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Cardiff boost URC hopes as intercept try proves the difference vs Lions

By PA
Galway , Ireland - 15 February 2025; Cardiff Rugby head coach Matt Sherratt before the United Rugby Championship match between Connacht and Cardiff Rugby at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. (Photo By Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

An interception try from Harri Millard sealed Cardiff a 20-17 victory over the Lions to cement their place in the top six of the URC table.

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With his side trailing 17-13, Millard picked off a stray pass to race in from halfway and give his side four valuable league points.

Ben Donnell scored Cardiff’s other try with Callum Sheedy adding two conversions and two penalties.

Asenathi Ntlabakanye and Francke Horn scored Lions’ tries with Gianni Lombard kicking a penalty and two conversions.

Lions began strongly and their early pressure was rewarded when giant prop, Ntlabakanye, forced his way over from close range.

The visitors continued to dominate the first quarter but, against the run of play, Cardiff drew level. A thumping tackle from their scrum-half, Johan Mulder, earned a penalty and secured a line-out platform from where Donnell took advantage to score.

Sheedy converted and added a penalty after he was the victim of a needless clearout from opposition flanker, JC Pretorius.

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Penalties

13
Penalties Conceded
12
0
Yellow Cards
1
0
Red Cards
0

Lions looked to have regained the lead when Nico Steyn finished off a pre-planned line-out move but TMO replays showed an earlier forward pass so the South Africans trailed 10-7 at the interval.

Four minutes after the interval, Lombard brought the scores level with a penalty before Cardiff introduced Welsh international forwards, Keiron Assiratti, Teddy Williams and Corey Domachowski to boost their chances.

It soon paid dividends as Sheedy kicked his second penalty but Lions soon responded with a try from their number eight Horn and they looked set to take control of the match.

However Millard intercepted a telegraphed pass to run 55 metres and just hold off the cover defence and bring the home crowd to its feet.

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The score proved decisive as the Lions, hampered by a late yellow card for Lombard, could not take advantage of huge late pressure.

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S
SK 14 minutes ago
'Haves and have nots': The Six Nations numbers reveal hidden truths

Really interesting stats, especially around the scrums and the props spending so little time in them. The game is changing and is becoming faster but its also heavily territory and momentum dependent now. The amount of tries scored by forwards in the top 3 teams shows the importance of forward firepower at the lineout and is also of great importance when you are 5m out trying to get over the line from general play. Ireland don’t have behemoths but do well in this area due to superior technique and quality, France have the biggest most powerful pack and replace them with an arguably bigger pack with the 7-1 and England have plenty of power in this area. Teams are choosing to retain territory and use pens as a launchpad for dominating territory. Exits have also never been as important as they are today with teams giving away turnovers in their own half being heavily punished. The 50-22 is also important in this respect and we have seen how kickers go for it when on or inside their own 10. This especially happens directly after an aerial duel contest is won or in the event of a turnover in midfield. With the winger out of place and defence scrambling at the line a kicker is well within his rights to go for the 50-22. Giving away back to back penalties is also a no no as this leads to a 60-80m retreat. The Six Nations proves that in the modern age territorial supremacy and forward based power is what is winning games and championships.

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S
SK 42 minutes ago
South African rugby's top heavy house of cards

I think everyone knows that the SA teams are prioritising the URC which is why they have been so bad in Europe. The champions cup group stage fixtures couldnt come at a worse time for SA franchises. They come hot on the heels of the Autumn internationals and in December and Jan when its coldest in Europe and as hot as it gets in SA. During this period SA franchises have to leap from Africa to Europe one week after the next. SA franchises sometimes have to hop from Europe back to Africa and then back to Europe in 3 to 4 weeks. Mandatory Springbok rest periods are opted into by franchises to keep the players fit as the Springbok players cannot play year-round and injuries take their toll. Fatigue also sets in for players who have played non-stop since March as there is no global calendar. They don’t get a chance to regroup again until the six nations. SA teams prioritise what’s in front of them. The Springboks are top heavy and SA franchises are in Transition between the new and older generation. There are lots of youngsters coming through but they need more time at the top level. Coaching is also in transition in SA Rugby with many coaches at a young age. The age group levels SA has underperformed but the talent is there. Its coming through at franchise level and these players are getting great experience playing in a variety of comps. I would hardly call it a house of cards though. Succession planning has already become a reality. At Prop the Springboks are already replacing the seniors, at Scrum Half the Springboks are building depth and at 10 they have loads of options now and at 4 and 5 the Boks have used a host of players in recent years. Rassie has a plan for 2027 and the best coaching staff at international level. He has some difficult questions in front of him when it comes to the squad but is finding answers at the moment. Yes its possible Springbok performances could dip this year and perhaps in 2026 however I would not bet against them continuing to dominate while in transition. There were similar doubts cast about them last year and they proved the doubters wrong.

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