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Any fears that the wheels may come off Benetton’s late run to the United Rugby Championship (URC) playoffs were answered emphatically in the first of their two matches in South Africa.
Venter (26'), Louw (40'), Merwe (61'), Pretorius (76')
Tries
Umaga (6'), Mendy (12', 38'), Marin (22'), Ruzza (43')
Wolhuter (27', 41', 61', 76')
Conversions
Umaga (7', 23', 38', 44')
Wolhuter (5')
Penalties
Umaga (17', 34', 64')
Any fears that the wheels may come off Benetton’s late run to the United Rugby Championship (URC) playoffs were answered emphatically in the first of their two matches in South Africa.
The Italian side’s 41-32 victory over The Lions in Johannesburg pushed them up to fifth place, four points ahead of the Scarlets in ninth.
| # | Team | PL | W | L | D | PD | BP | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Leinster Rugby | 15 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 220 | 11 | 67 |
| 2 |  Glasgow Warriors | 15 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 182 | 14 | 58 |
| 3 |  Vodacom Bulls | 15 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 110 | 10 | 54 |
| 4 |  Hollywoodbets Sharks | 15 | 10 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 49 |
| 5 |  Benetton Treviso | 15 | 8 | 6 | 1 | -51 | 7 | 41 |
| 6 |  Cardiff Rugby | 15 | 7 | 7 | 1 | -39 | 11 | 41 |
| 7 |  Munster Rugby | 15 | 7 | 8 | 0 | -7 | 12 | 40 |
| 8 |  DHL Stormers | 15 | 7 | 8 | 0 | -8 | 12 | 40 |
| 9 |  Scarlets | 15 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 28 | 8 | 38 |
| 10 |  Ulster Rugby | 15 | 7 | 8 | 0 | -41 | 9 | 37 |
| 11 |  Edinburgh Rugby | 15 | 6 | 9 | 0 | 24 | 13 | 37 |
| 12 |  Connacht Rugby | 15 | 5 | 10 | 0 | -33 | 15 | 35 |
| 13 |  Ospreys | 15 | 6 | 8 | 1 | -30 | 7 | 33 |
| 14 |  Emirates Lions | 15 | 6 | 9 | 0 | -45 | 7 | 31 |
| 15 |  Zebre Rugby | 15 | 5 | 10 | 0 | -120 | 7 | 27 |
| 16 |  Dragons | 15 | 1 | 14 | 0 | -193 | 5 | 09 |
It was an afternoon to remember for Jacob Umaga, who has fallen behind Tomas Albornoz as first choice flyhalf this season. He showed his class throughout the match and ended with a try, three conversions, and four penalties.
ODOGWU - BACK AND FIRING
His halfback partner, Alessandro Garbisi, was the official Player of the Match, a feather in his cap as he tussles with Andy Uren for the number nine shirt.
Argentine wing Ignacio Mendy ended with two tries, while fullback Leonardo Marin finished a smart attacking move helped by the newly fit Paolo Odogwu showing that he is nearing his best.
In the pack number 8 Lorenzo Cannone was a powerful force, and captain for the day Federico Ruzza led by example and grabbed a deserved try.
RUN-IN OF CHAMPIONS
Coach Marco Bortolami will be concerned by their ill-discipline. Three players – Ruzza, Siua Maile, and Giosué Zilocchi – were sin-binned, and stronger teams than The Lions will be less wasteful when facing 14 men for 30 minutes.
Benetton now face the last three URC champions. Next up are The Stormers in Cape Town, then it’s back home to face Glasgow Warriors, before travelling to Limerick to take on Munster.
On paper, it is a vicious way to end the season, but one thing a confident Benetton have done well is answer the questions thrown their way, and there is nothing to suggest that will stop as the playoffs draw ever closer.
