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Leinster humbled in one-sided Lions mauling in Jo'burg

By PA
Richard Kriel of the Lions during the United Rugby Championship match between Emirates Lions and Leinster at Emirates Airline Park on April 20, 2024 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Leinster missed the chance to extend their lead at the top of the United Rugby Championship after suffering a 44-12 defeat to Emirates Lions at Emirates Airline Park.

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The Irish province, who last week booked their place in the Investec Champions Cup semi-finals after eliminating holders La Rochelle, had won 11 of their last 12 matches in the competition.

But, having made 13 changes, Leo Cullen’s side were blown away inside the opening 15 minutes as three Lions tries put them on the way to a victory which boosts their play-off hopes.

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    Leinster are now just one point clear of Glasgow with four rounds remaining while the Lions climbed into the top eight.

    The Lions made a stunning start and grabbed the opening try inside 40 seconds as Richard Kriel and JC Pretorius combined to send Morne van den Berg in under the posts, with Sanele Nohamba converting before kicking a penalty seven minutes later.

    A fantastic team try saw the Lions score again in the 10th minute, Francke Horn, Van den Berg and Marius Louw all involved before the latter cruised over but Nohamba was unable to add the extras.

    22m Entries

    Avg. Points Scored
    4.5
    9
    Entries
    Avg. Points Scored
    1
    12
    Entries

    It went from bad to worse for Leinster three minutes later as Nohamba pounced on a loose ball before putting Quan Horn through, which the former converted for a 22-0 lead.

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    Leinster pair Liam Turner and Cormac Foley had tries disallowed for a knock on and forward pass respectively either side of the break before Nohamba’s penalty extended the Lions’ lead.

    The Irish side finally got on the board in the 53rd minute when Ciaran Frawley pounced on a grubber kick from Harry Byrne, who added the extras.

    But moments later the Lions secured the bonus point when Emmanuel Tshituka went over after loose play from Leinster but Nohamba could not convert.

    Frawley claimed his second try following some slick passing from Leinster but Byrne missed his kick to leave the score 30-12.

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    Tshituka and Francke Horn added further tries in the final five minutes, both converted by Jordan Hendrikse, to cap an excellent day for the Lions.

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    Comments

    3 Comments
    S
    SD 456 days ago

    The stats for this game are astonishing. Nearly 70% territory and possession for Leinster, and they lose by 32 points

    s
    swivel 457 days ago

    It cracks me up how the North believe their sh!t don’t stink when their rugby is so convoluted they can’t even field top sides when it matters.


    Also, Victor looks hilarious with his freshly dyed hair.

    J
    JP 458 days ago

    Pretty pathetic from Leinster. Cohort coming through in the pack are miles off where they need to be.


    The skills coaching work done by Lancaster looks to have been thrown out of the window entirely. Even against La Rochelle it relied on lucky bounce passes rather than the ball going to hand.

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    S
    Soliloquin 58 minutes ago
    Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

    For Fischer, many people in France are still doubting him - it’s the first time he has a full season (31 games). Before, he was always injured at some point. He’s 27, so not the youngest, and you have a younger Boudehent or Jégou behind.

    His physicality is incredible, but he didn’t prove he’s got hands. He just proved he was able to defend like a beast.

    But you know, even Cros has improved his handling skills lately, so it’s never too late!

    And he will play the Champions Cup with a solid Bayonne side, so let’s see!


    I don’t agree with ‘only Fischer’: Brennan proved he’s a great 4/7 utility player, and Galthié likes those very much (Woki or Flament). He’s 23, playing for Toulouse with high concurrence, so the prospect is good. I rate him higher than Auradou, who had a few games in the 6 Nations.

    For Depoortère, he had a more silent season than the previous one - injured at the worst moment during the Autumn Tests series - but came back strong with a Champions Cup and a solid partnership with Moefana. What could save him would be to start playing as a 12 when Moefana isn’t there, bulking up and become the new Jauzion.

    But he’s 22 and an incredible talent at 13. His height makes me think he had more potential than your fan favorite Costes or the utility player that is Gailleton.


    As for Montagne or Mallez, with the lack of quality in props, they could find a spot!

    Especially Mallez who’s got a good spot to get behind Baille at Toulouse. Neti isn’t the youngest and hasn’t an international level.


    And again, as Ugo Mola said, you never play with your best team.

    So 30-32 player is more of a 38-40, so you need back-ups.

    France knows very well how useful they can be during RWCs.

    235 Go to comments
    S
    Soliloquin 1 hour ago
    Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

    Hastoy was a good prospect before the 2023 RWC, he was the fly-half who led La Rochelle to the victory in the Champions Cup final in Dublin against Leinster.

    But he made it to the squad only because Ntamack got his ACL.

    He played against Uruguay, which a terribly poor game by the French side, and since then he declined a bit, alongside his club.

    Under the pressure of Reus and West at 10, he regained some credit at the end of the season (among all a drop at the 81st minute of a game).

    He’s quite good everywhere, but not outstanding.

    He doesn’t have the nerves, the defense and the tactical brain of Ntamack, the leadership and the creativity of Ramos or the exceptional attacking skills of Jalibert.


    I really hope that:

    -Ntamack will get his knee back. The surgery went well. He wasn’t the most elusive player in the world, but he was capable of amazing rushes like the one against NZ in 2021 or the Brennus-winning try in 2023.

    -Jalibert will continue to improve his defense. He started working hard since March (after his defensive disaster against England) with a XIII specialist, and I’ve seen great moments, especially against Ntamack in the SF of the Champions Cup. It’s never too late. And it would be a great signal for Galthié.

    -Hastoy will build up his partnership with Le Garrec, that La Rochelle will start a new phase with them and Niniashvili, Alldritt, Atonio, Boudehent, Jegou, Bosmorin, Bourgarit, Nowell, Wardi, Daunivucu, Kaddouri, Pacôme…

    235 Go to comments
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