1
Jantjies stars as Lions advance along Easy Street
By Tom Webber
Elton Jantjies played a starring role as Lions extended their Super Rugby winning streak to nine matches with a 51-14 mauling of Bulls.
Springbok fly-half Jantjies provided 16 points and was at the heart of Lions' play as they ran in seven tries for a bonus-point victory.
Ruan Combrinck opened the scoring in the second minute and doubled his tally at the end of the first half, adding to efforts from Kwagga Smith, Ruan Dreyer and captain Warren Whiteley.
Jan Serfontein and Jesse Kriel got on the board for Bulls, but Franco Mostert's try three minutes after the restart scuppered their hopes of a comeback.
Lions controlled the rest of the match, but did not add to their score until Lionel Mapoe touched down and Jantjies had the final say, adding the extras with the last kick of the game.
Southern Kings fell to a first defeat in four as Brumbies rallied to a 19-10 victory with two unanswered second-half tries.
Josh Mann-Rea responded to an early penalty try awarded to the Kings, but a missed conversion and a Lionel Cronje penalty gave the South Africa franchise a five-point lead at the break.
But Aidan Toua and Tom Banks ran in scores within seven minutes of one another and Wharenui Hawera converted both as Brumbies ended a run of four straight losses.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
All Blacks XV player ratings vs Munster
3
Suaalii strikes awe as Wallabies lose midfielder
4
Scott Robertson responds about handling errors
5
Latest Comments
The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
Go to comments