CHAMPIONS CUP
Leighton Koopman|Published
“Our thoughts are with the Lions and I just can’t imagine what the players and the whole team are going through. The loss of Hyron Andrews is terrible for rugby.”
Stormers director of rugby John Dobson sympathised with the family and teammates of former Lions lock Hyron Andrews, who tragically passed away in France a day before the team’s Champions Cup debut against La Rochelle.
While Dobson said he did not want to express too much of an opinion on the passing of the Lions star lock, he paid tribute to the Paarl-born second-rower following his death. Ahead of their victory over Bristol Bears in the tournament, the teams observed a minute’s silence for Andrews, while the Stormers also wore black armbands to pay tribute to him.
The 31-year-old, who also featured for the Sharks, Sale Sharks and Junior Springboks during his playing career, tragically passed away on Friday morning.
“Everybody is very sad, and I don’t feel like I have any right to express too much of an opinion on it beyond the obvious thing. We had a similar situation last year with the death of Chippie Solomon (former Stormers team manager), and it was a week later. We shouldn’t have played that game against Connacht, so I’m amazed that their game went ahead,” Dobson said on Saturday evening
“He would have been somebody’s roommate, and it’s just unfathomable for Hyron and his family, it’s terrible. We actually had a conversation with him when Ruben was going to France, but it didn’t work out.
“What is good, though, is what we saw with Chippie. I know Chippie wasn’t a young player – he was a father of two, although his kids were older – but it shows you the values of rugby and how the community comes together.
“Last year, you suddenly turned on Ulster playing somebody, and there was Chippie’s photo and tribute. I think last night you saw it at Gloucester, too. That makes us proud to be part of rugby.
“But it’s terrible. I don’t know how you deal with it or how you get over it. Our sympathy to everyone who knew Hyron.”