RaboP12 (Round 3): Treviso (18) vs Leinster (19) k/o - 19:05 Sat, 15 September 2012 (Stadio di Monigo)

The game is only on the TG4 website btw. The minor hurling final replay is on the telly

Leinster team news
Andrew Conway sustained a cut over his right eye which required stitches, but the former Blackrock College winger is expected to be available. Leo Auva'a was replaced after receiving a knock on the knee but took part in training this afternoon[monday afternoon].
Saturday’s game marked first home competitive outings for four players; Jordan Coghlan, Ben Marshall, Luke McGrath and Quinn Roux. Devin Toner, a second half replacement, meanwhile, is on the verge of becoming the province’s 20th centurion after featuring as a replacement for Roux. The Moynalvey man has featured in all three victorious Heineken Cup campaigns after making his debut in the 2005/06 campaign.

The management are hopeful of re-introducing a number of Ireland internationals from the summer tour to New Zealand, with temperatures set to hit the mid to high twenties in north east Italy at the weekend. A decision on who is likely to be in contention will be confirmed at Friday’s midday team announcement.

LEINSTER:
15: Ian Madigan
14: Andrew Conway
13: Brian O'Driscoll
12: Fergus McFadden
11: Fionn Carr
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Eoin Reddan

1: Heinke van der Merwe
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Mike Ross
4: Damian Browne
5: Devin Toner
6: Kevin McLaughlin
7: Shane Jennings
8: Jamie Heaslip CAPTAIN

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Sean Cronin
17: Cian Healy
18: Jamie Hagan
19: Leo Cullen
20: Jordi Murphy
21: John Cooney
22: Noel Reid
23: Isa Nacewa

REFEREE: Ian Davies (WRU), ASSISTANT REFEREES: Carlo Damasco, Stefano Traversi (both FIR), TMO: Stefano Marrama (FIR)

Treviso
15 Luke McLean
14 Edoardo Gori
13 Tommaso Benvenuti
12 Alberto Sgarbi
11 Ludovico Nitoglia
10 Alberto Di Bernardo
9 Tobias Botes
8 Robert Barbieri
7 Alessandro Zanni
6 Simone Favaro
5 Corniel Van Zyl (capitano)
4 Francesco Minto
3 Ignacio Fernandez-Rouyet
2 Leonardo Ghiraldini
1 Alberto De Marchi

16 Franco Sbaraglini
17 Michele Rizzo
18 Lorenzo Cittadini
19 Valerio Bernabò
20 Dean Budd
21 Marco Filippucci
22 Fabio Semenzato
23 Kristopher Burton

Post match report (Leinster slant)
Sexton rescued a hard-fought win from the jaws of defeat as his 79th minute drop goal proved decisive at the Stadio di Monigo.
Making his seasonal debut, the Ireland out-half brilliantly held his nerve to kick Leinster to their second successive league victory after they had been stung by a late Fabio Semenzato try.

That try had been converted by Kris Burton, moving the Italians into an 18-16 lead, before Leinster reclaimed possession from the restart and set up Sexton for his match-winning heroics.

It was a topsy-turvy clash played in stiflingly warm temperatures, and Joe Schmidt's men had to combat a fired-up Treviso pack as the hosts looked to bounce back from losing away to Munster last weekend.

The Italians had more of the ball in the early exchanges, Alberto Sgarbi putting in a good break and Alberto di Bernardo opening the scoring with a 12th minute penalty.

They continued to press from the restart, their beefy pack making good yardage under the direction of scrum half Tobie Botes.

Kevin McLaughlin was picked out for a deliberate offside as Treviso got within striking distance, with the yellow card for the flanker leaving Leinster shorthanded.

The subsequent penalty was missed by di Bernardo, but Treviso maintained their presence in the Leinster half and from a quick tap and go Robert Barbieri snuck in for a try which needed confirmation from television match official Stefano Marrama.

The conversion was missed and Leinster hit back following McLaughlin's return to the pitch. Simone Favaro infringed at a ruck just outside the Treviso 10-metre line and Sexton fired the penalty through the posts for 8-3.

That is how it remained for half-time as Leinster clawed back some territory after defending a close-in lineout, set up by a clever Botes kick.

A double tackle by McLaughlin and Sexton forced Ludovico Nitoglia to cough up possession as he attacked near the Leinster posts, and Andrew Conway's kick found touch.

A Sexton penalty set up a decent chance to attack, in the dying seconds, but despite a well-orchestrated lineout maul - with Shane Jennings in possession - Leinster were unable to conjure up a late try.

The Heineken Cup champions made a superb start to the second half though, a flash of brilliance from Brian O'Driscoll seeing him split the Treviso midfield and go over unopposed. Sexton converted from in front of the posts for a 10-8 turnaround.

