Benetton secured a 41-15 bonus-point and record-breaking win over the Lions in Treviso, sending their visitors back home with three consecutive losses in Europe.
Several mistakes made by the Lions led to turnover ball, off which Benetton scored two of their four tries in the first half to lead 24-10. The Lions' lack of speed on the defence and attack is costing them at the halftime break. The second half was a bit of a dull affair; however, Benneton did score ten points in the second half to secure an easy 41-20 win.
With not even a minute of play in the first half, Chris Smith converted a penalty to edge the Lions into a 03-00 lead.
From the resulting kickoff, Benetton set up camp in the Lions' half, and following wave after wave of attacks, it was Rhyno Smith who beat several defenders out wide to score Benetton’s first try to lead 05-03.
Benetton struck off a knock-on by the Lions in their twenty-two, and Louis Lynagh scored Benetton’s second try to lead 10-03 after fifteen minutes of play in the first half.
Helped on by the errors made by the Lions, Benetton again attacked from their half with several players handling. At the end, it was Simone Ferrari who bulldozed his way over the Lions' tryline. This time, Rhyno Smith was on target to extend Benetton’s lead to 17-03.
Following a try by Angelo Davids being disallowed, the Lions kept the pressure on their hosts, and eventually they attacked off a lineout thirty meters out wide. Asenathi Ntlabakanye received the final pass to cruise over the tryline of Benetton. Chris Smith converted to cut Benetton’s lead to 17-10.
From the resulting kick-off, Benetton attacked down the middle, and Michel Lynaght's speed and flair secured him a second try, while Benetton earned their bonus point try after just thirty minutes of play. Smith converted to restore Benetton’s lead to fourteen points.
Benetton led 24-10 at the halftime break.
Rhyno Smith converted a penalty to extend Benetton’s lead to 27-10 after just one minute of play in the second half.
Both teams seemingly accepted their fate until Benetton upped their pace of play, resulting in Louis Lynagh outpacing the Lions down the touchline to score his third try. Jacob Umaga converted to extend Benetton’s lead to 34-10 with eight minutes still to play in the second half.
The Lions’ Conraad van Vuuren scored a consolation try, which was immediately replied to by Benetton with a fourth try by Louis Lynagh to secure a 41-5 win.
Teams:
Benetton Rugby:15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Louis Lynagh, 13 Tommaso Menoncello, 12 Malakai Fekitoa, 11 Ignacio Mendy, 10 Jacob Umaga, 9 Louis Werchon, 8 Lorenzo Cannone, 7 Michele Lamaro (c), 6 Alessandro Izekor, 5 Eli Snyman, 4 Niccolò Cannone, 3 Simone Ferrari, 2 Siua Maile, 1 Mirco Spagnolo. Replacements: 16 Bautista Bernasconi, 17 Thomas Gallo, 18 Giosué Zilocchi, 19 Riccardo Favretto, 20 John Bryant, 21 Andy Uren, 22 Giuliano Avaca, 23 Filippo Drago.
Lions:15 Quan Horn, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Richard Kriel, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (c), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Franco Marais, 1 SJ Kotze. Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 RF Schoeman, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Darrien Landsberg, 20 Jarod Cairns, 21 Nico Steyn, 22 Sam Francis, 23 Manuel Rass.