Leinster punish fading Lions

The Lions won’t advance to the Vodacom United Rugby Championship playoffs after surrendering a 15-point result in log-leaders Leinster at Ellis Park on Saturday night time.

The vacationers absorbed two yellow playing cards after which scored 18 unanswered factors within the remaining quarter to negate a 26-14 half-time deficit and clinch a thriller 39-36.

Leinster struck within the opening phases of the competition as tighthead prop Vakhtang Abdaladze broke the road within the Lions 22 and received the race to the try-line.

The Lions bounced again quickly after, winger Edwill Van Der Merwe displaying some fancy footwork as he stepped 4 defenders to attain from an attacking lineout.

Edwill van der Merwe is a attempt scoring machine 🤖! 🤩 @Vodacom #URC | #LIOvLEI pic.twitter.com/HqJ0WHnMsd

— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) April 15, 2023

Flyhalf Gianni Lombard then produced some particular person brilliance, breaking the road and twice grubbering earlier than gathering the ball to attain the Lions’ second attempt.

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Leinster then confirmed their class when outdoors centre Liam Turner capped off a unbelievable crew attempt from some glorious dealing with.

The Lions replied with some magic, Van Der Merwe throwing an enormous dummy earlier than giving it to scrumhalf Sanele Nohamba who made an audacious out-the-back cross for Marius Louw to cross the whitewash.

Persevering with to threaten on assault, the ball discovered No 8 Francke Horn on the wing and he beat a number of defenders to the try-line, claiming the bonus-point attempt because the Lions headed into the break with a 26-14 lead.

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Nonetheless, the lead was lower to only 5 when Leinster prop Michael Milne went over from a pick-and-go, however Nohamba replied with a penalty to push the distinction to eight.

Leinster have been then diminished to 13-men with two yellow playing cards – each for deliberate knock-ons that led to a penalty attempt to which left them trailing 36-21 after the third quarter.

Leinster flyhalf Sam Prendergast slotted a penalty after which arrange substitute winger Rob Russell to attain with a fragile cross-kick after a fortuitous bounce.

Rob Russell reaches over and secures the attempt for @leinsterrugby! 🔵 @Vodacom #URC | #LIOvLEI pic.twitter.com/FB4hleYLUC

— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) April 15, 2023

Fullback Chris Cosgrove levelled the scores, dotting down with minutes left to play as his attempt arrange a grandstand end. And Prendergast delivered the heartbreak for Lions supporters with a penalty proper in entrance on the hooter as Leinster stored their good report.

Picture By Harry Murphy/Getty Photos)