Lions survive Waratahs onslaught

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   https://www.supersport.com/rugby/super-rugby/news/190511_Lions_survive_Waratahs_onslaught
Swys de Bruin may well have been looking for an easy return to Vodacom Super Rugby after a stress-illness enforced break, but on Saturday his side fought their way to a nail-biting 29-28 victory over the Waratahs on a crisp autumn afternoon.

Replacement flyhalf Shaun Reynolds slotted a penalty 11 minutes from the end that proved to be the difference between the two sides in a slugfest where both scored four tries apiece and the winner was in doubt until the last seconds.

The Waratahs should be commended for their never-say-die attitude, as they gave as good as they got and with a little more luck could easily ended up on the winning side.

But the victory will do well to settle the nerves at Emirates Airline Park as the last stretch in the competition will be a dogfight as every team in the South African conference still has a chance.

At the end of the day one statistic probably clinched it for the Lions – and that was their discipline. The Waratahs ended up on the wrong side of a 11-2 penalty count and in a game of inches this was simply enough.

While the game was entertaining, it contained a high error rate, so much so that neither side could assert their dominance over the other while consistently trying to entertain.

And if the Lions were hoping the warm autumn Highveld sun would met the Waratahs aspirations they got a rude awakening early on with the Tahs being more than a match for them in the early exchanges.

It was Waratah scrumhalf Nick Phipps who opened the scoring after just six minutes, pouncing on an inside ball after sustained pressure to see a gap and dart through to score.

The Lions hit back six minutes later, making their intentions clear as first they hammered the Waratahs line with two lineout penalties before Aphiwe Dyantyi popped up in the backline to stretch his arm over and score.

Any hope that they would surge ahead was pulled back by some poor defence as Michael Hooper found himself in so much clear space that he ran in untouched to put his side ahead again, as the Lions had to play catch-up.

But the to-and-fro continued, with the Lions again forcing their way up to the Waratahs line, and Stephan Lewies, who had a decent game, barging over from close range.

The Tahs exploited the Lions defensive woes for a third time on the half hour as lock Rob Simmons ran a beautiful cross line to find an easy way though the Lions bodies defending their line to score.

But just six minutes later the Lions hit back again, this time thanks to a great run by Harold Vorster, who drew in three defenders before placing the perfect grubber for Kwagga Smith to run in and pounce behind the tryline.

Two points separated the teams at halftime and just in the second half it looked as if the Lions would start to pull away when Courtnall Skosan scored early on. The try came from a wonderful rip by Smith and some excellent interplay between Malcolm Marx, captain Warren Whiteley and Stephan Lewies before the ball found Skosan in space to run away and score.

The Lions were looking comfortable when a counter attack and a strong run down the touchline by Curtis Rona took him to the line despite three defenders trying to stop him, and the recycled ball found Tom Staniforth who crashed over to give his side a slim two point lead with 20 minutes to go.

Reynolds took a clever penalty to give the Lions the lead with 11 to go, but right until the whistle both sides kept up punching and counter-punching until both were punch drunk. From a skills viewpoint this was often a hit and miss, but eight tries on the afternoon and an intent to attack from both sides made it a more entertaining game than expected.

And in the end the Lions managed to hold out for the win, and a sigh of relief for their beleaguered coach on his return to his beloved coaching spot.

Scorers

Emirates Lions – tries: Aphiwe Dyantyi, Stephan Lewies, Kwagga Smith, Courtnall Skosan. Conversions: Elton Jantjies (3). Penalty: Shaun Reynolds

Waratahs – tries: Nick Phipps, Michael Hooper, Rob Simmons, Tom Staniforth. Conversions: Bernard Foley (4)

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Transvaal Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 30-Mar-2016 Status: Offline Points: 39121	Post Options Post Reply Quote Transvaal Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Lions survive Waratahs onslaught Posted: 13-May-2019 at 11:15am
	https://www.supersport.com/rugby/super-rugby/news/190511_Lions_survive_Waratahs_onslaught Swys de Bruin may well have been looking for an easy return to Vodacom Super Rugby after a stress-illness enforced break, but on Saturday his side fought their way to a nail-biting 29-28 victory over the Waratahs on a crisp autumn afternoon. Replacement flyhalf Shaun Reynolds slotted a penalty 11 minutes from the end that proved to be the difference between the two sides in a slugfest where both scored four tries apiece and the winner was in doubt until the last seconds. The Waratahs should be commended for their never-say-die attitude, as they gave as good as they got and with a little more luck could easily ended up on the winning side. But the victory will do well to settle the nerves at Emirates Airline Park as the last stretch in the competition will be a dogfight as every team in the South African conference still has a chance. At the end of the day one statistic probably clinched it for the Lions – and that was their discipline. The Waratahs ended up on the wrong side of a 11-2 penalty count and in a game of inches this was simply enough. While the game was entertaining, it contained a high error rate, so much so that neither side could assert their dominance over the other while consistently trying to entertain. And if the Lions were hoping the warm autumn Highveld sun would met the Waratahs aspirations they got a rude awakening early on with the Tahs being more than a match for them in the early exchanges. It was Waratah scrumhalf Nick Phipps who opened the scoring after just six minutes, pouncing on an inside ball after sustained pressure to see a gap and dart through to score. The Lions hit back six minutes later, making their intentions clear as first they hammered the Waratahs line with two lineout penalties before Aphiwe Dyantyi popped up in the backline to stretch his arm over and score. Any hope that they would surge ahead was pulled back by some poor defence as Michael Hooper found himself in so much clear space that he ran in untouched to put his side ahead again, as the Lions had to play catch-up. But the to-and-fro continued, with the Lions again forcing their way up to the Waratahs line, and Stephan Lewies, who had a decent game, barging over from close range. The Tahs exploited the Lions defensive woes for a third time on the half hour as lock Rob Simmons ran a beautiful cross line to find an easy way though the Lions bodies defending their line to score. But just six minutes later the Lions hit back again, this time thanks to a great run by Harold Vorster, who drew in three defenders before placing the perfect grubber for Kwagga Smith to run in and pounce behind the tryline. Two points separated the teams at halftime and just in the second half it looked as if the Lions would start to pull away when Courtnall Skosan scored early on. The try came from a wonderful rip by Smith and some excellent interplay between Malcolm Marx, captain Warren Whiteley and Stephan Lewies before the ball found Skosan in space to run away and score. The Lions were looking comfortable when a counter attack and a strong run down the touchline by Curtis Rona took him to the line despite three defenders trying to stop him, and the recycled ball found Tom Staniforth who crashed over to give his side a slim two point lead with 20 minutes to go. Reynolds took a clever penalty to give the Lions the lead with 11 to go, but right until the whistle both sides kept up punching and counter-punching until both were punch drunk. From a skills viewpoint this was often a hit and miss, but eight tries on the afternoon and an intent to attack from both sides made it a more entertaining game than expected. And in the end the Lions managed to hold out for the win, and a sigh of relief for their beleaguered coach on his return to his beloved coaching spot. Scorers Emirates Lions – tries: Aphiwe Dyantyi, Stephan Lewies, Kwagga Smith, Courtnall Skosan. Conversions: Elton Jantjies (3). Penalty: Shaun Reynolds Waratahs – tries: Nick Phipps, Michael Hooper, Rob Simmons, Tom Staniforth. Conversions: Bernard Foley (4)