Stormers score after the siren to profit from Lions' lack of closing
A last-gasp try by centre Ruhan Nel helped the Stormers edge the Lions 33-30 in a thrilling encounter at Ellis Park on Saturday.
The result means the Stormers are still unbeaten in this year’s competition with three wins from three matches.
It was a dramatic finish to the game. After the full-time hooter sounded and with Lions leading 30-26, the Stormers launched one final attack from halfway and after several phases, it was Nel who ran in for the winning score.
It was the Stormers’ first win in Johannesburg since 2015
The Stormers nearly opened the scoring in the second minute when Seabelo Senatla kicked and gathered a loose ball before being tackled a few metres from the Lions’ tryline.
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Instead, it was the Lions who got the first points of the game in the eighth minute with Elton Jantjies converting a penalty into three points.
However, the Stormers found themselves on the board and in front in the 12th minute when No.8 Juarno Augustus stretched the ball over the tryline after sustained pressure inside the Lions’ 22.
Damian Willemse was successful with the conversion for a four-point lead.
The Stormers went further in front in the 20th minute after scrumhalf intercepted a pass near halfway before sprinting downfield for the try.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8mNnx_gFXg/
The Cape side then conceded their first try of the season when Lions fullback Andries Coetzee went over for the score after a great offload by Len Massyn in the tackle near the corner flag.
With momentum on their side and camped in the Stormers’ 22, the Lions went in front in the 30th minute after wing Courtnall Skosan collected a neat kick-pass from Jantjies to run in for his team’s second try.
Jantjies added the extra two points with the conversion for a three-point lead.
Willemse converted a scrum penalty into three points to level the scores in the 37th minute before adding another three points just before the break to give his team an 18-15 lead at half-time.
He was sent off last year for the exact same hit against All Black star Brodie Retallick. https://t.co/iPdFGN46W5
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 15, 2020
It was a dream start for the Stormers in the second half after some great interplay out wide saw Sergeal Petersen run into space to score his team’s third try of the game.
Willemse then made it an 11-point ball game when he converted a penalty in the 48th minute.
The next 20 minutes was a bit of an arm-wrestle before the Lions finally hit back in the 68th when Jantjies ran through a big hole in the Stormers defence to score a try. He converted the try to close the gap to just four points with 10 minutes left on the clock.
The Lions started to run the Stormers ragged out wide and they were in front in the 73rd minute after Dan Kriel sprinted in for a try against his former team.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8hvIPjA7Ei/
Jantjies missed the conversion, but the Lions were shortly awarded a penalty on halfway which gave the Lions the opportunity to wind the game down with just minutes to spare.
The Lions decided a shot at goal was the best way to close the match out, which Jantjies then expertly slotted from the 50-metre line.
The Stormers went wide from the kick-off and eventually lost the ball over the sideline, which again handed the Lions the ball. The Lions once again failed to shut the Stormers out, however, and promptly conceded possession from the ensuing maul.
With time up on the clock, the Stormers had one more play in them to snatch a late win. The ball was kept alive inside the Lions’ half for several phases and after some great interplay, the home side’s defence finally cracked with Petersen offloading the ball to Ruhan Nel to sprint in for the winning score.
– with Rugby365
Michael Fatialofa has released footage of his landmark first steps following spinal injury:
Comments on RugbyPass
100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
8 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
8 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
8 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
8 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
7 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
7 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to comments