Limping Lions look to ‘classy’ Hendrikse for a lift

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Lions backline coach Ricardo Laubscher believes “classy” Jordan Hendrikse can uplift the struggling side against table-topping Leinster on Friday.

The Lions travel to Dublin still licking their wounds of four defeats in a row to languish 14th in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.

Hendrikse, who became the latest SA star to join the lucrative Roc Nation Sports fold on Wednesday, could start at flyhalf at the RDS Arena with Tiann Swanepoel returning to fullback, where his big boot and strong defence could prove pivotal.

“It has been a debating point among us. Jordan has the X factor and is a good goal-kicker, and has a big field-kicking boot,” said Laubscher. “He is a classy player, and it will be good for the confidence of the players around him to have him back at flyhalf. We can play Jordan and Tiaan Swanepoel as a 10/15 combination.”

“Leinster are the top team for a reason and there’s a reason they are top of the log,” the coach added.

“Our tackling hasn’t been good recently. I think if you look at Leinster you will note that if you give them time and space on the ball, they make good decisions so we need to make sure we get off the line, get into good positions to make the tackles and force the errors.”

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