Springbok utility back Canan Moodie could miss the Vodacom Bulls’ match against the Scarlets in Llanelli next Saturday.
Moodie picked up a hamstring niggle during the first half of Friday night’s 47-7 win against the Dragons in Newport and did not come out for the second half.
“A little bit concerned about Canan,” Bulls coach Johan Ackermann told the media on Saturday. “He felt his hamstring just before half-time, and with all the injuries at wing we didn’t want to risk him further.
“We weren’t confident he could continue. You don’t want to aggravate it and make it worse, so we didn’t take that risk.”
Moodie’s injury adds to a growing list of outside-back concerns, with Stravino Jacobs and Sebastian de Klerk already sidelined, while Kurt-Lee Arendse (finger) and Cheswill Jooste (foot) missed the Dragons clash.
“We’ve suddenly been tested at outside back,” Ackermann said. “It started with Stravino and Sebastian being out, then we lost Kurt-Lee and Cheswill for this weekend, and then Canan felt his hamstring.
“At this stage, he’s the main concern. There are bumps and bruises, but nothing else we’re overly worried about.
“Hopefully Cheswill and Kurt-Lee have responded well to treatment and we can get at least those two back to strengthen our outside backs.”
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Despite the injury disruption, the Bulls produced a dominant second-half display in Newport. However, Ackermann said the 40-point winning margin was misleading after a frustrating first half.
“The scoreline doesn’t really reflect the true match,” he said. “We had to grind and fight hard.
“We couldn’t put them away in the first half. They defended well and kept us out, and we made hard work of it.
“There was a feeling at half-time that it would take a grind and that we just needed more patience.”
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The Bulls responded after the break, with their forwards laying the platform for a clinical finish, led by captain Marcell Coetzee.
“Marcell has been outstanding for us over the last few weeks, not just on the field but off it as well,” Ackermann said.
“The way he’s leading, training, challenging and encouraging the guys – he was tremendous.
“When your back is against the wall, you need your leaders to step up and he led by example.”
Ackermann also highlighted the value of Marco van Staden, who scored twice after coming on at hooker.
“Credit to Marco – he’s an absolute team man. He’ll play wherever we pick him,” he said. “He understands his role as a hybrid who can play hooker and in the back row.
“We felt it worked well to use him there and he showed his value. It’s great to have that option.”
Photo: Huw Fairclough/Getty Images
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Springbok utility back Canan Moodie could miss the Vodacom Bulls’ match against the Scarlets in Llanelli next Saturday.
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