VIDEO: Bok centre's nasty head clash
WATCH: Springbok centre Jesse Kriel inspired his Canon Eagles side to a 40-32 win over Yamaha Jubilo in the latest round of the Japan Top League, but a gruesome injury soured his day somewhat.
Two second-half tries by Kriel kept his side in the hunt as they looked to get their first win of the season after three opening losses to keep their season hopes alive.
The first try came on a wrap-around play which saw the centre juggle a pass before regathering to score in the corner with an outstretched hand. The put down was on a tightrope with Kriel’s legs narrowly missing touch as he powered over in a two-man tackle.
The second try was a well-worked set-piece move which saw Kriel receive the last pass to score directly under the posts after an inside ball to Canon wing and fellow South African SP Marias.
It wasn’t all great news for Kriel, who was involved in an ugly head clash with Australian flyhalf Sam Greene which left the Springbok with a monster cut above his left eye.
For everyone asking, this is how Jesse Kriel got his cut #SaffasAbroad #TopLeague pic.twitter.com/IaGJ9SgwWa
— Saffas Abroad Rugby 🇿🇦🏉 (@SaffasRugby) March 15, 2021
In a photo shared by Kriel after the match with the caption ‘winners are grinners’, up to seven staples are seen on a makeshift stitch-up of the gruesome cut.
Winners are grinners 😁🤕🙈 pic.twitter.com/LRWlHEKllq
— Jesse Kriel (@JesseKriel15) March 15, 2021
Kriel’s two-try performance moved his season tally to three, which is one behind Springbok teammate Malcolm Marx at NTT Shining Arcs and equal with Willie Le Roux at Toyota Verblitz.
Watch: Jesse Kriel’s two tries for Canon against Yamaha below.
Written by Sam Smith (@RugbyPass)
