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united-rugby-championship
Benetton claimed a first-ever win in Johannesburg with a commanding 42-31 bonus-point victory over the Lions.
The guests fell behind to an early long-range penalty from Lions fly-half Jordan Hendrikse, however hit again nearly instantly when Jacob Umaga pounced on a unfastened ball and raced clear for the opening attempt, which he additionally transformed.
Benetton struck once more quickly after, working the ball extensive from a lineout drive for Ignacio Mendy to attain within the nook. Umaga added a penalty earlier than combining with Brex in a wise loop transfer that led to a robust carry from Odogwu, who offloaded for Leonardo Marin to complete. Umaga transformed for a 22-3 lead.
The Lions responded with a maul attempt from Venter, transformed by Hendrikse, however Benetton stretched additional forward earlier than the break. Mendy added his second after slicing by from deep, and though the Lions replied by Louw simply earlier than half-time, the Italians led 32-17.
After the break, Mendy was once more on the coronary heart of the motion, initiating a sweeping transfer completed by Federico Ruzza. Umaga added the extras.
Regardless of three yellow playing cards lowering Benetton to 13 males for 20 minute of the second-half, their defence held agency.
The Lions crossed by Van der Merwe, and later grabbed a bonus-point attempt through Pretorius, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient as Benetton sealed a well-known away win and 5 factors on the street of their playoff push.
Emirates Lions:15 Quan Horn, 14 Tapiwa Mafura, 13 Rynhardt Jonker, 12 Marius Louw (51? Kelly Mpeku), 11 Edwill Van der Merwe, 10 Kade Wolhuter, 9 Morne Van den Berg (66? Nico Steyn); 8 Francke Horn (C) (16? Siba Qoma), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Jc Pretorius, 5 Darrien Landsberg (56? Ruan Delport), 4 Ruben Schoeman (56? Renzo Du Plessis), 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye (45? RF Schoeman), 2 Pj Botha (45? Jaco Visagie), 1 Juan Schoeman (45? SJ Kotze).
Head Coach: Ivan Van Rooyen.
Benetton Rugby:15 Leonardo Marin (59? Simone Ferrari, 71? Leonardo Marin), 14 Ignacio Mendy (51? Bautista Bernasconi, 59? Ignacio Mendy, 71? Rhyno Smith), 13 Tommaso Menoncello, 12 Ignacio Brex, 11 Paolo Odogwu, 10 Jacob Umaga, 9 Alessandro Garbisi (63? Andy Uren); 8 Lorenzo Cannone, 7 Manuel Zuliani (71? Michele Lamaro), 6 Riccardo Favretto, 5 Federico Ruzza (C) (63? Eli Snyman), 4 Niccolò Cannone (45? Scott Scrafton), 3 Simone Ferrari (45? Giosué Zilocchi), 2 Bautista Bernasconi (45? Siua Maile), 1 Thomas Gallo (45? Ivan Nemer).
Head Coach: Marco Bortolami.
