Nocera breaks Lions' hearts

A late try by Zebre Parma midfielder Matteo Nocera broke the Lions hearts as they slumped to their second straight defeat in this year’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship, losing 22-20 in their Round 2 game on Sunday.

Nocera crossed in the 78th minute to get his side level and then replacement Martin Roger Farias put over a conversion as the shot clock was running out to give the Italian side their first ever win over the Lions since the competition’s inception.

The Lions had fought back from 12-3 down to lead going into the last 10 minutes as impressive attacking performances by fullback Quan Horn and midfielder Henco van Wyk brought them back into the game.

But when it mattered their defence creaked and the Italian side pounced, giving the Lions a poor start to the competition this season.

They have arguably lost to two of the sides that are considered to be in the lower half of the table in their first two games, and may be rueing their decision to not follow the other South African franchises and not play their URC players in the Currie Cup.

LOST SETPIECE BATTLE

On the day Zebre may have been behind - with the Lions scoring two tries while their opposition were down to 14 men - but the home side were much better in the setpieces and especially at the breakdown, the latter where they were able to isolate the Lions one-off runners as they attacked away from their support.

For most of the game - bar the 10 minutes that Zebre were down to 14 - the Lions were coming second in almost every facet of the match, and they will need to work hard as they stay in Italy to face Benetton in the final match of their short tour.

There does also seem to be something missing from the Lions’ attack and they won’t always be able to rely on Horn and Van Wyk to start something for them and they can’t always chase the game.

Zebre were first off the mark when a sweeping move started by Simone Gesi moved across the field and 60 metres upfield, with Bautista Stavile Bravin finding himself on the wing and in open space at the end to run in and score.

Chris Smith replied with a penalty a short time later before the Italians scored again - this time shortly after having a try disallowed - as their maul rumbled over the tryline and Tomasso di Bartolomeo ended up with his name on the scoresheet.

CHASING THE GAME

At 12-3 up the Lions headed into the second half knowing they needed something to go their way and they got it when Samuele Locatelli was yellow carded for repeated infringements.

That gave them the impetus to launch attack after attack, fand while Morne Brandon’s first foray over the line was disallowed because he propelled himself forward, the Lions struck shortly afterwards as SJ Kotze finished off a long range attack started by Horn from way back in the field.

Another deep attack saw Eduan Keyter finish off with a jink inside to score in the corner, and gave the Lions the lead.

Farias retook the lead for Zebre with a penalty but then Brandon got his try as the Lions finished off a good attack and sustained pressure to go into the last five minutes ahead.

It wasn’t to be though, as Zebre got their late try and the win, leaving the Lions to lick their wounds and hope to get something out of their tour in the final week.

SCORERS

Zebre Parma - tries: Bautista Stavile Bravin, Tommaso di Bartilomeo, Matteo Nocera. Conversion: Giancomo da Rea, Martin Roger Farias. Penalty: Farias

Lions - tries: SJ Kotze, Eduan Keyter, Morne Brandon. Conversion: Lubabalo Dobela. Penalty: Chris Smith.