Forgettable stuff as Connacht secure bonus point

Date Published: 13-Oct-2009

THESE games against the semi-pro sides from weaker nations are always painfully dull and this one was no exception. That’s not meant as a slight on either side, it’s not their fault, but as was the case in games against Roma, El Salvador and others before, this clash was instantly forgettable.

It is, as the cliche goes, impossible for the professional side to look good in such contests and we are only falling into the trap by highlighting a feeling that Connacht really should have notched up a lot more points here. They scored eight tries, five in the first half, but thanks to a fruitless third quarter only three after the break.

A landslide win would have been immaterial anyways because of the competition rules. (If two teams end up level on the same points at the top of the pile at the end of this pool the separating criteria is based solely on the head to head meetings between those sides, so overall points difference doesn’t matter.) Connacht’s only target on Friday was a bonus point win and they got the job done.

However, leaving aside the issues of their inability to cut loose as the game wore on, there are a couple of glaring technical issues that have been a problem already this season and will raise their head again in the future if they’re not addressed. The maul was poor on Friday, while the first half goal kicking was horrible.

Connacht’s first half display overall was solid and effective. They were patient in the opening ten minutes and went through the phases professionally without forcing the game. The maul was broken and unconvincing even in that first half, yet it still led to the opening try from Adrian Flavin. Miah Nikora was well wide with a kickable conversion.

Within two minutes, Mike McCarthy had the second try after the Madrid defence missed a first up tackle on the big number eight and allowed him to burst through and build up a head of steam. The plucky but inept visitors really weren’t going to stop him from there. Another straight forward conversion and another miss this time off the post.

In fairness to Nikora, he was looking sharp in backline play at number ten. The next try came from Michael Swift before the bonus point was secured on the half hour mark with 20 year old Connemara star Tiernan O’Halloran scoring on his competitive debut after good work from Nikora and, in particular, Aidan Wynne. Conversion attempt number four, the easiest yet, came off the post.

Niva Ta’Auso crowned his return to first team action with a try just before half time and…