Sexton was off target with a long range penalty attempt approaching the hour mark, but the Leinster forwards were beginning to make their mark - led by stand-in captain Jamie Heaslip.

A lineout steal in the hosts' 22 by Devin Toner, making his 100th appearance for the province, led to a sustained period of pressure from Schmidt's charges.

McLaughlin barged his way up on a muscular run and a simple penalty saw Sexton extend the lead to five points, with Treviso struggling to keep their discipline at times.

The stretcher was required for Richardt Strauss who took a heavy knock and the Leinster medics were quickly on the scene. Sean Cronin replaced him - the South African was thankfully sitting up on the bench soon after - and Toner also made way for Leo Cullen.

Treviso knuckled down and earned a penalty which replacement Burton stuck over to make it a two-point game with 15 minutes remaining.

Leinster renewed their efforts as they went in search of a match-winning score, yet handling errors undid some nice approach work by the likes of Fergus McFadden and replacement Isa Nacewa.

Schmidt's side were suddenly on the brink of defeat when Treviso replacement Fabio Semenzato got free from close range to wrestle his way over for a 77th minute try. The TMO confirmed the grounding and Burton's conversion saw the hosts retake the lead.

They looked set for victory, only for Leinster to have the final say in the form of Sexton's terrific drop goal from John Cooney's pinpoint pass. The win has moved Leinster up to sixth in the table, ahead of Edinburgh's visit to the RDS next Saturday.

BENETTON TREVISO SCORERS: R. Barbieri (1 try). F. Semenzato (1 try). A. di Bernardo (1 penalty), K. Burton (1 penalty and 1 conversion)

LEINSTER SCORERS: B. O'Driscoll (1 try), J. Sexton (3 penalties, 1 conversion and 1 drop goal)

BENETTON TREVISO: L McLean; E Gori, T Benvenuti, A Sgarbi, L Nitoglia; A di Bernardo, T Botes; A de Marchi, L Ghiraldini, I Fernandez-Rouyet, F Minto, C van Zyl CAPTAIN, S Favaro, A Zanni, R Barbieri.

REPLACEMENTS: F Sbaraglini, M Rizzo, L Cittadini, V Bernabò, D Budd, M Filippucci, F Semenzato, K Burton.

LEINSTER:

15: Ian Madigan (Isa Nacewa, 50)
14: Andrew Conway
13: Brian O'Driscoll
12: Fergus McFadden
11: Fionn Carr
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Eoin Reddan (John Cooney, 67)

1: Heinke van der Merwe (Cian Healy, 57)
2: Richardt Strauss (Sean Cronin, 65)
3: Mike Ross (Jamie Hagan, 75)
4: Damian Browne (Leo Cullen, 65)
5: Devin Toner
6: Kevin McLaughlin
7: Shane Jennings
8: Jamie Heaslip CAPTAIN

REPLACEMENTS NOT USED: Jordi Murphy, Noel Reid.

REFEREE: Ian Davies (WRU), ASSISTANT REFEREES: Carlo Damasco, Stefano Traversi (both FIR), TMO: Stefano Marrama (FIR).

Portnoy wrote:Maybe BT Vision have a facility to exploit resolve your issues with TG4.

asoreleftshoulder wrote:Two fantastic kicks from Sexton to win that game,an inch perfect restart and a monster drop goal.Madigan isn't going to get the 10 jersey without one hell of a fight.

SecretFly wrote:

Portnoy wrote:Maybe BT Vision have a facility to exploit resolve your issues with TG4.

Not very likely Portnoy. BT are much too busy at the moment to have time for taking over TG4. They are currently in negotiations with the Taliban for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan.

Gibson wrote:Pete,
2nd half only and in silence.
http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/home.php

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Wow that is a big Drop Goal. Fair play to the lad

Gibson wrote:

asoreleftshoulder wrote:Two fantastic kicks from Sexton to win that game,an inch perfect restart and a monster drop goal.Madigan isn't going to get the 10 jersey without one hell of a fight.

I have been saying this ad-infinitum. The boy Madigan has a long way to go before he realistically challenges for the 10 spot. To my mind, Sexton is getting better by the season. Madigan is superb backup though and I would have no hesitation playing him at 10, 12 or 15.

DOD wrote:

Gibson wrote:

asoreleftshoulder wrote:Two fantastic kicks from Sexton to win that game,an inch perfect restart and a monster drop goal.Madigan isn't going to get the 10 jersey without one hell of a fight.

I have been saying this ad-infinitum. The boy Madigan has a long way to go before he realistically challenges for the 10 spot. To my mind, Sexton is getting better by the season. Madigan is superb backup though and I would have no hesitation playing him at 10, 12 or 15.

