Rugby: Benetton-Zebre 39-17. Rhyno Smith undisputed protagonist

Benetton dominates the Italian derby, beating the Zebre 39-17 with Rhyno Smith the undisputed protagonist. Three goals scored by the green-and-white extreme, awarded MVP at the end of the match, two of which in the second half to definitively channel the match in favor of Treviso. Although the ranking is now outlined for both franchises, a derby is never a match like any other, especially if there are blue-tinted implications involved. The FIR delegation in Monigo was present in full force, with CT Crowley observing the many athletes in the odor of convocation for the summer test matches with ItalRugby. In this sense, the duel between Garbisi and Fusco in directing is very interesting. But in addition to the national discourse, Benetton-Zebre is always an opportunity to affirm its superiority on Italian soil.

first half

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In less than a minute Treviso marks the first goal of the match, thanks to a scheme between Garbisi and Brex that frees Smith over the line of the Zebras for the 5-0, transformed by the same South African extreme. The guests struggle to get into the game, risking to capitulate after five turns of the hand, but Ruzza loses the ball forward on the goal line thanks to the intervention of an opponent. The script does not change, because on 15 ‘Benetton still finds the endzone, this time on the development of a touche. Ruzza collects by starting an advancing maul: Albornoz plays towards the inside, taking Padovani over the defense for the 14-0. On the flip in front, the Zebras join the match with a similar action, halving the disadvantage with Trulla’s goal. The inertia changes, and on Canna’s marking valid for the potential draw, the TMO saves Treviso, revoking the five points at the Italian opening for a forward right on the goal line. The Zebras take courage and territory, getting even closer thanks to a shot by Canna in the 34th minute. The first fraction ends at 14-10, thanks to a hasty wrong drop right from the host opening.

second half

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The second half opens exactly like the first half, with Smith reopening the dance, helped by a pinch of good luck: Albornoz frees his own half, Rhyno follows the ball and the rebound rewards him, sending both Trulla and Laloifi empty. A side entry by Fischetti in the ruck allows the 15 from Treviso to further widen the advantage, before a yellow against Bellini for voluntary forward risks changing the course of the challenge. However, the Zebras are struggling to react and take advantage of the numerical superiority, and to hit is again the extreme of Benetton, picking up the Brex pass and discarding two opponents to crush the 31-10. The guests bring out their pride, taking advantage of the static situations to gain territory and finding the second goal of the day with Trulla, still on the development of a lineout. From 60 ‘to 70’ the Zebras are still trying to reopen the game, punctually rejected by an orderly green-and-white defense, albeit with a few too many fouls. After Smith’s umpteenth kick to score, Monigo’s party is completed by the former Bellini, putting the exclamation point on the match with a try in the 78th minute.