Best try assist: Fijian wing takes on Leyds

Published on

Dillyn Leyds has beaten three successive contenders for SA Rugby magazine’s best try assist, but can the Springbok playmaker top this effort from former Crusaders wing Manasa Mataele?

Three-time defending champion Leyds has seen off Lukhanyo Am, Carlos Spencer and Lionel Cronje to keep his status as king of the try assist. Last week, Leyds was in a tight contest with Cronje, claiming just 68% of the vote against the former Sharks playmaker’s moment of genius in 2017 for the Southern Kings.

Now, Leyds is challenged by a fellow wing who produced a similar flick-pass to set up a try for the Crusaders in 2019.

In a Super Rugby clash with the Hurricanes in February 2019, Mataele delivered the definition of a tightrope act during his side’s convincing 38-22 victory. Having found space down the right wing, Mataele bumped off a tackle from Hurricanes No 8 Gareth Evans, but lost his footing when he was tackled by scrumhalf Finlay Christie. Despite being right up against the touchline, Mataele defied physics to stay in play and blindly flick the ball to flyhalf Richie Mo’unga, who charged through a gap to score a try.

Playing for the Stormers in a Super Rugby match against the Chiefs in 2017, Leyds pulled off a magnificent pass to set fullback SP Marais on his way to the tryline. With the Stormers 27-21 ahead in the second half, Cheslin Kolbe intercepted a pass and toed the ball. Leyds was quickest to gather the ball, but brought down by an ankle tap. However, he still managed to get the pass off to Marais from the ground in a moment of magic.

This poll has ended (since 2 years).

Pick the best try assist!

Dillyn Leyds
84.19%
Manasa Mataele
15.81%

Photo: Getty Images

Post by

Dylan Jack