VIDEO: RG is still a 'work in progress'
Rudolph Gerhardus Snyman returned to the playing field in Leinster’s third successive bonus-point victory at the weekend.
They beat Benetton 35-5 in Treviso to move four points clear at the top of the Rugby Championship table.
It was also Snyman’s debut for the Dublin-based team, after moving from Limerick-based Munster in the off-season.
A foot injury delayed his first appearance in the blue of the Irish province he suffered while on duty with South Africa.
It was not his best performance, as he had four carries for very little reward, nine tackles and a 100 percent line-out record.
Snyman said he was satisfied that he could get back on the field.
“It was quite frustrating,” he said of his injury lay-off, adding: “It gave me a chance to settle and get to know the [Leinster] boys.
“It was just great to be out there and making my debut in blue.”
He admitted that he can improve his game.
“The legs were ok,” he said, adding: “It is the lungs that need a bit of work.
“It is a work in progress.”
* (Article continues below the Snyman interview …)
‘The legs were ok…it’s the lungs that need a bit of work…’ 😮💨
RG Snyman reflects on a successful debut…and how the lungs held up on and off the pitch! 😂
***head over to our Instagram story to hear for yourselves 🎶 ***#WelcomeRG pic.twitter.com/u7NXXeMu00
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) October 6, 2024
It’s a result which will put them in good spirits going into next Saturday’s huge all-Irish clash with Munster at a packed Croke Park.
Leo Cullen’s team had the four-try bonus in the bag inside 26 minutes out in Italy and finished with five tries in all.
“We are very pleased to get that outcome,” said coach Cullen.
“We imposed ourselves well on the game early on and made good decisions.
“There was a really good mix over the first half hour and we came away with four good tries which was a great start.
“The last thing you want to do away from home with a heavy pitch and a partisan crowd is to get into a wrestle.
“We always had that advantage in terms of the scoreboard. So overall, very pleased.”
Now thoughts turn to the Dublin meeting with Munster which is set to draw a near full house at the 82,000 capacity Croke Park.
“There’s this anticipation always about this fixture and you’ve got the fact that it’s in Croke Park, which is an amazing venue,” said Cullen.
“It’s amazing to hear there’s already 70,000 tickets sold, so hopefully it will be close to being sold out and it will be a special day.”
‘It’s great to get another batch of players through for their first game of the season’
🎤 Leo Cullen gives his views on the game this evening and the excitement heading into next week as the amount of tickets sold heads past 70,000 🎟️ #BENvLEI #FromTheGroundUp pic.twitter.com/rdo0uCeSZD
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) October 5, 2024
