Heineken Cup: Wandile weaves Mjekevu magic

2 Responses to Heineken Cup: Wandile weaves Mjekevu magic

Scorers

Wandile Mjekevu

Pool Six Table after Two Rounds

Perpignan (3) 31

Edinburgh (7) 14

Published 20 October 2013 | By Bullscot

Perpignan’s strong second-half showing overwhelmed Heineken Cup opponents Edinburgh at Stade Aimé Giral. Tim Visser’s converted try helped the visitors into a deserved 7-3 lead at the interval. But they were undone by two tries early in the second half as Joffrey Michel and Wandile Mjekevu crossed.

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Justin Purll and Mjekevu added further scores to secure a winning bonus point for the hosts before Cornell du Preez’s late consolation try.

And, with Gloucester losing at Munster on Saturday, all four teams in Pool 6 have one win after two rounds of fixtures.

Greig Laidlaw missed an early kick and Perpignan moved into the lead when James Hook’s penalty from the left was ruled to have gone over before travelling off to the right of the far post.

The television match official was called upon again after Edinburgh centre Joaquin Dominguez attempted to touch down.

The Argentine’s foot appeared to have been in touch when he went over and the visitors’ score remained unchanged.

However, Alan Solomons’ side were frustrating their hosts and their patient approach paid off when Jack Cuthbert, Nick de Luca and Dominguez combined to release Visser for the opening try. Laidlaw converted.

The introduction of Mjekevu in place of Richard Haughton at the start of the second half gave Perpignan the fresh impetus they were looking for and the winger started the sweeping move that ended with Michel going over.

And Mjekevu touched down himself moments later as the French side took control. Hook added to his earlier conversion.

Edinburgh continued to come under pressure and Purll plunged over before Watisoni Votu’s craft set up another try for Mjekevu, Hook adding the extras on both occasions.

With Solomons’ men trailing by 24 points, the prospect of a losing bonus point always seemed unlikely.

But the visitors showed spirit in the closing stages and were rewarded when du Preez forced his way across the line and set up a straightforward conversion for Laidlaw.

Perpignan: Michel, Votu, Marty, Piukala, Haughton, Hook, Duvenage, Taumalolo, Guirado, Jgenti, Vahaamahina, R. Taofifenua, Purll, Perez, Narraway.

Replacements: Mjekevu for Haughton (17), Allan for Hook (65), Durand for Duvenage (55), S. Taofifenua for Taumalolo (54), Terrain for Guirado (17), Pulu for Jgenti (52), Charteris for R. Taofifenua (59), Chateau for Purll (65).

Edinburgh: Cuthbert, Fife, De Luca, Dominquez, T. Visser, Leonard, Laidlaw, Dickinson, Ford, Nel, Gilchrist, Cox, Leonardi, Grant, Du Preez.

Replacements: Tonks for Cuthbert (59), Atkins for Leonard (77), Blaauw for Dickinson (55), Cross for Nel (65), van der Westhuizen for Cox (59). Not Used: Lutui, Hidalgo-Clyne, Jones.

Attendance: 10,073

Referee: Marius Mitrea (Italy)

Tries: Michel, Mjekevu 2, Purll
Cons: Hook 4
Pen: Hook

Tries: Visser, du Preez
Cons: Laidlaw 2

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DOB	7th Jan 1991
Birthplace	South Africa
Height	1.91 m (6′ 3″)
Weight	94 kg (14 st 11 lb)
Position	Wing

Gloucester

1

Bullscot on 20 October 2013 at 11:01 pm

Well done Perpignan. Pity for Edinburgh to lose this one, but all four teams in the group have won one and lost one, looks like a close group. Was hoping that Edinburgh could win or at least come away from this one with bonus points.
2

Bullscot on 20 October 2013 at 11:12 pm

So is Wandile Mjekevu a player that could be called up for the Boks end of year tour, sounds like he is playing well and looking at his stats seems to be quite a bulky player? With JP out and Habana in need of rest may be a good option. But probably won’t get a look in as don’t think he has been around the Bok squad, it seems as if Mr Meyer prefers continuity and would rather have players who have been around the squad and used to the set up. I think this tour presents an ideal opportunity to spread the net wider and have a look at players who have not been used this year for the Boks and this gives some of the locally based stalwarts a bit of rest. Although with the next World Cup it may be good for core group to get further exposure to playing in the UK.