Glasgow seen off by more late heroics from Benetton's teenage star
Fly-half Leonardo Marin sunk Glasgow with a dramatic last-gasp penalty as Benetton claimed a 19-18 United Rugby Championship victory.
The 19-year-old struck with the game’s final kick at Stadio di Monigo to thwart Danny Wilson’s team.
Glasgow looked on course for a fourth victory of their league campaign, but they were ultimately punished by Marin after pulling down a line-out inside their own half.
Marin was Benetton’s hero in similar circumstances against Edinburgh in Round 2, kicking a stunning late drop goal to clinch the win.
Number eight Jack Dempsey and flanker Rory Darge scored tries for Glasgow, while fly-half Ross Thompson kicked two penalties and a conversion.
A dogged Benetton side, though, stayed in the hunt after full-back Rhyno Smith claimed a try inside the opening minute, with flanker Giovanni Pettinelli also crossing and Marin booting three penalties.
Smith ensured a scintillating start to the game by scoring an outstanding solo try after just 36 seconds when he attacked the Glasgow defence from halfway, kicked ahead and gathered a kind bounce.
It was an immediate warning to the visitors, but they responded impressively and drew level just six minutes later following good work by their forwards that ended with Dempsey crashing over from close range.
Thompson nudged Glasgow ahead through a 19th-minute penalty, yet Benetton soon regained the lead after the visitors struggled to halt some powerful ball-carrying, and Pettinelli claimed his team’s second try.
That score was followed by a Marin penalty, only for Glasgow to regroup and patiently build phases that eventually unlocked Benetton’s defence when Darge touched down and Thompson converted, securing a 15-13 interval advantage.
And Benetton, having lost momentum, exacerbated their situation within four minutes of the restart.
Italy captain Michele Lamaro was sin-binned for a technical infringement and Thompson kicked an easy penalty to give Glasgow a five-point lead as Benetton regrouped amid a temporary one-man disadvantage.
But Glasgow could not extend their lead, and Benetton set up a tense final 15 minutes when Marin kicked his second penalty that cut the gap to two points.
Marin then missed a 73rd-minute chance to edge Benetton ahead when he sent a short-range penalty attempt wide, before stepping up and making amends in dramatic fashion.
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
37 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
37 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments