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Lions make statement by ending Stormers run, Chiefs comeback shocks Cheetahs

Lions’ Jaco Kriel in action

The Lions made an emphatic statement in Super Rugby by ending the Stormers’ unbeaten start to the season in a 29-16 victory against their South African rivals.

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The Stormers had started the weekend top of the standings having won their opening six matches, but the Lions returned home from Cape Town with a big victory after outscoring the hosts four tries to one in a battle of South Africa’s best.

The visitors made an early statement of intent as Malcolm Marx scored in just the second minute following a  brilliant rolling maul, although the Stormers quickly hit back following individual brilliance from Dillyn Leyds.

Robert Du Preez’s conversion briefly had the home team in front, but Lions quickly had the initiative with Harold Vorster and Jaco Kriel – who had earlier been sin-binned – touching down either side of penalties from Du Preez and SP Marais for Stormers.

Stormers peppered the Lions line in the second half, but only had another Marais three-pointer to show for their efforts and Lions sealed the win through Sylvian Mahuza’s late try.

In Bloemfontein, Cheetahs were left shell-shocked after surrendering a 24-point advantage to lose 41-27 to Chiefs.

The home side were 24-0 ahead after just 22 minutes following a blistering start, but the visitors kick off the recovery with a pair of Toni Pulu tries before half-time.

And the New Zealanders hit the front thanks to scores from Tawera Kerr-Barlow and James Lowe, before late efforts from Shaun Stevenson and Hika Elliot completed the brilliant recovery.

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Rounding off the action, Bulls won for just the second time this season as Handre Pollard kicked 16 points in a 26-13 victory over Jaguares.

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Nickers 27 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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