SA Rugby magazine rewinds to the 2021-22 Vodacom URC semi-final between Leinster and the Bulls in Dublin.
Leinster went into their home semi-final against the Bulls in the inaugural edition of the URC as clear favourites having topped the log before thrashing the Glasgow Warriors 76-14 in the quarter-finals.
The fourth-placed Bulls, meanwhile, had needed a drop goal at the death to beat the Sharks 30-27 at Loftus Versfeld the week before.
Leinster started fast at the RDS Arena in Dublin when a kick into space evaded Bulls winger David Kriel, and hooker Dan Sheehan reacted to open the scoring.
Flyhalf Chris Smith got the visitors on the board with a penalty goal before hooker Johan Grobbelaar powered over. Flank and captain Marcell Coetzee then added a second try to give the Bulls a 17-7 lead.
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Leinster centre Robbie Henshaw’s converted try cut the deficit to just three at the break, but 13 minutes into the second half, a Bulls driving maul resulted in a penalty try to make it 24-14, with Leinster captain and lock James Ryan yellow-carded.
Leinster wing Rory O’Loughlin crossed with 10 minutes remaining but flyhalf Johnny Sexton crucially missed the conversion.
A Leinster mistake near halfway then led to a breakdown penalty and flyhalf Morné Steyn gave the Bulls an eight-point cushion.
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Replacement prop Cian Healy’s converted try in the 82nd minute was scant consolation for the Irish giants, as coach Jake White’s men celebrated a famous 27-26 win.
But it would be heartbreak a week later for the Bulls, who suffered an 18-13 defeat to the Stormers in the Cape Town decider.
Photo: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile/Gallo Images
The post When Bulls brought the fight to Leinster appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
SA Rugby magazine rewinds to the 2021-22 Vodacom URC semi-final between Leinster and the Bulls in Dublin.
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