| Zebre (10) 29 |
| Tries: Kriel, Bruno Gesi, Gesi Pelser, Smith Cons: Eden 2 |
| Leinster (28) 33 |
| Tries: McGrath Ruddock 2, Jenkins Kearney Cons: R Byrne 4 |
Leinster defeated Zebre’s strong challenge to win 33-29 in the opening game of the United Rugby Championship.
The Irish province scored four second-half tries to lead 28-10 at break. With their bonus point already in hand, they had already won.
The bottom team of last season fought back. Their five tries and four-point deficit ensured they got two bonus points.
The relief of Leinster saw him hold on for victory by four points.
Zebre, which won just one of their 18 URC matches last season, was just short of a historic victory over Leinster, after their impressive second-half performance at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.
Luke McGrath (2), Rhys Ruddock (2), and Jason Jenkins made it clear that Leinster was in control at half-time. Pierre Bruno and Richard Kriel were the only home players.
Simone Gesi, MJ Pelser and MJ Palser crossed in the second period. The deficit was cut to 28-22. After Zebre’s conversion attempt by Dave Kearney, the margin was down four to four.
Zebre tried to win an unlikely victory, but even though they lost, their performance will be a huge encouragement for the rest of the season.
McGrath was able to cross from close range after six minutes, as Leinster won the opening exchanges. Ross Byrne added the conversion.
Ruddock powered through a few Zebre bodies, adding Leinster’s second before the clock reached 20 minutes.
Zebre lost captain David Sisi, who was being penalized for a series of infractions committed by the home team.
Ruddock worked his way up as Leinster made quick work of it – Byrne split the posts again – but Zebre came up with a real try of quality.
The hosts quickly spread out the ball to the left wing after a scrum. Kriel was excellent with the ball and gave the opportunity for debutant Kriel to cross.
Zebre missed the conversion, but Zebre quickly added a second attempt when Tiff Eden’s kick off the wing was captured by Bruno. Bruno then chased down his own chip forward.
Eden was off target from the tee again, and normal service was briefly resumed when debutant Jenkins won the bonus point with a strong finish. Byrne converted.
The second half started strongly for Zebre and Gesi pushed for the line in corner to score their third try. Pelser then crashed through Jamie Osborne’s attempt to tackle him to go under the posts. Eden converted, his first successful kick of match, making it 28-22
Kearney restored some daylight, but Leinster will be relieved to have escaped with the win after Smith’s try – converted Eden – put them under intense pressure late in the game.
Zebre: Kriel, Bruno, Cronje, Lucchin, Gesi, Eden, Cook, Buonfiglio, Du Toit, Nocera, Sisi, Krumov, Andreani, Pelser, Fox-Matamua.
Replacements: Bigi, Pitinari, Hasa, Furno, Volpi, Fusco, Smith, Trulla.
Leinster: O’Reilly: Russell, Osborne, Ngatai, Kearney; R Byrne, McGrath; E Byrne, Kelleher, Ala’alatoa; Molony, Jenkins; Ruddock, Penny, Deegan.
Replacements: McKee, Milne, Abdaladze, Deeny, Soroka, N McCarthy, Frawley, Conners.
Referee: Ben Blain (SRU)