A moving performance, bordering on perfection against a very tough opponent (half of the starters Springboks they pass this way) and an refereeing that to define as home-made would be an understatement. The Benetton wins in Durban against Sharksa 24-25 final that does not fully describe a team that put its soul into a very tough, almost exhausting challenge, and came out on top, with great clarity, going on to take four points which are fundamental in the race for playoffs and to qualify for the next Champions Cup.
TO Durban the Lions are immediately aggressive and get a shot from a good position: Leonardo Marin doesn’t make a mistake. The South Africans react by exploiting the speed of the attacking midfield and Fassi scores. Masuku transforms. The Sharks continue to press and Nche smashes the ball to the ground to crown a long series of charges. Masuku takes the post from the pitch. Benetton tries to get closer to the hosts, but they don’t materialize a good opportunity. Zani has to leave the pitch due to an injury and is replaced by debutant Aminu. The green-and-whites then score the first try: great combination between Brex and Tommaso Menoncello. The Treviso center spreads panic and goes to score. Marin doesn’t hit the posts and the first half ends at 12-8 for the South Africans.
At the start of the second half the Lions went into touch within five meters and an overflowing maul from Gianmarco Lucchesi steered all the way. Marin transforms and then leaves the field to Umaga. However, the Sharks still escape ahead with Kok’s solitary progression. Masuku converts from the pitch. Changes for the Trevisos: Zilocchi, Bernasconi and Zanon for Ferrari, Lucchesi and Menoncello. The Durban men look for the decisive breakthrough and Kok scores a brace. Masuku hits the post again from the pitch. Now room for Iachizzi Duvenage in place of Niccolò Cannone and Uren. The Lions win a free kick and Jacob Umaga doesn’t miss from the pitch. Afterwards Murray was sent off for a headbutt against Menoncello in the ruck. The Lions manage to reach the goal with Jacob Umaga, served by Zanon’s powerful percussion. Umaga himself transforms. The green-and-whites held on in the final minutes and celebrated a platinum victory of 24-25. A historic success, the Lions’ first on South African soil.
Cell C Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Lukhanyo Am (C) (35′ Diego Appolis), 12 Koster Murray, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Siya Masuku (57′ Boeta Chamberlain), 9 Grant Williams (40′ Cameron Wright), 8 Vincent Tshituka (48′ Tino Mavesere), 7 Gerbrandt Grobler, 6 James Venter, 5 Corne Rahl, 4 Eben Etzebeth (19′ Lappies Labuschagne), 3 Vincent Koch (19′ Hanro Jacobs), 2 Bongi Mbonambi (40′ Fez Mbatha) , 1 Ox Nche (40′ Ntuthuko Mchunu). Head coach: John Plumtree.
Benetton Rugby: 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Ignacio Mendy, 13 Tommaso Menoncello (53′ Marco Zanon), 12 Ignacio Brex, 11 Onisi Ratave (71′ Tommaso Menoncello), 10 Leonardo Marin (46′ Jacob Umaga), 9 Andy Uren (61′ Dewaldt Duvenage ), 8 Lorenzo Cannone, 7 Sebastian Negri, 6 Alessandro Izekor, 5 Eli Snyman (C), 4 Niccolò Cannone (57′ Edoardo Iachizzi), 3 Simone Ferrari (53′ Giosué Zilocchi), 2 Gianmarco Lucchesi (53′ Bautista Bernasconi) , 1 Federico Zani (34′ Destiny Aminu, 74′ Simone Ferrari). Available: 20 Riccardo Favretto. Head Coach: Marco Bortolami.
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU). Assistants: Morne Ferreira and Hanru Van Rooyen (SARU). TMO: Hollie Davidson (SRU).
Markings: 3′ p. Marin, 14′ Fassi goal tr. Masuku, 23′ goal Nche, 35′ goal Menoncello; 44′ goal Lucchesi tr. Marin, 48′ Kok goal tr. Masuku, 56′ goal Kok, 71′ p. Umaga, 77′ goal Umaga tr. Umaga.
Note: Red card in the 75th minute to Murray (SHA). Transformations: Cell C Sharks 2/4 (Masuku 2/4); Benetton Rugby 2/3 (Marin 1/2, Umaga 1/1). Free kicks: Benetton Rugby 2/2 (Marin 1/1, Umaga 1/1).
