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Watch: Great day turns ugly as Springbok Jesse Kriel has nasty head clash in match-winning performance
By Sam Smith
Springbok centre Jesse Kriel has inspired his Canon Eagles side to a 40-32 win over Yamaha Jubilo in the latest round of the Japan Top League, but a gruesome injury soured his day somewhat.
Two second half tries by Kriel kept his side in the hunt as they looked to get their first win of the season after three opening losses to keep their season hopes alive.
The first try came on a wrap around play which saw the centre juggle a pass before regathering to score in the corner with an outstretched hand. The put down was on a tightrope with Kriel's legs narrowly missing touch as he powered over in a two-man tackle.
The second try was a well-worked set-piece move which saw Kriel recieve the last pass to score directly under the posts after an inside ball to Canon winger and fellow South African SP Marias.
It wasn't all great news for Kriel, who was involved in an ugly head clash with Australian flyhalf Sam Greene which left the Springbok with a monster cut above his left eye.
In a photo shared by Kriel after the match with the caption 'winners are grinners', up to seven staples are seen on a makeshift stitch-up of the gruesome cut.
Kriel's two-try performance moved his season tally to three, which is one behind Springbok teammate Malcolm Marx at NTT Shining Arcs and equal with Willie Le Roux at Toyota Verblitz.
Watch: Jesse Kriel's two tries for Canon against Yamaha below.
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Dickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
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