For a third time in the URC this season Connacht lost to a last minute score. Edinburgh, Leinster and now Benetton have broken western hearts in the dying seconds of the game. On Saturday Connacht had a much improved performance than the match vs Lions (not hard most would say) but it wasn’t enough to hold out the Benetton fight back.
Connacht’s 22 exit plan was clear to see early on, with Cathal Forde kicking long but in play which allowed Benetton to counter attack and build momentum. With the attacking threats of the Benetton back three allowing them space and time to pick lines and find a defender, while not working hard enough is inviting trouble on to yourself. Within those early kicks it never felt the Connacht defence were connected enough to stop Benetton early.
On top of that the Connacht scrum early on was an issue. Too much movement and McDonald not getting the ball in quick enough, meant they were turning over possession when they should have been exiting. Penalties on their own ball after that gave Benetton a few scrum launches in the Connacht 22 without needing to work hard for the territory or possession. Which led to the 1st try of the game for Benetton
For me Connacht were poor defensively from the scrum. They weren’t numbered up properly to counter the stack of Garbisi, Umaga, and Smith at the back of the scrum. Once the ball is popped out to Garbisi, Carty and Forde have to sit down inside covering Garbisi’s run and Menencello’s hard line. Once the ball goes the out the back ball to Umaga (even if Forde drifted well) it left Andrew Smith having to decide whether to bite in and help the tackle on Umaga or cover off the options of Rhyno Smith coming around or Mende who has held out on the touchline. Umaga held his pass until Andrew drifted in and picked out Mendy with a great pass who went over in the corner.
That was a disappointing try to concede as Benetton had set up exactly the same way at the previous scrum and Connacht hadn’t adapted to what they were likely to do. Numbers wise Connacht had set up like earlier but Benetton didn’t pick the run of Menencello this time. It was this option earlier that kept both Jack and Cathal close to the scrum and the timing of the pass was so good it didn’t give Forde the time to adjust out. Connachts system let them down here relying on players making the right read with no cover sweeping across especially close to the tryline.
Connacht almost responded perfectly, Jack put in a great kick pinning Benetton close to their try line. Then the usual pressure in the air at lineout time forced a knock on. From the scrum Shamus Hurley Langton went over for a try, after a few phases of good carries. Only to be called back for a knock on by Forde in the 1st and most important carry.
But it was a game that had handling errors galore, both Connacht and Benetton not able to keep hold of possession at times. The game felt scrappy because of it and players seemed to snatch at the ball, force passes and make poor decisions.
The Connacht attack can be frustrating to watch, almost everything goes through 10. Jack on Saturday (or JJ when playing) got the ball and just picked a carrier and looped around. Too often the next carrier is getting the ball static or getting the ball before any defenders have had to make a decision. It was too easy at times for Benetton to be able to drift out and have more numbers in defence. On Saturday Jack didn’t commit enough defenders needed to create those one on ones for Forde or Hawkshaw to get their carrying game going.
Because the few times Connacht could pass the ball with momentum, before or during the tackle they created those situations for backs to force decisions from the defence.
Another week, another set of 22 entries that left me annoyed. The decision making isn’t effective enough. Too often Connacht don’t stretch or compress the defence enough. On Saturday this came from firstly being too slow to get into shape, and secondly and full credit to the Benetton defence here for their ability to slow down the ball. Where in contrast to that, Niall Murrays try comes from 3 good rucks.
By the time the ball was at McDonalds feet in front of the posts, the 2 carries and clearouts beforehand had done the damage to Benetton’s defence. He can pick it up and draw in the pillar defender and Niall Murray on a great line was there to score the much needed try
It was frustrating watching back and being 10-7 down at half time. Connacht had played more of the attacking rugby but too much of it came to nothing. And I could say the same for the second half as well. Not all of that was down to Connachts own play; Brex and Menencello were making some brilliant reads in defence. Benetton’s double tackling and holding Connacht players up for that extra second allowing them to get into their defensive shape easily. And making the ball at the back of most rucks as messy as possible. Their attack was definitely more fluid and put huge amounts of pressure on Connacht. Which either led to a brainless penalty or 3, or a hero turnover from Shamus Hurley Langton or Cian Prendergast. Those 2 seem to have the licence to make the decision when to go for the ball while everyone else fans out ready for the next tackle.
The composition of the backline created issues, After Jennings came on for Forde Hawkshaw every now and again set up too deep as if he was still at 13, instead of being pushed up closer as he should have been as a 12 . Then with Bolton on the pitch earlier than expected due to injury the flexibility of the backs subs was diminished and they felt really out of sorts with each other. They forced the issue at times with kicks that were on, passes that were too deep or to no one, or running into contact without support.
Not that the support was there most of the time. Connacht run out of players too easily, or if someone does anything unexpected the support just isn’t there. At one point Niall Murray made from the Connacht 22 and offloaded the ball to Hurley-Langton. Who put in a great run to almost half way but there was but no one there when tackle was made to secure the ball. Penalty Benetton the outcome. If Connacht were more aware of each other or had the clarity of thought to stay patient good things do happen.
As an example of that Connacht went ahead with 7 minutes to go. A lineout in the Benetton 22, patience amongst the forwards, they worked around the corner keeping the carries going same direction keeping the Benetton defence in check until Prendergast could find the gap by the post
Then panic ensued from the restart Benetton were able to make their way to the Connacht 22 far too easily. A missed drop goal gave me hope Connacht were going to hold out and steal a win but it wasn’t to be. From the 22 drop Connacht were rattled, their defence erratic and disjointed, a string of missed and half tackles giving Benetton front foot ball to attack from. Leading to a final ruck where organisation and decision making was all over the shop. People drifting, some sitting down on their heels and some pushing. Fekitoa passed out to Izekor and he finished from the 22, a finish that was far too easy.
Easy to be despondent after an end like that but there are positives to take from it. When the attack clicks it does end up in a line break or a score. Up until minute 73 Connachts phase play defence held up well, with the scramble and how they attacked the breakdown saving them on more than one occasion. Shamus Hurley-Langton really showed up with 21 tackles made and completed, 6 defenders beaten, and 2 turnovers. Prendergast made a nuisance of himself at every ruck he was near alongside his try. The defensive lineout put pressure on Benetton’s ball. While in the backs Smith was lively, always looking for a gap, and his kick chase was very good, always competing or scragging a Benetton player. Forde carried a lot of ball before he came off injured and mostly got the team moving forward. On the flip side of that the start front row will be disappointed with the scrum freekicks and penalties. Jack with his first start since Lyon made errors he’ll be annoyed about. The backline together made too many unforced errors, especially some crucial dropped balls.
A losing bonus point away to a strong Benetton team is nothing to be sniffed at. But this really feels like 3 points lost than one gained. With the fight for top really hotting up how costly will that be?.. Only time will tell.
Padraig Kelly
The 2nd Row
THE 2ND ROW 