ConnachtÕs sweat pays off in Italy

Benetton Treviso 9Connacht 11

Rob Murphy

THE Fast Show weather girl would describe it as "scorchio", others might suggest a giant open air oven would be the appropriate analogy. Connacht were put through the mill at the Stadio Monigo on Saturday afternoon and came out the other end with a win that was defiantly brilliant.

That the game was stop-start and sluggish, especially in the first half, should be of little concern as the soaring temperatures of 32 degrees played their part in this most unusual of Pro 12 games. Connacht refused to wilt in the early stage, gradually gained a foothold and then struck for the key scores either side of half time.

The victory didn't flatter the visitors, they were the more creative and threatening throughout, but a Treviso side shy of 12 World Cup bound internationals had the field position to get the winning scores on a number of occasions, and could have won this.

Their failure to convert was due in large part to a well constructed and diligently executed defensive plan, led by the 80 minute men of Mike McCarthy and Michael Swift. Just how those two were able to summon the energy to storm through Treviso’s five metre line-out in the final ten minutes and force an invaluable turnover is beyond explanation. They should have been out on their feet. They weren't.

So in the end, Rodney Ah You's brilliantly taken 37th minute try was the difference. A sharp attacking move off some good forward play in the middle of the field which saw Henry Fa'afili beat two tackles with some incisive footwork and releaseD Matthew Jarvis. The 21 year old former Osprey out-half made 15 metres with some incredible leg drive, setting up the ruck which paved the way for 22-year-old Kiwi to charge over.

If you were to watch just two 30 second clips from the game and hope to grasp the overall narrative, then the aforementioned late defensive stand and that first-half try would cover all the essentials. They were the defining moments of a story that will warm Connacht hearts and for the moment at least, ease some of the nerves ahead of a daunting and yet eagerly anticipated campaign.

If this much-changed and youthful Connacht crop are to match last season's endeavours and push on in terms of results, then starting well is essential. An away win, (precious and all as they are) is only the opening salvo in a six game stretch where the groundwork will need to be laid. A salvo worth savouring all the same though.

Treviso won eight of 11 here last season while Connacht had won just once on the road in three years in this competition, so even without their Italian World Cup players, the home side were fancied to prevail. Yet from an early stage, it was clear that the sides were evenly matched overall with Connacht gaining a slight edge in set piece play. 

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.