Zebre 22-17 Ospreys – Player Ratings as Simone Gesi stars for Italian side
12/02/2024 06:01 AM
By Etienne Turpin
Zebre got off to a flying start in Parma when Italy international Simone Gesi dived in after just seven minutes thanks to quick hands from the backs. Da Re nailed the sideline conversion to give Zebre the perfect start. The Opsreys hit back after a lengthy spell of pressure inside the Zebre 22 when Kieran Hardy's long pass when straight to Dan Kasende's arms. Williams levelled the scores with the sideline conversion.
Gesi then scored a wonderful second try, brilliantly gathering Prisciantelli’s kick from the sideline and finishing with exceptional composure in the corner. Da Re's conversion went just wide after Kasende's chase pressurised the fly half. The Ospreys looked to hit back before the break and Zebre were camped in their 22 but the Ospreys were not clinical enough to get over the try line so with a penalty on the stroke of half time, Toby Booth's men took the three points.
Zebre started the second half like they started the first one and got the first try when Trulla finished in the corner to extend the Italian side's lead, and De Ra nailed another side line conversion to give Zebre a nine-point lead. Zebre, who were looking for their second win of the season grew their lead to 12-points through a Da Re penalty in front of the posts.
The Ospreys scored late one to offer them a chance at stealing the win from Zebre late on. Owen Williams slotted the straightforward conversion to put the Welsh region within five points but firm defending from the Italian side prevented a late come back and Zebre knew the win would be there's when they won a late penalty. An important victory for the Italians before their European campaign kicks off against Connacht. The Ospreys will host the Lions from Johannesburg.
Zebre: 22
TRIES: 3 (Gesi 7', 26', Trulla 44')
CONVERSIONS: 2 (Da Re 8', 45')
PENALTIES: 1 (Da Re 58')
DROP GOALS: 0
YELLOW CARDS:
RED CARDS: 0
15. Geronimo Prisciantelli, 14. Jacopo Trulla, 13. Giulio Bertaccini, 12. Enrico Lucchin, 11. Simone Gesi, 10. Giacomo Da Re, 9. Alessandro Fusco, 1. Luca Rizzoli, 2. Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, 3. Ion Neculai, 4. Andrea Zambonin, 5. Leonard Krumov, 6. Rusiate Nasove, 7. Bautista Stavile, 8. Giacomo Ferrari.
16. Luca Bigi, 17. Muhamed Hasa, 18. Matteo Nocera, 19. Matteo Canali, 20. Giovanni Licata, 21. Gonzalo Garcia, 22. Giovanni Montemauri, 23. Luca Morisi
Ospreys: 17
TRIES: 2 (Kasende 19', Lloyd 73')
CONVERSIONS: 2 (Williams 20', 74')
PENALTIES: 1 (Williams 40')
DROP GOALS: 0
YELLOW CARDS:
RED CARDS: 0
15. Jack Walsh,14. Dan Kasende, 13. Owen Watkin, 12. Keiran Williams, 11. Keelan Giles, 10. Owen Williams, 9. Kieran hardy, 1. Garyn Phillips, 2. Sam Parry, 3. Tom Botha, 4. James Fender, 5. Will Greatbanks, 6. Harri Deaves, 7. Justin Tipuric, 8. Morgan Morris.
16. Lewis Lloyd, 17. Steffan Thomas, 18. Ben Warren, 19. Lewis Jones, 20. Tristan Davies, 21. Luke Davies, 22. Iestyn Hopkins, 23. Max Nagy.#
Zebre Player Ratings
15. Geronimo Prisciantelli: 7/10
The Argentine fullback had a solid game at the back and played a big role in setting up Zebre's second try with a clever kick that set up perfectly for Gesi.
14. Jacopo Trulla: 7.5/10
The Italy international was in the thick of it this evening getting a try and an assist. An important try early in the second half which gave Zebre a big lead.
13. Giulio Bertaccini: 6/10
12. Enrico Lucchin: 7/10
Made 89 metres, the most of any player and had a solid game all round, also having the most offloads with 3.
