Sloppy Lions bag a bonus-point win against Stade Francais
MATCH REPORT: The Lions produced an impressive bonus-point win in Johannesburg on Friday, seeing off the famed Stade team 30-12.
The margin of the four tries to two win at Ellis Park would have surprised most pundits.
Quan Horn (two), Andries Coetzee and Ruan Smith crossed for the hosts, with Jordan Hendrikse adding 10 points from the tee (two conversions and two penalties).
Stade Français was physical throughout the contest, but had to settle for tries by James Hall and Léo Barre.
After an early Jordan Hendrikse penalty, the Lions’ flyhalf produced a beautiful flat pass to put Quan Horn over in the corner. Hendrikse added the conversion – 10-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Hendrikse added a second penalty, before a counter from inside their 22 saw Horn scored his and the Lions’ second try. Hendrikse made it 20-0 just short of the half-hour mark.
Five minutes before half-time, following a couple of sloppy handling errors by the Lions and a penalty, Giorgi Melikidze powered his way over. However, foul play by one of his teammates in the build-up had the try scrapped by the TMO.
The Lions were now having major issues with their handling, coughing up possession in almost every move – not to mention the ill-discipline that gifted the visitors a number of penalties.
Right on the stroke of half-time the visitors’ South African scrumhalf James Hall sneaked between a couple of defenders to open Stade Francais’ account. T
Léo Barre sliced the conversion attempt wide – leaving the Lions with a 15-point (20-5) lead at the break.
The second half started as scrappy as the first ended, with a number of reset scrums running down the clock.
Not that the home team did themselves any favours, but some real brain explosions handed the visitors more opportunities with the ball in hand than they would have hoped for.
On the hour mark, the Lions – from a planned line-out more – opened the Stade Francais defence up. Rynhardt Jonker surged through midfield and floated a brilliant pass out to Andries Coetzee, capping it with a sublime try. Hendrikse was well wide with the conversion attempt – 25-5.
The Lions continued to cough up possession and penalties, still gifting the French team opportunities to get back into the game.
Stade Francais started their comeback from a line-out five metres out – the result of yet another silly penalty by the home team. From a few quick phases, flyhalf Léo Barre went over. Barre was limping following the score and o Alex Arrate nudged the extras – 12-25.
With just under five minutes remaining replacement prop Ruan Smith went over for the bonus-point try – following a series of big carries. Hendrikse was again wide with the conversion attempt – 30-12.
There was just enough time for the Lions to cough up some more possession and concede a free kick for some ill discipline.
However, with Stade Francois also struggling to hold onto the ball the home team held on for a comprehensive win – indeed by a much bigger margin than anyone would have predicted.
The scorers
Fort the Lions
Tries: Horn 2, Coetzee, R Smith
Cons: Hendrikse 2
Pens: Hendrikse 2
For Stade Francais Paris
Tries: Hall, Barre
Con: Arrate
Teams
Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Henco Van Wyk, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Quan Horn, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Emmanuel Tshituka, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Jaco Kriel (captain), 5 Pieter Jansen van Vuren, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Jean-Pierre Smith.
Replacements: 16 Michael van Vuuren, 17 Sithembiso Sithole, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Darrian Landsberg, 21 Sangweni Sibusiso, 22 André Warner, 23 Rynhardt Jonker,
Stade Francais: 15 Léo Monin, 14 Nadir Megdoud, 13 Paolo Odogwu, 12 Theo Dachary, 11 Harry Glover, 10 Léo Barre, 9 James Hall, 8 Juan Martin Scelzo, 7 Mathieu Hirigoyen, 6 Giorgi Tsutkiridze, 5 Juan Johan Van der Mescht, 4 Nathan Huguen, 3 Giorgi Melikidze, 2 Laurent Panis (captain), 1 Vasil Kakovin.
Replacements: 16 Lucas Peyresblanques, 17 Sergo Abramishvili, 18 Paul Alo Emile, 19 Noa Kanika, 20 Arthur Coville, 21 Alex Arrate, 22. Ferdinand Dreno, 23. Moses Alo Emile.
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant referees: Matthew Carley (England) & Sara Cox (England)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)
