Connacht routed in Belfast

Date Published: 02-Dec-2008

ONE has to ask at this stage, is there any point ranting on about poor attitude, non-existent game plans, brittle defence and a lack of fight. There is always that fear that it is the equivalent of someone drawing up a cleaning rota on the Titanic while the lifeboats were being lowered.

It’s becoming harder to care anymore as the tries roll in at these away games. A total of 22 have been conceded in just three league matches this season for a grand total of 158 points and an average of 53 points per game.

Unfortunately for Connacht supporters, there is no sign that anyone at Connacht rugby is under pressure as a result. There are no words of anger or frustration from those at the helm after these defeats and those on high remain happy with the overall progress. At least that appears to be the case and the press conference on Friday, attended solely by Ulster representatives, appeared to confirm this.

Ulster coach Matt Williams has seen good and bad days against Connacht. He was at the helm of Leinster when Steph Nel’s side lowered their colours in 2003 and yet after the game on Friday, when
asked if Connacht were slipping further away than ever, he adamantly disagreed adding that Michael Bradley is doing an ‘incredible’ job out west.

Connacht conceded seven tries in total on Friday night, two dreadful turnovers in the first half were wrapped up in a bow for Stephen Ferris and Timoci Nagusa to score tries. The men in green fought back determinedly before and after the break outscoring their opponents 13-3 with two Ian Keatley penalties either side of a wonderful try from Fionn Carr.

So, with 50 minutes on the clock, Connacht trailed 20-13 and were…