team this year, as Ashwin Willemse has returned from a brief stint in France. Along with a finally-fit Andre Pretorius and the talismanic Mossie Fourie, the Lions will at least have some genuine international experience among the backs. It seems as though skipper Ernst Joubert will miss the opening period of the competition through injury, though.
Speaking of injured loose forwards, Cheetahs captain Juan Smith is in a race against time to be fit for his side’s warmup games, against the Sharks in Abu Dhabi and then against the Bulls back in SA. Smith has been stood down following a number of concussions last year and having witnessed teammate Chris Rossouw’s career cut short due to too many knocks to the head, the popular flanker has decided to take his time.
Smith is pretty keen to get at least one warmup game under his belt, though, before the season starts for real in the second week of February.
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Cheers Hennas. Thanks for all the good memories. Those two broken legs were just a bridge too far for you, though.
Two injury prone wingers-mentz was past his best long ago
His handling was always his biggest problem. Hopefully he can have a good season for us.
if u have poor hands u have poor hands.willemse and mentz,eish unlucky
@walter van transvaal.co.za (Comment 3) : I hope so too. He’s a nice guy.
@PJLD (Comment 4) : can’t say contracting that pair makes a huge amount of sense. The Lions are playing pretty dumb in the contract market at the moment.
@robdylan (Comment 6) : thats putting it mildly rob
@PJLD (Comment 7) : yeah – I’m a nice guy 🙂
Story of the Lions, always get everybody else’s discards and loose the good guys.
Willemse is not on contract, he is just going to get match fees if he gets selected.
And it sounds like it’s the same with Mentz
@walter van transvaal.co.za (Comment 10) : Thats the same line WP through with Wylie but it seems to be somewhat different.
Why’s this bad news? Mentz was hardly making it into the S14 squad. Let the Lions take him and he can get actually get some game time.
@klempie (Comment 13) : did we ever say this was bad news?
“finally-fit Andre Pretorius”. For how long? 🙄
@klempie (Comment 15) : 1.5 warm up games.
The dude cant even survive a flight.
@robdylan (Comment 14) : whoooops. I read “Bad news” as “Breaking news”. 😳
@PJLD (Comment 16) : So does that mean the Lions will be blessed with Earl Rose again? 😛
@klempie (Comment 17) : I mean “Breaking news” as “Bad news”. Wow. Today is off to a baaaaad start.
@klempie (Comment 18) : Lets hope so 😈
Loffie reckons he now no longer has depth issues…
Ja, right!
@robdylan (Comment 21) : hehe
@robdylan (Comment 21) : The comical Ali of SA rugby….
@McLovin (Comment 23) : I thought that was Ludeke’s title…
@robdylan (Comment 24) : With SA Rugby it’s difficult to pinpoint just one…
@McLovin (Comment 25) : Good point.
@klempie (Comment 26) : yeah, exactly 🙂
Come on guys, I like Mentz and I’m hopefull he can add something to the Lions side!
@walter van transvaal.co.za (Comment 28) : Maybe a fresh start with a new side is all that he needs. He certainly did the Sharks proud in his first couple of seasons there. Just lately he’s really been struggling with his hands.
@walter van transvaal.co.za (Comment 28) : Think of him as a prezzie from us to you. 😉
@robdylan (Comment 29) :
I think he has always struggled a bit with the hands…
@klempie (Comment 30) :
Thanks!
@walter van transvaal.co.za (Comment 31) : Henno is a confidence player. Loffie will bring out the best in him, I’m sure.
Walter, I see that Jan van Zyl from the Leopards is also in the squad. Maybe he’d be a better option? The guy certainly scores SHITLOADS of tries.
@robdylan (Comment 32) : Are you taking the piss??
@klempie (Comment 34) : no – for once, I’m not. I hope Henno does well at the Lions.
@robdylan (Comment 35) : No. I’m talking about Loffie bringing out the best in confidence players. 😯
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=6&click_id=4&art_id=vn20090108071601695C282550
hehehe
@klempie (Comment 36) : Loffie is a great man-manager.
@robdylan (Comment 38) : Well he needs to start doing some then cos the Lions are kaaaak.
Henno is a great guy and I wish him all the best at the Lion. I know they can sure use him and just may be a change is all Henno needs. Good luck Henno.
Another lengthy season awaits Lions fans.. 😕
Other teams like the Sharks and Stormers best hope the Lions can scalp a couple of the teams in contention in order to make it easier for a home semi.
@CoffeeShopBok;-) (Comment 41) : 🙂
But you guys buy such quality players though? 😉
@robdylan (Comment 33) :
Still training with us but from what I’ve seen of the guy I doubt that he is S14 material.
Ok this is seriously way too quiet
@PJLD (Comment 44) : sorry – I’m awake now 🙂
Henno gave the Sharks good service, and he used to be a strong, quick and determined ball-carrier.
I hope that he and Ash can excell at the Lions – they are good and loyal players.
LIFE!
@PJLD (Comment 47) : Any good?
Not really
@McLovin (Comment 48) :
he is being ‘bugged’ by fleas and flu… 😆
@Ice (you can leave your hat on!) (Comment 50) : fleas? 😯
@McLovin (Comment 51) :
Uh-Huh… 😈
mentz was gone when he got dropped from the boks. he never bounced back from the rejection and has limped along since. maybe a change of scenery will sort him out.
@Ice (you can leave your hat on!) (Comment 52) : Sounds bad. Get well soon PJLD.
@Ice (you can leave your hat on!) (Comment 52) : 👿 😆
@Ice (you can leave your hat on!) (Comment 52) : da danaaa na naaa na na n naaaa
@McLovin (Comment 54) : Im over the bug dude, but theres something trying to eat me!
@PJLD (Comment 57) : Can you see it?
@robdylan (Comment 56) :
Thats sound like the Beatles.. ❓
@Ice (you can leave your hat on!) (Comment 59) : he he. It was meant to be Joe Cocker 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 60) :
OHHHHH, Now i see (hear)- Dont worry – I am a little on the deaf side… 😉
Hamba kahle Henno…all the best with The Lions… 😐