11. Simone Gesi: 8.5/10
Scored two tries, the second being a sensational finish in the corner. The youngster kicked well his speed was too much to handle.
10. Giacomo Da Re: 7/10
A solid game from the fly half, Da Re nailed two side line conversions. One missed kick was his only fault in today's game. a wonderful pass set up Trulla's try.
9. Alessandro Fusco: 6/10
A solid game from the scrumhalf, kicked well from the rucks and controlled the pack. Nothing extraordinary but did the essentials for his side.
8. Giacomo Ferrari: 6/10
The number 8 made some big carries for his side.
7. Bautista Stavile: 6.5/10
A strong display from the back rower who made some big hits during the 80 minutes. His initial break from half way set Zebre up for their second try of the game. Gave away a needless penalty however for a push in the face.
6. Rusiate Nasove: 6.0/10
The debutant made some big hits and put in a strong shift until he was replaced in the 50th minute.
5. Leonard Krumov: 6/10
Made his tackles and had a good game overall, replaced after 63 minutes.
4. Andrea Zambonin: 7/10
Another trustworthy performance from the 24 year old second rower who played the full game for Zebre.
3. Ion Neculai: 4/10
An early night for Neculai who was forced off after half an hour.
2. Tommaso Di Bartolomeo: 8.5/10
The hooker played almost 70 minutes, finishing his performance with 12 tackles to his name. an excellent display.
1. Luca Rizzoli: 6.5/10
Another good performance from a prop as Rizzoli had a 100% tackle succession rate.
Ospreys player ratings
15. Jack Walsh: 5/10
A quiet game from the usually elusive fullback. Wasn't able to create much magic.
14. Dan Kasende: 6.5/10
One of the best players for the Osprey, Kasende ran hard during the whole game. Scored the opening try for the Ospreys too.
13. Owen Watkin: 4/10
Didn't have the impact he usually has on the game. Just returned from international action so will be back stronger soon.
12. Keiran Williams: 6/10
The hard running centre made three clean breaks and had nine carries in what was one of the more positive displays from the game for the Ospreys.
11. Keelan Giles: 6/10
Made the most running metres out of any Osprey today but unfortunately, lacked the opportunities to make anything of the ball. Not the 100th cap he would have been hoping for.
10. Owen Williams: 5/10
100% success rate from the tee but did not offer much in attack. A mis-hit cross field kick could have put his side under pressure had Gesi controlled his kick a bit better.
9. Kieran Hardy: 4.5/10
A second start for the club for the Birthday boy since joining this summer. However, a quiet game from the scrum half who had a couple of poor box kicks.
8. Morgan Morris: 5/10
A disappointingly quiet game from the captain who struggled to make an impact. Was in fine form before the international break but failed have an influence on the game.
7. Justin Tipuric: 5.5/10
An unusually quiet game in attack but 12 from 12 tackles completed
6. Harri Deaves: 6.5/10
Probably the best player for the Ospreys tonight. Carried hard and hit hard in defence. A knock on deep in Zebre's half halted an Ospreys attack but beat 5 defenders, the most out of anyone on the pitch.
5. Will Greatbanks: 5/10
Nothing much to say, played 50 minutes before being replaced by Lewis Jones.
4. James Fender: 5/10
Played the full match on his first game of the season
3. Tom Botha: 5/10
Did his job, scrummed well and made his tackles. Nothing spectacular.
2. Sam Parry 5/10
Played almost 70 minutes just like his opposite number but failed to have the same impact.
1. Garyn Phillips 5/10
Just like Tom Botha, Phillips did what was required of him. Replaced by Steffan Thomas after 49 minutes.
Talking Points
Speaking to URC TV following the game, Toby Booth spoke about his disappointment in today's result and that the Ospreys were outplayed at the breakdown. The Ospreys coach believed that his side had the opportunities to win the game but were capable of finishing their attacking chances.
“They were more clinical than us" Morgan Morris knew that Zebre would be a physical match for the Ospreys and believes that the Ospreys changing their game plan cost them the game.
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