Lentjes oils the joints after time on sidelines

Lentjes oils the joints after time on sidelinesJames Lentjes trains indoors with his Otago team...
Lentjes oils the joints after time on sidelinesJames Lentjes trains indoors with his Otago team-mates at the Unipol gym in Dunedin yesterday. Photo: Christine O'Connor
Elbow, shoulder, neck — what next?

Otago and Highlanders flanker James Lentjes has had a bad run of injuries during the past 18 months.

It started when he dislocated his elbow two games into the Super Rugby campaign last year and spent the next three months rehabilitating.

It was not long after his return that he discovered he was going to need reconstruction surgery on his shoulder.

That put him out for six months and then, towards the end of the Highlanders season this year, he was struggling with a neck complaint.

The injury would not go away and a scan revealed a bulging disc. That was another 11 weeks on the sideline.It is fair to say he is sick of carrying tackle bags around.

"I would have only played a handful of games [this year]. Under 10, anyway," Lentjes said.

"This year has been a tough one but hopefully I’m through the other side. Bad things come in threes and I’ve had three in a row."

Lentjes (27) made his playing return from the bench during Otago’s 45-34 win against Bay of Plenty in Dunedin on Wednesday and has been named on the bench for tomorrow’s match against Tasman.

His return is being staggered so he can reach match fitness in time for the playoffs.

Otago has won five of its past six games, including a 31-26 win against the previously unbeaten Auckland late last month.

"It was good to get back out there. I’ve certainly put a bit of rust on the tools but you have to start somewhere.

"And it is awesome to come into a team that is doing the job at the moment. It makes my job easier.

"Our attack has been going really well. We just need to shore up our defence and we will be a good contender."

Coach Ben Herring has made wholesale changes from the side that beat Bay of Plenty.

The team will be playing its third game in nine days, so most of the changes are about introducing fresh legs.

Finn Strawbridge fits into that category. He will start at first five-eighth in place of  Josh Ioane, who drops out of the game-day squad.

Taylor Haugh will provide cover for Strawbridge from the bench.

The versatile Matt Faddes shifts from centre to left wing to make room for midfielder Matt Whaanga, while the exciting Jona Nareki takes a seat on the bench.

Naulia Dawai is the only starting loose forward to survive. He shifts to blindside so Slade McDowell can start at openside. The impressive Dylan Nel makes way for Sione Misiloi at No8.

Lock Josh Larsen returns from an elbow injury and will partner Tom Rowe, while up from tighthead prop Hisa Sasagi gives up his spot for Donald Brighouse and hooker Ricky Jackson replaces Sekonaia Pole.

"Obviously it is a big week for us, so we’ve got an opportunity to use the depth in the squad," Herring said.

"Finn has been training really well and he is pumped and ready to go. It is an awesome opportunity for him.

"Ricky Jackson has come back in and he is a guy for the future. He looked good off the bench the other day. It will be good to see where he is at. But he is keen and he’ll go great.

"Josh [Larsen] has made a really good recovery from his elbow injury and he is as keen as mustard. It is good to see him back."

 

Mitre 10 Cup
Dunedin, tomorrow, 4.35pm

Otago: Vilimoni Koroi, Mitchell Scott, Sio Tomkinson, Matt Whaanga, Matt Faddes, Finn Strawbridge, Melani Matavao, Sione Misiloi, Slade McDowell, Naulia Dawai, Josh Larsen, Tom Rowe, Donald Brighouse, Ricky Jackson, Tom Hill. Reserves: Jonah Aiona, Sekonaia Pole, Giorgio Bower, Joketani Koroi, James Lentjes, Kurt Hammer, Taylor Haugh, Jona Nareki

Tasman: N/A

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