The Vodacom Bulls travelled to Benetton to make history and land their first European trophy. Unfortunately, Benetton physical and clinical approach to the game proved too much for the Bulls. Benetton deservedly the winners with 35-08 to claim the 2021 Rainbow Cup.
Decision making by the Bulls was sub-standard, however, the Bulls shocked out of their comfort zone with the "type" of rugby Benetton played. An early warning to all South African teams what to expect in the rebranded United Rugby Championship later in 2021.
05:01 Benetton started like a house on fire. They attacked the defence of the Bulls with direct and powerful running. Monty Ioane scored the hosts first try to take an early lead, (05-00).
19:51 Paolo Garbisi adds crucial conversion of a penalty to increase Benetton's lead, (08-00).
20:00 Benetton's continued pressure on the Bulls defensive system forced the Bulls into conceding several penalties. The momentum at this stage with Benetton.
26:45 Madosh Tambwe scored the Bulls first try. Tambwe going over after a 5m lineout-maul from the Bulls could not get over Benetton's tryline, (08-05).
30:36 Chris Smith converts a penalty for the Bulls from 5m within his half, (08-08).
31:40 An instant response from Benetton after a horrible mistake by the Bulls in their in-goal area. Corniel Els falls on the ball after the mistake by van Zyl, (13-08).
40:08 Corniel Els "scored" his second try for Benetton after a great maul from a lineout by Benetton 20m from the Bulls try-line. However, Els lost control of the ball as he scored. A high tackle by Stravino Jacobs on Els resulted in a penalty try being awarded to Benetton and Jacobs sent off with a yellow card, (20-08).
40:00 Benetton bullied the Bulls physically throughout most of the first half. The Bulls did claw their way back into the game in the latter part of the first half, however, the Bulls need their halfbacks to take control of the game while decision making on the field of play also needs attention.
42:31 Benetton started the way they ended the first half when Michele Lamaro scored their fourth try. The aggression with which Benetton attacks is creating gaps in the Bulls defence, (27-08).
47:31 Paolo Garbisi converts his second penalty for Benetton, (30-08).
57:04 Edoardo Padovani score Benetton's fifth try as the hapless and shameful defence by the Bulls could not stop him, (35-09).
60:00 Benetton hands down the best team and comfortably on their way to the 2021 Rainbow Cup Champions.
A well-deserved win by Benetton against a hapless Vodacom Bulls.
Scorers:
Benetton: Tries: Monty Ioane, Corniel Els, Penalty Try, Michele Lamaro, Edoardo Padovani. Conversions: Paolo Garbisi (2). Penalty: Paolo Garbisi.
Vodacom Bulls: Try: Madosh Tambwe. Penalty: Chris Smit.
Benetton Rugby: 15 Jayden Hayward, 14 Edoardo Padovani, 13 Ignacio Brex, 12 Marco Zanon, 11 Monty Ioane, 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage (captain), 8 Toa Halafihi, 7 Michele Lamaro, 6 Sebastian Negri, 5 Federico Ruzza, 4 Niccolò Cannone, 3 Marco Riccioni, 2 Corniel Els, 1 Thomas Gallo. Replacements: 16 Gianmarco Lucchesi, 17 Ivan Nemer, 18 Filippo Alongi, 19 Irné Herbst, 20 Manuel Zuliani, 21 Marco Barbini, 22 Callum Braley, 23 Ratuva Tavuyara.
Vodacom Bulls: 15 David Kriel, 14 Madosh Tambwe, 13 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 7 Ruan Nortje, 6 Nizaam Carr, 5 Jan Uys, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp. Replacements (from): 16 Schalk Erasmus, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Lizo Gqoboka, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 Muller Uys, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Clinton Swart, 23 Gio Aplon, 24 Robert Hunt, 25 Keagan Johannes, 26 WJ Steenkamp, 27 Dawid Kellerman, 28 Sydney Tobias.