Northampton Saints: Reihana injury the only downer
There were enough positives to charge two car batteries at Kingston Park on Friday night.
The one downer was the sight of Bruce Reihana on crutches.
The former captain was a late withdrawal from the Saints line-up having injured himself in training.
Neither leg was in a cast of any sort, so hopefully it isn't too serious and Reihana will be back for Saints soon.
Reihana's injury leaves Saints short of wingers for the time being though.
Paul Diggin is sidelined with a knee injury as well so it meant Joe Ansbro filled in on the wing at Kingston Park.
He might not have made the yards that Reihana has been making each week for Saints, but he certainly added some commitment as his take of a kick that ended with him nose-diving into the dirt showed.
He is not a natural winger though and Saints fans will be hoping Reihana is back in action quickly.
The 33-year-old has been in superb form this season in what is the last year of his current contract.
Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder has said he wants to keep Reihana and you can see why.
Last season may have seen a dip in his very excellent standards, but this term he is back to what Saints fans saw so consistently when he was at the top of his game and winning the PRA Players' Player of the Year Award in 2004.
He can sidestep a tackler, pick a great line and lean his shoulder in to smash a defender out of the way. Either way, Reihana can eat up the yards and make ground for Saints from any position.
He has also dovetailed with Ben Foden and Chris Ashton superbly in recent weeks.
Without him the three musketeers at the back are missing one of their strongest swordsman.
As well as Ansbro did, Reihana's threat out wide wasn't replaced and it shows how difficult it would be to replace the former All Black if he does decide to leave.
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Weather for Northampton
Tuesday 07 February 2012
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