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Lions rocked by Whiteley withdrawal

rugby25 April 2019 16:04| © SuperSport
By:Brenden Nel
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Kwagga Smith © Gallo Images
Springbok flanker Kwagga Smith will lead the Emirates Lions into their battle with the defending champion Crusaders on Friday morning after captain Warren Whiteley failed his fitness test.

Whiteley limped off the field in the win over the Chiefs last weekend and was named to lead the side, but couldn't prove his fitness in time and has been withdrawn on medical advice.

Smith moves to No 8 and takes over the captaincy for the team's last tour match, with Marnus Schoeman coming into the side to fill the void left by Smith’s move to eight.

Hacjivah Dayimani moves onto the bench to complete the line-up for the game.

The Lions have already been rocked after both flyhalf Gianni Lombard returned home with a knee injury and Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx left New Zealand after being rested in the agreement with the national side.

Winger Courtnall Skosan returned home earlier in the tour to be at home with his father, who had taken ill.

The game kicks off 9:35am (CAT, GMT+2) on Friday.

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