Stormers maul Leinster in season opener
MATCH REPORT: The Stormers got their season underway with a bonus-point win, whitewashing an under-par Leinster team 35-0 in the opening-round fixture in Cape Town on Friday.
There was plenty of early-season rust in both teams, while kicking was the order of the day in the first half.
The one aspect that worked very well for the Stormers was the scrum, while their contesting of the Leinster line-out ball was also top shelf.
Their high penalty count also did not help the visitors.
Stormers captain Ruhan Nel admitted there was the expected rustiness, but felt his team had plenty to be positive about.
* To recap all the drama, CLICK HERE!
* The article continues below …
It was a couple of early scrum penalties that preceded the first score, Jurie Matthee slotting a three-pointer in the sixth minute.
In the 12th minute, a breakdown penalty in favour of the Stormers allowed Matthee to take a shot from 55 metres out, but he pushed it wide to the right.
In the 15th minute, an offside penalty saw Matthee again aim at the posts, but again wide to the right.
The Stormers eventually went to their line-out, with Paul de Villiers going over the line from a maul. However, the TMO stepped in and reported Adré Smith for double-banking (obstruction ) in the line-out.
On the half-hour mark, the Stormers went back to taking penalty kicks at goal, Matthee finally finding the target – 6-0. That’s how it stayed till half-time.
The visitors continued to transgress, and an offside penalty allowed Matthee to make it 9-0 two minutes into the second half.
It was seasoned scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer who scored the first try, after Seabelo Senatla carved the Leinster defence open. Matthee added the conversion for s 16-0 lead.
Just short of the hour mark the Stormers won another scrum penalty, with Matthee short from just inside his half.
Soon afterwards replacement Max Deegan was given his marching orders for repeatedly being offside.
That saw the Stormers set up a line-out maul and Even Roos getting the second try. Matthee made it 23-0 with the conversion.
Leinster was reduced to 13 men, when wing Tommy O’Brien was yellow-carded for a high tackle.
That was followed by another line-out maul and a second try to Roos. Matthee’s conversion made it 30-0.
Matthee then sold an audacious dummy and sprinted clear for the bonus-point try.
The flyhalf could not slot the conversion, but the Stormers cruised to a 35-0 whitewash.
Man of the match: There will always be fan favourite Evan Roos, while wing Seabelo Senatla seemed to be in some great early-season form. My vote goes to Stormers flyhalf Jurie Matthee, not just for his 20 points (a try, three conversions and three penalties), but his all round performance – which included some sublime crossfield kicks.
The scorers
For the Stormers
Tries: Ungerer, Roos 2, Matthee
Cons: Matthee 3
Pens: Matthee 3
For Leinster
None
Yellow card: Max Deegan (Leinster, 62 – repeated infringements, offside), Tommy O’Brien (Leinster, 67 – foul play, high tackle)
Teams:
Stormers: 15 Wandisile Simelane, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel (captain), 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Adré Smith, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Vernon Matongo.
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Olly Reid, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Ruben van Heerden, 20 Ruan Ackermann, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Dewaldt Duvenage, 23 Clinton Swart.
Leinster: 15 Jimmy O’Brien, 14 Tommy O’Brien, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Ciarán Frawley, 11 Jordan Larmour, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Luke McGrath (captain), 8 James Culhane, 7 Scott Penny, 6 Ryan Baird, 5 Brian Deeny, 4 Diarmuid Mangan, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Gus McCarthy, 1 Jack Boyle.
Replacements: 16 John McKee, 17 Paddy McCarthy, 18 Andrew Sparrow, 19 Max Deegan, 20 Will Connors, 21 Fintan Gunne, 22 Harry Byrne, 23 Hugh Cooney.
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Sean Muller (South Africa), Stephan Geldenhuys (South Africa)
TMO: Adam Jones (Wales)
@rugby365com
