There were some strong performances despite the defeat. Here’s how every player rated
Cardiff’s Ioan Lloyd takes a shot at goal(Image: Ashley Vlotman/Huw Evans Agency)
Cardiff’s season is over after they fell to a 44-21 defeat against the Stormers in the quarter-finals of the United Rugby Championship.
Tries from André-Hugo Venter, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Leolin Zas, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Paul de Villiers and JJ Kotze, along with 14 points from the boots of Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Jurie Matthee got the hosts over the line.
Cardiff scored three tries of their own courtesy of Cam Winnett, Taine Basham and James Botham with Ioan Lloyd contributing six points from the kicking tee.
Here are the player ratings.
15. Cam Winnett 5
He scored Cardiff’s opening try but missed some important tackles.
Stormers wing Leolin Zas ran straight through Winnett for the third Stormers try.
14. Jacob Beetham 6
The 25-year-old did well in defence and raced clear to put Cam Winnett over for the opening Cardiff try.
Beetham was solid in defence and under the high ball.
13. Ben Thomas 6
The Wales playmaker’s distribution was very good at times but he was on the back foot for large periods of the game.
Thomas also made some key interventions in defence.
12. Rory Jennings 6
Jennings fronted up defensively making some important tackles and was solid with ball in hand.
11. Josh Adams 6
The experienced Wales wing competed well under the high ball and made some good defensive reads but he had little opportunity to show his worth in attack.
10. Ioan Lloyd 7
The 25-year-old showed glimpses of his attacking threat with one sensational 50-metre break in the first-half.
He looked extremely dangerous with the ball in hand and made one tremendous try-saving tackle, holding a Stormers player up over the line.
But one cross-kick in the second-half was misjudged which directly led to a Stormers try. The positives outweigh the negatives though.
9. Johan Mulder 6
The South African number nine didn’t have the greatest platform to contend with.
He was solid enough but some of his box kicking was a bit long at times. But there was a lot of good defensive work from the scrum-half.
8. Taine Basham 7
The former Dragons backrower carried well throughout and showcased his dynamism by smashing his way over the line for a try early in the second-half.
If he carries on where he left off next season he has to be in the Wales reckoning.
7. Dan Thomas 7 – Star man
Cardiff’s best player once again. Thomas was everywhere getting through a mountain of work in defence.
The 32-year-old was into everything at the breakdown and won a crucial penalty at the stroke of half-time.
6. James Botham 7
The Wales international’s work rate helped keep Cardiff in the game.
Botham put in some huge hits in defence and worked hard at the breakdown. He did well to sneak over the line for Cardiff’s third try.
5. Rory Thornton 5
The 35-year-old put himself about and was effective at the lineout but found it tough going against a physical Stormers pack.
4. Josh McNally 7
The England international has been a huge asset for the Welsh club since joining from Bath.
McNally put in a big defensive shift and did extremely well at the maul. The 35-year-old also carried well throughout.
3. Keiron Assiratti 3
This was a tough day at the office for the Wales tighthead who got given a torrid time at the scrum.
Got sent to the sin bin after coughing up his fourth penalty in succession with the scrum clearly Cardiff’s Achilles heel.
2. Liam Belcher 6
He was as industrious as always getting through a lot of work, including six tackles.
Cardiff’s lineout functioned well with Belcher at hooker but he was also part of a front-row who were on roller skates in the scrum for most of the game.
1. Rhys Barratt 5
The Wales squad member found it tough going at the scrum and was constantly under pressure in this area.
Barratt worked hard in defence but only made one carry.
Replacements
16. Dafydd Hughes 5
Solid at the set-piece.
17. Danny Southworth 6
Southworth helped solidify the scrum and carried well.
18. Javan Sebastian 4
Didn’t get much luck at the scrum and got sent to the sin bin which put an end to any hopes of a Cardiff comeback.
19. George Nott 5
The former England U20s lock was solid enough and did well at the lineout.
20. Alun Lawrence 5
Lawrence grafted hard but the game was already lost.
21. Evan Lloyd 6
Lloyd is a dynamic player who usually makes an impact. Carried well and competed well at the breakdown.
22. Ellis Bevan 5
Solid but always on the backfoot.
23. Tom Bowen 5
Did well in defence but had little chance to show his attacking prowess.