Bulls coach distraught as Jesse Kriel goes down

03 March 2016 - 02:40 By Chumani Bambani

Loftus Versfeld is quickly resembling a casualty ward as the Bulls' injuries mount. Only 20 minutes before announcing an unchanged squad to the media on Wednesday for the Bulls encounter against the Melbourne Rebels in Pretoria on Saturday, coach Nollis Marais was on his knees - head in his hands - after seeing his latest casualty go down at training."What is happening to us?" the coach lamented as he watched Springbok centre Jesse Kriel slump concussed after colliding awkwardly with young fly-half Manie Libbok."Unfortunately, in 20 minutes a lot can change," said Marais."Jesse Kriel just got injured now during training, he sustained a concussion. He got his head on the wrong side during a normal attack-defence drill."I will not risk playing Jesse this weekend. It really is unfortunate that injuries can't seem to keep away from Loftus, but I will not risk Jesse's health."Kriel will be replaced by Burger Odendaal in the starting XV, although he will start at inside centre with Jan Serfontein moving to No13.Dries Swanepoel will provide midfield cover on the bench.If that was not bad enough, there was another mishap at training on Tuesday which could lead to Grant Hattingh missing out this weekend too.The lanky lock sustained a neck injury when he also hit his head against a teammate during training.Scans could not find any physical damage, but a close eye is being kept on the 25-year-old second-rower...

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