Tel Aviv Heat reached the final of the European Super Cup. In Budapest, in cold and wet weather, Kevin Musicant’s men dominated the game against the Romanian Wolves outfit, securing a decisive 31-6 victory that sends them to a final against the Black Lions of Georgia on December 22 in Tbilisi. The Black Lions defeated the Iberians from Spain 41-0 in the second semi-final. Tel Aviv will attempt to win the title in a place where they failed against the same opponent last season.
The Heat’s main obstacles were early in the match, and actually prior to it. Heavy snowfall and rains during the week in Budapest left a surface that seemed unplayable by Friday. However, the Hungarian Rugby Union, which excellently organized the first professional game on Hungarian soil, arranged for firefighters, who in eight hours of intensive work, cleared the water and made the game possible.
View the match: https://shorturl.at/rIT27
The opening 25 minutes were a trench war leaving the Wolves with 6-3 lead, before the Heat took the initiative. In the 27th minute the Israeli outfit passed on an easy 3 point penalty kicked for the corner. The gamble paid off: a perfect execution of the maul and a try by South African hooker McMillan Muller, who was outstanding and aggressive throughout the game. Fly-half Jordan Chait converted for a 10-6 lead and Tel Aviv ceased the momentum. The Romanians had little to offer agains Fijian number 8 Semi Kunatani. His numerous effective carries created the foundation for the second try by center James Verity-Amm in the 36th minute.
Seven minutes into the second half, the Romanians once again had no answer to the Tel Aviv driving maul. This time Kunatani himself ending with the try. The Wolves spirited resistance was limited to preventing a rout, and failed to create meaningful openings. Giant prop Mihleli Dlamini, operating off the bench, completed the try scoring in the 66th minute, as Chait remained flawless with his conversions for the final score.
A committee comprised of former Hungarian and Romanian players chose Kuntani as Man of the Match. The Olympic 7s champion received the award in a joint Danube cruise for both teams in the early evening. “He is the best player ever to play on our country’s soil,'” said a former Hungarian international among the guests.
