While Round 1 of the URC was a round of high-scoring, bonus-point-earning clashes, Round 2 was a round of close encounters. Four of the six games that went ahead last weekend (thank you Storm Amy) were decided by a margin of 3 points or fewer – including a rare draw between the Dragons and the Sharks. There were big wins for the Italian sides as Benetton overcame Glasgow and Zebre earned a historic victory over the Lions.
While the Lions were largely poor in their defeat away at Zebre on Sunday, the back three, led by Quan Horn, tried their best to keep their side in the contest with brilliant counterattacking rugby in the 2nd half. They resorted to running back nearly every kick as Zebre displayed a far superior kicking game throughout. Horn helped himself to an excellent offload assist from a clever Hashiem Pead chip kick – 70 points
Much of what was said about Horn applies also to Keyter. His powerful running out wide – especially in transition – was key to the Lions’ fightback. He finished a try of the season contender, beating a defender in the process – 66 points
OB: Tom Bowen – Cardiff (3 tries, 2 linebreaks)
After only 2 weekends, we already have our 2nd hat-trick of the season. Bowen is an electric attacking winger with an incredible nose for the try line. His second try was particularly well taken, collecting the ball mid-dive from a smart Callum Sheedy kick-pass – 56 points
CE: Wandisile Simelane – Stormers (1 try, 8 tackle busts, 4 offloads) – Player of the Round
Simply sensational. Simelane’s hot stepping was just too much for the Ospreys’ defence to handle as he beat defender after defender from the fullback position. His touches were imbued with enough magic to inspire the Stormers to a come-from-behind victory after a strong start from the Welsh outfit. If you haven’t seen his try yet, do yourself a favour and go watch the highlights – another early try of the season contender – 86 points
A wrecking ball in midfield. Another Lion who put the team on his back and tried to drag them to victory. Carrying 16 times, with 14 of them dominant, is a Herculean effort with ball in hand. Weapon X continues to live up to his nickname – 71 points
In a low-scoring week for fly halves, solidity pays off. The Dragons and Sharks played out a draw in horrendous conditions. de Beer shone in the wet and wind guiding his team expertly through the game. He kicked all his goals and slipped Wainwright through a gap in the defence with a tip-on pass for his try – 46 points
SH: Kieran Hardy – Ospreys (2 tries, 40 passes)
Often derided in Welsh rugby for his perceived slowness and penchant for box kicks, Hardy was excellent on Friday night – particularly going into half-time where they led the Stormers. His two tries were both well taken despite their differing lengths. His first was a clever snipe close to the line, while for his second, he ran in a superb blindside set-piece move originating from their own half – 66 points
A game of silky hands and powerful carrying from the Leinsterman. He carried 16 times for over 40 metres and made 11 passes as well as 2 offloads. His dummy into a no-look pass to assist Thomas Clarkson’s try was exquisite – excellent skills for a forward – 72 points
BK: Alun Lawrence – Cardiff (1 try assist, 17 carries)
Lawrence had his hands in many aspects of Cardiff’s game as they just came up short away at Munster. He took 4 lineouts, made 10 tackles, carried 17 times, and made 8 passes. Yet he still had the energy to break the line and find support in Bowen to earn Cardiff 2 bonus points in the 80th minute – 57 points
While the Lions struggled for cohesion, there was no lack of effort from certain players. None more so than Ruan Venter, who carried the ball repeatedly into a staunch Zebre defence, crossing the gainline more often than not – 56 points
A game in the wet and wind is often decided by the relative strength of the teams’ set-piece. In that respect, Orie marshalled the lineout excellently with the Sharks making few mistakes in that department. He was solid on defence making 15/15 tackles. His score is helped by his pick-and-go try early in the contest – 55 points
Oguntibeju is an extremely athletic lock who also packs a punch. This was on show away at Benetton where he forced his way over the line for the opening score of the night – 44 points
PR: Danny Southworth – Cardiff (100% scrum success, 11 tackles)
A solid, physical, and mistake-free performance from the Cardiff prop forward. He didn’t miss a tackle or concede a penalty, and crossed the gainline for 6 of his 7 carries – 62 points
Zebre dominated the Lions’ set-piece throughout the contest with di Bartolomeo playing no small part in that. He scored a try at the back of the maul which was threatening all game long. di Bartolomeo also stood up on defence, making 17/17 tackles – 55 points
Clarkson powered his way over the line for Leinster’s first of the evening. He did his best in a ding-dong scrum battle that saw momentum shift multiple times over the course of the contest, with both him and opponent Gerhard Steenekamp conceding 2 penalties – 48 points
Mad that only 2 of these players were part of winning teams. Does the fantasy scoring need to be updated to reflect performances / difference makers that lead to success?
Mad that only 2 of these players were part of winning teams. Does the fantasy scoring need to be updated to reflect performances / difference makers that lead to success?