Mixed bag of emotions as Connacht check out of Italy with bonus point

Date Published: {J}

Benetton Treviso 24

Connacht 17

Rob Murphy

CONNACHT players would have been checking in a mixed bag of emotions as they returned from the north east of Italy at the weekend after losing their third consecutive Magners League match.

They could have snatched this but the losing bonus point was probably a fair reflection on Saturday’s full spirited but scrappy encounter at the Stadio di Monigo. Italian Rugby is on a high this season following their inclusion in the Magners League. Aironi are still finding their feat but Treviso have had little problem settling.

They have made their home venue a fortress with four wins from five after Saturday, over 5,000 are turning up for every game and the small Italian city in the Veneto region – just 30 minutes from Venice – is now very much a rugby hot bed in the country.

Connacht’s away form has improved dramatically this season, six points garnered from four games but another six have slipped from their grasp at different junctures. There was that last gasp defeat in Llanelli which cost them three points and on Saturday they had a lineout in the home 22’ with five minutes remaining and trailing by four, but an avoidable turnover put paid to their hopes.

Chances have been missed then, yet the mantra is simple from Head Coach Eric Elwood at the moment – his side are achieving their goal of being competitive in every game (their biggest defeat has been 12 points).

Injuries to Ray Ofisa and Niva Ta’auso will be of some concern from the contest, both had cheek bone injuries with Ofisa going off early but having a better initial prognosis to Ta’auso who could be out for longer according to Dan McFarland after the game. As of Monday, the branch had no further news on either injury.

The loss of Ta’auso would be a blow as he is showing signs of top form again after a dip in efforts earlier this season. His second-half try was brilliantly taking and a real high point in the game for the visitors.

Connacht started with an Adrian Flavin try off a neatly worked move from the Treviso five metre line which involved a tap down off the top by Mike McCarthy and a quick move on the blindside to release Flavin for the score. Keatley converted for a dream start.

Treviso settled soon after and scored the next 16 points. The unerring boot of Tobias Botes did most of the damage while out half Krist Burton crashed over for a try after sustained pressure inspired by a break from the brilliant number 8 Robert Barbieri, one of 11 current Italian squad members in the side.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.