Season over for Highlanders captain James Lentjes
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Highlanders will have to be without their captain James Lentjes for the rest of the season after the 29-year-old suffered an ankle injury during the side's 28-22 loss to Melbourne Rebels on Friday.
Lentjes was stretchered off Forsyth Barr Stadium in agony following an awkward landing from a ruck cleanout that led to a fractured and dislocated ankle.
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In a press release sent out on Monday, the Highlanders confirmed that the captain is expected to undergo surgery within the next seven to 10 days and will be out of action for between six to nine months.
❤️ A lot of respect for James Lentjes. #SuperRugby #HIGvREB
— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) February 28, 2020
WRAP: https://t.co/5TwIPKtcn8 pic.twitter.com/Rq5eVWTNsR
The flanker had only become captain this year, with the departure of All Blacks Ben Smith and Luke Whitelock.
“Our thoughts are with Jimmy, he has been an outstanding leader for us over the preseason and the early rounds of the competition,” Highlanders head coach Aaron Mauger said in a statement.
“The whole squad join with me in wishing the skip a successful recovery and we look forward to seeing him around the environment post-surgery.”
The squad’s two vice-captains – Aaron Smith and Ash Dixon – will fill the captaincy void as co-captains.
