'The scariest thing I've ever seen': Fans rally behind Highlanders captain James Lentjes following gruesome leg injury
Fans worldwide have lent their support to Highlanders captain James Lentjes after he suffered a gruesome leg injury during his side’s 28-22 defeat to the Rebels in Dunedin on Friday.
Lentjes was left writhing in agony after breaking his leg from an awkward ruck clean out in the 29th minute of the match, with his left foot and ankle bent badly out of shape.
The 29-year-old was promptly taken to Dunedin Hospital, and Highlanders head coach Aaron Mauger expected the injury to keep his squad’s skipper sidelined for the remainder of the Super Rugby campaign.
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WARNING: Video contains graphic content
?? A lot of respect for James Lentjes. #SuperRugby #HIGvREB
WRAP: https://t.co/5TwIPKtcn8 pic.twitter.com/Rq5eVWTNsR
— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) February 28, 2020
“Jimmy’s broken so I imagine it will be a season [ending injury],” Mauger told reporters post-match.
“They took him off to hospital. They had him here for about 15 minutes just trying to settle him and then off to hospital.
“Jimmy’s been outstanding all throughout pre-season, he’s led our game really well over the last four games, including tonight, so we’re really gutted for him.
“He’s had some pretty bad luck over the years with injuries. The lads are devastated for him.”
Highlanders halfback and vice-captain Aaron Smith echoed his coach’s sentiments, labelling Lentjes’ injury as “horrific”.
“My prayers are with him. He’s our spiritual leader, he’s everything a Highlander man is and we’re thinking of him,” Smith said.
“I hope he’s alright right now. I hope he’ll have the best medical staff. You don’t play rugby to see that sort of stuff.”
Support for Lentjes has extended beyond the Highlanders camp, with punters from around the globe offering their condolences and well-wishes for the injury-stricken loose forward.
James Lentjes was just convulsing and thrashing around on the ground and that is without doubt the scariest thing I've ever seen at live sport. Hope it's not as bad as I think it will be. #HIGvREB
— Mark Currie (@MarkCurrieNZ) February 28, 2020
Horrible injury to James Lentjes
Damn!!!
Feel bad for the player #HIGREB #SuperRugby— I Know Him ? (@carlsontinashe) February 28, 2020
James Lentjes, that’s tough. Heal quick, heal well. #SuperRugby #HIGVREB
— Nick Turnbull (@ArgyleSport) February 28, 2020
Absolutely gutted for James Lentjes. Terrible injury. Get well soon.#HIGvREB#SuperRugby#SSRugby
— L?? D?VIDS? (@lee_davidse) February 28, 2020
Wishing a speedy recovery to James Lentjes! That’s a horrible injury! @Highlanders #SuperRugby
— RubaDubDub (@BrendonWessels) February 28, 2020
James Lentjes ??? cruel #HIGvREB
— Lloyd Jones (@LloydJones1882) February 28, 2020
That James Lentjes injury is absolutely brutal! Poor bastard #SuperRugby
— Luke Robinson (@whakataneluke) February 28, 2020
Just seen the most horrible thing. I wish the @Highlanders captain James Lentjes a blessed and speedy recovery ?? #SuperRugby #highlandersvsrebels
— tryscorers (@Tryscorers) February 28, 2020
Horrific injury to James Lentjes. Praying for a speedy recovery. #HIGvREB
— Brian Kolia (@BKolia) February 28, 2020
Nasty and an unfortunate injury for James Lentjes. Praying for a quick recovery #HIGvREB
— asdf:lkj (@nabwela) February 28, 2020
Lentjes’ injury compounds frustrations for the Highlanders, who now lie in 13th place and are rooted to the bottom of the New Zealand conference with just one win from their opening four outings.
The flailing Dunedin franchise will now travel to South Africa and Argentina for a two-match tour where they will face the Bulls and Jaguares.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
2 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
2 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to comments