Rugby, Benetton defeated in Johannesburg by the Lions, but the bonus arrives

In South Africa it ends 37-29 after a great first half: the four goals still bring a point in the standings

JOHANNESBURG. Another missed opportunity for Benetton: after a sumptuous first half (except for the last moments) comes a low level second half, and the defeat (albeit with a bonus) at the home of the Lions, in South Africa.

Ready, go and the Lions have been penalized for a foul in the breakdown by the Lions. Hendrikse from long distance hits the posts and the South Africans go 3-0. The race proceeds on the tracks of intermittence and fragmented by various penalties for indiscipline. But at 13 ‘comes the first goal of the afternoon for the hosts: driving maul on 22 penetrating and oval for Schoeman who rests the oval on the ground. Hendrikse does not convert. A few moments pass and Tomas Albornoz invents a sinuous drop from an angled position, for the first three points of the Lions.

Overturning in front and the Lions have a touchdown on five meters, from which the green-and-whites defend themselves properly and counterattack thanks to Menoncello. Benetton is on the advancing foot, slipping away thanks to Albornoz and Ioane who elude the opposing defenders. From a free kick on the opponents five meters, Rhyno Smith is quick to go away to Hendrikse and make the goal. On this occasion the match director Brace warns Hendrikse for a high tackle. Smith himself transforms and the green-and-whites are ahead for the first time in the match.

With the extra man the Lions push hard and still go into heavy marking, thanks to a spectacular action with fast passes and Filippo Drago finds the first goal in green and white. Smith is not wrong. Then there is a tough head-to-head clash between Venter and Wegner, with the second line of Benetton Rugby having to give way to Ruzza. We are back in numerical parity and the Lions are cynical. Overturning of the front thanks to the race of Menoncello, Nicotera takes over and supports Duvenage. The scrum-half opens to Ioane who picks up Rhyno Smith, skilled at making a brace. This time the extreme guest is not accurate. And in time, van Den Berg’s goal arrives for the South Africans who reopen their accounts. Transform Hendrikse and the first fraction ends 15-22 for the Lions.

The recovery begins and Benetton Rugby is immediately surprised. Van der Merwe flies alone on the left wing and crushes the oval in goal. Hendrikse converts and returns to a tie. The Lions, however, do not seem to feel the backlash and have a penalty for foul in the melee of the Lions. But Smith doesn’t hit the posts. After 50 ‘Zuliani is booked for an incorrect tackle. The South Africans take advantage of the man of advantage and find the fourth goal and the bonus point with the dive of Pienaar; Hendrikse does not transform. Meanwhile, Pasquali enters for Ferrari, Coetzee for Padovani, Garbisi for captain Duvenage and Marin for Albornoz.

A quarter of the game from the end here is the fifth goal of the hosts, the scorer is Hendrikse who then transforms. Now the Lions are ahead 34-22 and back 15 vs 15. The whole front line of Bortolami’s men changes, with Faiva and Zani for Nicotera and Gallo. Benetton Rugby fails to give vent to its attack and sin of indiscipline. From a placed Hendrikse feeds his advantage over the two breaks. Last change for the Lions: Meggiato replacing Zuliani.

The Lions, however, do not give up and want the fourth goal of the afternoon to take the offensive bonus point and arrive with Lorenzo Cannone from an overflowing advancing cart. Rhyno Smith transforms and the race ends 37-29 in favor of the Lions.