Dan Parks’ late withdrawal didn’t prevent Connacht’s rare victory in the Welsh capital, writes John O’Sullivan…
It’s not often anyone will have the pleasure of writing this, so I will enjoy this…Connacht have won back to back Rabo Direct Pro 12 games, with a marvellous 26-22 victory away to Cardiff Blues.
Such has been the gap since Connacht last won in the Welsh capital, coach Eric Elwood was still playing. On that occasion, in 2001, Elwood kicked two penalties as Connacht won a turgid affair 6-3; however, on this occasion, it was the same mans tactics and his organisation of his players that proved decisive.
Many people have labelled Connacht as too reliant on Dan Parks, but, with the former Blues player being ruled out of action just before kick off, this theory is redundant.
Miah Nikora was summoned to take Parks’ place in the line up and the Kiwi didn’t disappoint, kicking a conversion and several penalties as Connacht mercilessly punished any Blues indiscipline.
Connacht started the game like a team possessed, and, within five minutes, didn’t have one, but two tries. Firstly, the ever improving Danie Poolman picked a great line off Gavin Duffy’s pass and galloped over the line for the games first try. The South African project player is really finding his feet as of late, and his try on Friday night was his fourth in only nine league appearances. Nikora missed the subsequent conversion, but would have a chance to make amends a matter of moments later as Willie Faloon, another player who’s thoroughly impressed in his debut season for Connacht, crossed for a try. Fetu’u Vainikolo’s incisive pass sent the former Ulster open-side crashing through some lackadaisical Cardiff for Connacht’s second try, in a start that amazed even the most ardent Connacht supporters. This time, Nikora made no mistake with his conversion attempt, leaving the score at 12-0 to the visitors.
Cardiff, left ashen faced by Connacht’s start, began to raise their game and where rewarded for their pressure when Rhys Patchell landed a long range penalty, punishing Connacht for infringing at the breakdown. Patchell proved integral for Cardiff’s first try, as his pass found slippery winger Harry Robinson who eluded Connacht’s attempted tackles and dived in at the corner. Patchell was brought back down to earth when his conversion attempt proved inaccurate.
Threatening to build up a head of steam, Connacht broke Cardiff’s momentum with a successful Miah Nikora penalty as the Welsh side strayed offside. The half time whistle blew with Connacht holding a 15-8 lead.
With words of” encouragement” from coach Phil Davies still reverberating around their ears, Cardiff began the second half in the ascendancy and were soon rewarded with another Patchell penalty. Cardiff were awarded the penalty as hooker Jason Harris-Wright impeded the home sides scrum half, Lewis Jones, in an offside position. To add insult to injury, the former Leinster hooker was also sin binned for his troubles.
Connacht, who where, of course, a man in arrears dug deep and frustrated the home side, and drew the period Harris-Wright spent in the bin 3-3 with the home side; with Patchell and Nikora again trading penalties.
In their last game against Welsh opposition, Connacht obliterated the Ospreys scrum, but Cardiff would gain at least parity on this occasion, and, after being awarded a penalty for a powerful scrum, Patchell dragged his attempt wide.
It proved to be a good night for Irish back rows, and Cardiff’s Robin Copeland, formerly of Rotherham and the Leinster academy, collected Liam Davies’ pass and powered over the line to give Cardiff the lead for the first time in the game. . Ive been fortunate enough to play 7’s rugby against Copeland, and, take it from me, the Wexford man is seriously quick.
Copeland’s try bloodied the nose of Connacht, but their reaction to losing their hard earned lead was wonderful. Willie Faloon, not to be outdone by his fellow Irish backrow, scored his second try of the night after picking and going from the back of a Connacht scrum. Many Ulster fans were scratching their heads at their clubs decision to let Faloon leave the province, and, in retrospect, due to the consistently high level of Faloon’s performances, I feel the Ravenhill men will regret their decision.
The games topsy turvy nature continued as Patchell’s fourth penalty cut the deficit to a single point. Despite fielding a young side, Connacht never panicked and their persistence was awarded when Miah Nikora took advantage of yet more Cardiff indiscipline with another successful penalty goal.
Cardiff threw the proverbial kitchen sink at Connacht in the dying embers of the game, but where met with stout Connacht resistance. The final whistle blew to a chorus of the Fields of Athenry from the small pocket of Connacht fans inside Arms Park. Unlike Cardiff, the Connacht fans were given something to sing about from their players.
Two consecutive wins and with the signing of the Chief’s captain, Craig Clarke, in the bag, Connacht fans can afford themselves a wry smile. With bottom of the table Zebre visiting the Sportsground on Friday, three consecutive wins may well be on the card for Connacht. Saying that, Connacht will need to up their performance from the last time they hosted the Italians. On that occasion-in the Heineken Cup- Connacht where thankful to Dan Parks’ boot for salvaging an undeserved victory over Zebre.
With Connacht CEO, Tom Sears, promising more signings to add to those of Muldowney, Carr, Henry and Clarke, and the appointment of Pat Lam, the future looks bright for Connacht. Hopefully one of the other provinces will do us a favour and secure our passage into a third Heineken Cup campaign. No pressure, lads, but if you don’t do it, you’re never allowed in Galway again.
I’m John O’Sullivan, 20. Part time student, full time sports nut. Love rugby and am currently the PRO of Connemara RFC. I also do some radio work for my local station. One day, I would love to be a Sports Journalist/Broadcaster.
