Lions claw way back as thin Highveld air sucks sting out of Reds
THE Lions produced a stirring second-half display to complete a memorable come-from-behind victory here last night.
They clawed their way back inchby-inch as the Reds faded in the rarefied Highveld air to record their fourth and perhaps best Super Rugby win of the season.
Again however, questionable of- ficiating was put in the spotlight after the Reds seethed at the lopsided penalty count against them.
“The penalty count was 19-4 against us and I don’t think I’ve been involved in a game where the penalty count was like that,” said a fiery Reds coach Richard Graham. “Certainly we will be speaking to Lyndon Bray, the referees boss, to seek clarification. It was extremely frustrating.” Captain James Horwill looked perplexed too.
The mounting second-half penalty count conspired against the Reds. Repeated offences meant Albert Anae and Jake Schatz were sinbinned in the hyperventilating last 10 minutes when the tourists needed all hands on deck.
Kudos to the Lions, though, for regathering themselves during the break. “I told the guys at half time to reset the scoreboard in their minds. All I asked was for them to try and win the second half,” beamed Lions coach Johan Ackermann.
The hosts overturned a 20-6 deficit and shot into the lead for the first time with just three minutes left when Courtnall Skosan’s effort was given the green light by the TV match official — another decision that will invite further scrutiny.
The Lions were imbued with belief in the second half and played with a greater purpose, and scrumhalf Faf de Klerk was the embodiment of their new-found fervour.
The comeback gradually gained traction through their rolling maul and set phases. Captain Warren Whiteley increased his range of influence, while Jaco Kriel and replacement MB Lusaseni toiled hard.
Super Rugby, however, is a school of hard knocks and the Lions were taught some valuable lessons in the first half. They fruitlessly tried to run the Reds off their feet but went the direct route in the second.
Earlier the visitors were the more clinical side with their eight, nine and 10 axis setting them apart.
Quade Cooper drifted in and out of the game, usually timing his re-entry with telling effect. Scrumhalf Will Genia pulled the strings genially, while the stock of combative No 8 Schatz continues to soar.
The visitors found themselves 10 points to the good after just six minutes following an early penalty and a goal. The Lions tried to exit their 22 on foot but Deon van Rensburg was caught in possession, the ball was prised from him and Cooper cantered over.
The crowd cheered heartily when Marnitz Boshoff raised the flags with his first attempt but Cooper has more dummies than a millionaire’s baby and he pulled a rather sizeable one out of the bag in the 23rd minute.
The Lions laid siege to the Reds’ 22 in the last six minutes of the half but only had a penalty to show for it, but the momentum swung inexorably in their favour in the second.