By Sea_point
November 11 2010

Connacht welcomed Samoa back to the Sportsground as the tourists warmed up for their test math with Ireland on Saturday at the Aviva. www.Knockon.ie's Rob Murphy reports on the action as a young Connacht side came up trumps against the visitors....

Connacht edged a narrow home win over Samoa on Tuesday night and the game will have done Eric Elwood and his young squad the world of good.

It was a welcome distraction from intense Magners Legaue battles and a chance to look at some of his emerging talent in action.

Caption: Nikora beates the tackle last night. Pic Sporting Occasions Connacht v Samoa Gallery.

The come from behind victory that ensued on an entertaining  night at the Sportsground will be a huge fillip for the coach and his team.

Connacht upped the ante last night, live on national television, highlighting the potential on the fringe of their current starting xv and the hard work being done at academy level in the province. Eoin Griffin took the man of the match award, Eoin McKeon, Aidan Wynne, Shane Conneely and Dermot Murphy were all involved and to the fore.

This was a night when Connacht got to show their value and Elwood got to sample some of his fringe players in full flight. As a result the supporters were treated to a contest that sparked at different intervals and kept them enthralled right to the end.

Brian Touhy’s first half try will be top of the highlight reel, John Muldoon coming on to score a second half try would also make the cut as would some big hits from McKeon, Taylor, McComish not to mention that through the legs pass from a nerveless Griffin midway through the second half.

Samoa played their part. They led by eight before half time, scored three tries and never looked out of the contest, yet they were clearly a step behind in terms of drive and intensity. Considering this was a Connacht side without 13 front line players, that is some statement.

The Connacht academy is working, local talent is flourishing at the moment, McKeon was excellent yesterday and is already looking a strong contender for a Six Nations starting spot with the Irish under 20s. The young Galwegian made his debut last year away to Scarlets and despite being a lamb in a proverbial slaughter that night, he showed his worth.

Now he is flourishing along with the likes of Shane Conneely who came on for McComish late on and was awash with focused energy. Aidan Wynne is well established now anyways yet once again his defence and timing of passes (not least during the move for the try) caught the eye.

Corinthians flyer Eoin Griffin was the star of the day, RTE’s man of the match put in a sparkling eighty minutes. Defensively strong and a constant threat going forward be it sniping at gaps or trundling for extra yards in the tight. The injured Niva Ta’auso’s jersey is up for grabs and he has put his hand up for it.

Connacht were 17-9 down just before half time Misioka Timoteo’s early try had exposed a gap in the Connacht defence and a second such whole appeared for Felemiga Selesele to score from the base of a ruck just before half time, Nikora’s boot had kept Connacht in touch but the gap was eight.

The response was superb, a half break from Cillian Willis after Connacht regained the restart was the catalyst, the attack out wide included brilliant hands from Wynne and Griffin (pic) who both drew their men before releasing. Troy Nathan was on hand and first drifted wide before executing a sweet inside pass to try scorer Touhy who had changed his angle well.

Nikora’s conversion made it 17-16 at the break and his early second half penalty put the home side in front only for Brando Vaaulu to respond with a great try for Samoa that started around half way. It gave them a slender lead but John Muldoon had entered the fray and Connacht were now well on top up front.

Muldoon’s try came after some of good Connacht pressure on the line and he crashed over from a simple pass from the base by replacement Conor O’Loughlin. The scrum half was another to shine on the night.

With a tough three game test of Ospreys at home, Edinburgh away and Aironi at home to come and a real need for two wins from those three to keep in with the pack, Elwood will have been lifted by this and not just because his young academy stars were too the fore.

Touhy and Shane Monahan on the wings both made a case for further inclusion, Nikora ran the show well at ten, Troy Nathan was a constant threat at 15 and up front, the front row held firm, Andrew Browne was to the fore at lock, while Ezra Taylor should now be back to full fitness. A good night all round then and the 2,236 crowd went home pleased.

Connacht: T Nathan; S Monahan, E Griffin, A Wynne, B Touhy; M Nikora, C Willis; R Loughney, A Flavin, capt, B Fa’amausili, A Browne, B Upton, E McKeon, M McComish, E Taylor.

Replacement: D Rogers for Fa’amausili 52 mins; J Muldoon for McKeon 53 mins. D Fanning for Monahan 58 mins; C O’Loughlin for Willis 59 mins; D Murphy for Flavin 65 mins; S Conneely for McComish 70 mins; R Sweeney for Loughney 73 mins;

Samoa: M Pesamino; F Otto, U Setu, J Helleur, S Sinoti; L Lui, capt, J Poleluligaga; S Lemalu, T Paulo, L Mulipola, C Slade, D Leo, M Timoteo, F Selesele, R Muagututia.

Replacements: B Vaaulu for Setu h/t; U Mai for Plequligaga 55 mins; N Leleimalefaga for Paulo 65 mins; J Tekori for Timoteo 66 mins, G Williams for Pasamino 71 mins.

Referee: J Lacy (IRFU).

Connacht 26 - 22 Samoa - Young Guns Shine

Discussion started by Connacht Rugby Supporters (IP Logged), 11/11/2010 00:28

Connacht Rugby Supporters
11/11/2010 00:28

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lgwt@castlebar
11/11/2010 18:24

Anyone spot a u-tube or some other coverage of Griffin's between the legs pass?

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tohellorto
13/11/2010 11:21

yeah the pass in on youtube video

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