The sooner the plank is retired and Madigan starts the better for Ireland. In any other country Madigans raw talent would be recognised ( O'Connor in Aus) . The Plank is at best a stop gap...

DOD wrote:har har...thats some stop gap! You know its true Sexton is not the way forward. Madigan who is a carbon copy of our best ever outhalf ( Paul Dean) is the real deal..

Gibson wrote:Gowan Decco ya boy ya! It was gettin boring round here.
Madigan for the British Lions!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlk9Sj4Ns2k

DOD wrote:Not a hope in hell...even if Sexton discovers how to attack and get his backline moving will Gats ever go for him over Priestland or Farrell.

Portnoy wrote:But then you are comparing an RWC year with a non-one. Does that stat imply a paucity rather than a profundity of talent?

A pretty-much top squad scraping home against last season's tenth side is not exactly awe-inspiring. Sometimes the capacity for the Irish to spin makes even me feel dizzy.

GoodinTightSpaces wrote:

Portnoy wrote:But then you are comparing an RWC year with a non-one. Does that stat imply a paucity rather than a profundity of talent?

A pretty-much top squad scraping home against last season's tenth side is not exactly awe-inspiring. Sometimes the capacity for the Irish to spin makes even me feel dizzy.

Rubbish,

Two weeks ago leinster cheated (even though they lossed)

now you criticise a bad performance. maybe Rabo should hire you to audit everything Leinster do because you seem to have an unhealthy up session for them, at least this way you could make some money out of it.

Portnoy wrote:

GoodinTightSpaces wrote:

Portnoy wrote:But then you are comparing an RWC year with a non-one. Does that stat imply a paucity rather than a profundity of talent?

A pretty-much top squad scraping home against last season's tenth side is not exactly awe-inspiring. Sometimes the capacity for the Irish to spin makes even me feel dizzy.

Rubbish,

Two weeks ago leinster cheated (even though they lossed)

now you criticise a bad performance. maybe Rabo should hire you to audit everything Leinster do because you seem to have an unhealthy up session for them, at least this way you could make some money out of it.

..




I thought that this board was supposed to be conducted in English.

However, undaunted, I'll try to answer that rapier riposte, GTS. I never criticised a bad performance - just bandwagon's faux (but hearty) spoof stat to spin Leinster's start as in some way a good start.

Portnoy wrote:

GoodinTightSpaces wrote:

Portnoy wrote:But then you are comparing an RWC year with a non-one. Does that stat imply a paucity rather than a profundity of talent?

A pretty-much top squad scraping home against last season's tenth side is not exactly awe-inspiring. Sometimes the capacity for the Irish to spin makes even me feel dizzy.

Rubbish,

Two weeks ago leinster cheated (even though they lossed)

now you criticise a bad performance. maybe Rabo should hire you to audit everything Leinster do because you seem to have an unhealthy up session for them, at least this way you could make some money out of it.

I thought that this board was supposed to be conducted in English.

However, undaunted, I'll try to answer that rapier riposte, GTS. I never criticised a bad performance - just bandwagon's faux (but hearty) spoof stat to spin Leinster's start as in some way a good start.

thebandwagonsociety wrote:

Portnoy wrote:

GoodinTightSpaces wrote:

Portnoy wrote:But then you are comparing an RWC year with a non-one. Does that stat imply a paucity rather than a profundity of talent?

A pretty-much top squad scraping home against last season's tenth side is not exactly awe-inspiring. Sometimes the capacity for the Irish to spin makes even me feel dizzy.

Rubbish,

Two weeks ago leinster cheated (even though they lossed)

now you criticise a bad performance. maybe Rabo should hire you to audit everything Leinster do because you seem to have an unhealthy up session for them, at least this way you could make some money out of it.

I thought that this board was supposed to be conducted in English.

However, undaunted, I'll try to answer that rapier riposte, GTS. I never criticised a bad performance - just bandwagon's faux (but hearty) spoof stat to spin Leinster's start as in some way a good start.

Portnoy, I made reference to a demonstrable improvement in Leinster's start to this season. From my (more than a couple of) years following Leinster, we are notoriously slow starters to each season of rugby and I have often commented that the best time to play Leinster is in the first 3-4 games of any season. Last season was the first season for Schmidt taking control; we lost a home fixture to Glasgow (open to correction) and lost on the road to Ospreys heavily in a poor showing at the start of that season.

Also Portnoy, I think your comment on how Leinster only scraped a win away to Treviso, who finished 10th last year in the Rabo, shows how competitive the league is. Even without relegation as a threat to Treviso towards the end of the table, it still managed to be a nip and tuck affair coming down to a clutch kick by Sexton to wrestle victory from the jaws of defeat. Go back a year, and in September of last season, Quins went to Worcester to earn a 17-15 away win as the top team in Jeff last season fought against the side that would finish tenth overall. These were strangely similar results at similar times of the year by teams from similar parts of the table? Maybe there isn't much between leagues after all (given the usual 'my dad is better than your dad' esque banter).


