Cardiff gives lame Lions a wake-up call
MATCH REPORT: Cardiff reminded Ivan van Rooyen and his Lions that the Currie Cup is not the United Rugby Championship.
The Welsh region outmuscled the South African visitors to record a convincing 33-20 first-round win on Arms Park’s 4G surface on Saturday night.
To make life even more unpleasant for the team that a week ago choked in the Currie Cup Final, rain started pouring down in the second half.
Cardiff always looked more threatening on attack, while the Lions were as predictable and unimaginative with their one-up runners as they have been for years.
The Lions will also rue their countless errors, with their turnovers well into double digits.
At least they can look to their scrums as a rare ray of light on a dark and damp Saturday in the Welsh capital.
* To recap all the drama, CLICK HERE!
* The article continues below …
It was an error-riddled start from both teams, making for a stop-start affair in the opening exchanges.
The home team eventually settled down and took the ball through a series of phases, before centre Ben Thomas burst over for the first try. Callum Sheedy added the conversion for a 7-0 lead after 10 minutes.
It was now the Lions’ turn to take the ball through the phases, and they eventually won a penalty, with flyhalf Lubabalo Dobela putting three points on the board.
Cardiff responded with a team try and sublime hands, finished by fullback Cam Winnett. The Sheedy conversion made it 14-3.
The Lions responded swiftly, a penalty allowing them entry into the home team’s 22. Some good phase play saw flank Ruan Venter to get his team’s first try. Dobela made it a four-point (10-14) game with the conversion.
Cardiff then had a try scratched off, after the TMO pointed out there was a dangerous clear-out by centre Ben Thomas, who was initially yellow-carded, which was then upgraded to red by the bunker system.
His team was allowed to replace him after 20 minutes.
Another breakdown penalty against Cardiff allowed Dobela to make it a one-point game, 13-14.
That is how it stayed till half-time.
The Lions started the second half in dominant form. A couple of penalties close to the line, line-outs and eventually a powerful five-metre scrum allowed No.8 WJ Steenkamp to flop over. Dobela made it a six-point (20-14) lead.
Cardiff, back to 15 after the conclusion of the 20-minute red card, got back into attacking form. Flank Alex Mann finished off a period of pressure. Sheedy reclaimed the lead, 21020, with the conversion.
Next to score was replacement hooker Evan Lloyd, sneaking around the blindside of a maul. Sheedy made it a two-score (28-20) game with the conversion.
Cardiff were now in control, and Lloyd got his second try from a powerful rolling maul. Sheedy was finally wide of the mark, 33-20 – also the full-time score.
Man of the match: You can look towards Cardiff loose forwards Alun Lawrence and Taine Basham, for their amazing work rates. My award goes to Cardiff’s South African scrumhalf Johan Mulder, who reminded the opposition what it means to have a ‘crisp service’ and produce very effective contestable kicks.
The scorers
For Cardiff
Tries: Thomas, Winnett, Mann, Lloyd 2
Cons: Sheedy 4
For the Lions
Tries: Venter, Steenkamp
Cons: Dobela 2
Pens: Dobela 2
Red card: Ben Thomas (Cardiff, 30 – foul play, dangerous clearout)
Teams
Cardiff: 15 Cam Winnett, 14 Josh Adams, 13 Harri Millard, 12 Ben Thomas, 11 Tom Bowen, 10 Callum Sheedy, 9 Johan Mulder, 8 Alun Lawrence, 7 Taine Basham, 6 Alex Mann, 5 Teddy Williams, 4 Josh McNally, 3 Javan Sebastian, 2 Liam Belcher (captain), 1 Rhys Barratt.
Replacements: 16 Evan Lloyd, 17 Danny Southworth, 18 Keiron Assiratti, 19 Ben Donnell, 20 Dan Thomas, 21 Aled Davies, 22 Ioan Lloyd, 23 Jacob Beetham.
Lions: 15 Quan Horn (captain), 14 Tapiwa Mafura, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Richard Kriel, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Lubabalo Dobela, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 WJ Steenkamp, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Jarod Cairns, 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Dylan Sjoblom, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Franco Marais, 1 SJ Kotze.
Replacements: 16 Morné Brandon, 17 Heiko Pohlmann, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Darrien Landsberg, 20 Renzo du Plessis, 21 Haashim Pead, 22 Sam Francis, 23 Rynhardt Jonker.
Referee: Fillipo Russo (Italy)
Assistant referees: Ben Breakspear (Wales), Lucas Yendle (Wales)
TMO: Stefano Roscini (Italy)
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