As Leinster & Munster fought their European battles, Connacht were fighting their way to a creditable draw, writes Jon O’Sullivan…
We were long enough waiting for it, so there was a hope that the Connacht-Treviso game would be worth the wait-and, with a late try securing Connacht a 23-23 all draw, it certainly was, at least in the eyes of the neutral observer. The premier Italian side in this seasons competition, the away trip to Treviso is never easy, thus Connacht can be pleased with the character they showed in securing a highly credible draw.
For much of the season, Paul O’Donoghue has watched on as young Kieran Marmion has tightened his Vulcan like grip on Connacht’s number nine jersey-not deterred, though, O’Donoghue has been an experienced option off the bench for Connacht all season and this was the case again on Friday evening.
Quite like the Westerners last fixture against Ulster, Connacht started the game well and, after sixteen minutes, had a try through Fetu’u Vainikolo. The Tongan has an innate ability to tear defences to shreds with his elusive running and superb ambition. Sometimes, Vainikolo is too ambitious in his approach, often taking the ‘Hollywood’ option as opposed to the conservative option, but, on this occasion, like so many others this season, it paid dividends. Off the tail of a Connacht line out, the ball fell to Kieran Marmion who exquisitely supplied Vainikolo with a deft disguise pass. Vainikolo collected the ball and showed his rugby sevens like broken field running in leaving the trailing Treviso defence for dead. The near nonchalant way in which Marmion executed the defence splitting pass is indicative of a player bursting at the seams with confidence. Surely, with the injury to Eoin Reddan and Conor Murray likely to be with the Lions, the Welsh born scrum half must tour with Ireland on this coming summers tour of North America. Dan Parks, as he invariably does, slotted the resultant conversion.
Parks had ample chance to stretch Connacht’s lead, but he skewed two of his three penalty attempts, leaving the score 10-3 to the visitors at half time-the Italians got on the score board via an Alberto Di Bernardo penalty.
In the battle of the place kickers, Di Bernardo was beginning to gain the ascendancy over Parks in the second half, slotting a penalty-and, after Parks was charged down by Italian International Alessandro Zanni- and adding a conversion. After his attempted relieving kick was charged down, the former Scotland international dove on the ball, but Treviso arrived en masse turning the ball over and supplying quick ball to Eduardo Gori who had the simplest of finishes.
Parks’ soon made amends and levelled the game at 13 all, converting a penalty after Treviso infringed. Once again, Parks and Di Bernardo compared kicking notes by each slotting a penalty, once again deadlocking the game at 16-16.
When people think about Italian rugby, one facet of their game stands out: their scrum. And it was from a scrum that Zebre secured the lead eight minutes from time. Connacht were coming under extreme scrutiny in the scrum, and it came as no surprise that the hooped wearing Italians were awarded a penalty try. Referees in this season’s competition seem far more inclined to award penalty tries than in previous seasons. Di Bernardo continued his unblemished kicking record by caressing the conversion through the posts for a 23-17 lead to the Italians.
Connacht, to their credit, never gave in and right at the death of the game were rewarded for their determined attitude. Connacht peppered the Treviso line, phase after phase brought the Irishmen closer to the holy grail of the try line; and, after his dummy was bought by the Treviso defence, O’Donoghue scuttled over the line from close distance. His first ever league try was converted by Parks, ending the game 23-23.
Considering Treviso’s form, five consecutive wins in all competitions, Connacht returning from Italy with a draw is far from a bad result.
It would be wrong to assume Connacht’s interest in the weekends rugby ended on Friday evening, as every set of Connacht associated eyes were watching the proceedings from Dublin and Montpellier respectively. My worst fears were confirmed in Montpellier; despite a gallant effort, Munster succumbed to defeat to an excellent Clermont side. After the emotional and physical toll of the Quins game, I felt it would be difficult for Munster to replicate such a performance again and, unfortunately, I was proved right. The fight and drive shown by Munster was absolutely fantastic, it would rekindle anyone’s love for the game of rugby. So, once again, it looks like Connacht’s hope of Heineken Cup rugby rest firmly on the shoulders of their eastern neighbours, Leinster.
In a performance matching the glorious RDS sunshine, Leinster ran riot, crushing Biarritz 44-16. With many of the players looking to impress the on looking Lions entourage, Leinster were near flawless in their performance. After losing to Connacht in December, Biarritz will be delighted to see the back of Ireland. After signing Mike McCarthy, Leinster received bad press in the Western quart of the country for what some fans felt was their poaching of Connacht players, but should Leinster, as expected, beat Stade Francais on home turf in the Amlin final on May 17th, all will be forgiven.
Finally, newly confirmed Irish coach Joe Schmidt was fond of plundering Connacht during his tenure as Leinster coach, signing Fionn Carr, Jamie Hagan and Mike McCarthy, hopefully his affinity towards Connacht players continues in his role as Irish head coach. There are several young Connacht players who should on merit at least be involved in Irish training squads, and hopefully Schmidt recognizes this.
I’m John O’Sullivan, 20. Part time student, full time sports nut. Love rugby and am currently the PRO of Connemara RFC as well as admin for the Rugby Banter Facebook page. I also do some radio work for my local station. One day, I would love to be a Sports Journalist/Broadcaster.