Another time when Leinster are very vulnerable to defeat is straight after a Leinster HCup victory, even though this later opportunity will unfortunately come to an end soon as English and French clubs strategise to end pan-European rugby competitions in favour of a closed shop Anglo-French love in, effectively removing their chance of having to explain their losses to multiple European champions like Munster and Leinster through attempting to remove that encounter from the competition itself.

GoodinTightSpaces wrote:

Portnoy wrote:

GoodinTightSpaces wrote:

Portnoy wrote:But then you are comparing an RWC year with a non-one. Does that stat imply a paucity rather than a profundity of talent?

A pretty-much top squad scraping home against last season's tenth side is not exactly awe-inspiring. Sometimes the capacity for the Irish to spin makes even me feel dizzy.

Rubbish,

Two weeks ago leinster cheated (even though they lossed)

now you criticise a bad performance. maybe Rabo should hire you to audit everything Leinster do because you seem to have an unhealthy up session for them, at least this way you could make some money out of it.

..




I thought that this board was supposed to be conducted in English.

However, undaunted, I'll try to answer that rapier riposte, GTS. I never criticised a bad performance - just bandwagon's faux (but hearty) spoof stat to spin Leinster's start as in some way a good start.

conducted in english. Ha Ha very good. very good indeed. i bet you feel nice and intelligent now.

would you not think the text highlighted in bold above constitutes critisism.

Regards looking at your post i calculate that 69.6417% of all your posts seem to be criticism of other teams. of those 69.6417% posts 34.41% seem to be criticism of leinster.

Tell me what is the obsession

Portnoy wrote:

GoodinTightSpaces wrote:

Portnoy wrote:

GoodinTightSpaces wrote:

Portnoy wrote:But then you are comparing an RWC year with a non-one. Does that stat imply a paucity rather than a profundity of talent?

A pretty-much top squad scraping home against last season's tenth side is not exactly awe-inspiring. Sometimes the capacity for the Irish to spin makes even me feel dizzy.

Rubbish,

Two weeks ago leinster cheated (even though they lossed)

now you criticise a bad performance. maybe Rabo should hire you to audit everything Leinster do because you seem to have an unhealthy up session for them, at least this way you could make some money out of it.

..




I thought that this board was supposed to be conducted in English.

However, undaunted, I'll try to answer that rapier riposte, GTS. I never criticised a bad performance - just bandwagon's faux (but hearty) spoof stat to spin Leinster's start as in some way a good start.

conducted in english. Ha Ha very good. very good indeed. i bet you feel nice and intelligent now.

would you not think the text highlighted in bold above constitutes critisism.

Regards looking at your post i calculate that 69.6417% of all your posts seem to be criticism of other teams. of those 69.6417% posts 34.41% seem to be criticism of leinster.

Tell me what is the obsession

So you think that ~¼ of my posts are about/anti Leinster. I would concede that was approaching some mild compulsive obsessive disorder if the numbers stacked up.

But I'd doubt that anything like 5% my total posts even alluded to Leinster. Or that 15% alluded to Ireland.

However could I have built a reputation about being anti-Scottish, Welsh, Saracens, PRL, RFU, Andy Farrell, Squeaky, wage-caps, etc.? The numbers don't stack up.

Leinster in full bloom are a fine and entertaining side. Just mostly the they are confined to the HEC arena to the detriment of what I see should be IRFU's ultimate responsibility - Ireland.

DOD wrote:What's the bet ASLS? Sexton to start the first Lions test ?

Short summer hols Gibson. Cork not quite yet back to regaining control of the beautiful game over those mullickers in Cill Ceannaigh. Just putting some diverse ideas than all the l'boys and bowler hat brigade.

Always remember our most successful coaches have been two Corkmen and a mucksavage from Ciarrai.

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

DOD wrote:What's the bet ASLS? Sexton to start the first Lions test ?

Short summer hols Gibson. Cork not quite yet back to regaining control of the beautiful game over those mullickers in Cill Ceannaigh. Just putting some diverse ideas than all the l'boys and bowler hat brigade.

Always remember our most successful coaches have been two Corkmen and a mucksavage from Ciarrai.

Yeah Sexton to start the 1st Test but the bet is void if he's injured or suspended.

Loser writes an article of 150 words praising a player to be chosen by the winner.

That sound okay?

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

Gibson wrote:Gowan Decco ya boy ya! It was gettin boring round here.
Madigan for the British Lions!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlk9Sj4Ns2k

the british lions...i keep hearing about this team but i dont have a clue who they are.