Blues Angry After Leinste

By Andrew Collins
January 14 2009

Cardiff Blues fly half Nick Robinson and coach Dai Young both expressed their frustrations at referee Peter Alan following their 21-20 loss at the Royal Dublin Showground, with the former launching a tirade at Allen on the pitch after the final whistle.

Cardiff put in a highly encouraging performance on Saturday, as they nearly registered their first win at the RDS. The pair finished 1^st and 2^nd in the Magner's league last year, and had already drawn 16-16 at the Arms Park this season, so a close encounter was always expected.

But to say ‘close' is perhaps an understatement. The lead changed 3 times in the last 4 minutes, Nick Robinson's drop goal giving the visitors what looked to be the victory, before Allen penalised Gethin Jenkins from the restart. Contepomi held his nerve to slot the winning kick.

The Blues scored the only try of the match, Number 8 Andy Powell crossing after some great forwards play, reminding both Dai Young and Xavier Rush that he's not going to just give up the shirt.

The remaining points come from the boot Leigh Halfpenny, who started Full Back due to the injured Ben Blair. The hugely rated winger slotted four penalties, however he was unable to convert Powell's try.

But while the Blues were made to work hard for their point, some highly questionable penalty decisions were gifting the game to the Irish province, Contepomi slotting 7 shots at goal, gaining all his sides points.

Following the final, Nicky Robinson confronted Allen, but was dragged away by Contepomi, who the Blues must remember to thank as Robinson could have got into a lot of trouble.

However Allen was to receive yet more negative feedback from the Blues as Dai Young claimed the ref was always going to give Leinster a penalty following the restart,

"He made a mistake in Munster when Nicky and Robin were sin-binned which lost us the game. The same referee here tonight made another mistake and lost us the game. When Nicky Robinson dropped that goal, I thought it was game won really. But I think everyone in the stadium knew there was going to be a penalty coming somewhere."

The comments could have landed both player and coach in hot water with the Magner's League Board, but there have been no complaints from the match official. It's thought that Allen won't complain about the incidents, so long as the Blues don't about his standard of refereeing.

But with Cardiff already out of contention for league silverware, there are many positives to take from the performance, and even the result. The Blues pack destroyed the Leinster forwards, with Powell's try coming after a phase of Welsh dominance in that area, while even the backs looked dangerous and competitive against a strong outfit.

It bodes well for Sunday's huge Heineken Cup match against Gloucester at Kingsholm, Cardiff showing a bit of form a week before the match, while Gloucester lost to Premiership strugglers Newcastle. Added to that the impending returns of Xavier Rush and Jamie Roberts to the line up, plus the return of Martyn Williams and potentially Ben Blair also making the match, and the Blues are looking in a healthy state, though Tito will miss the match.

A victory on Sunday would ensure the Blues a home tie in the Quarter Finals, assuming they manage a win against Calvisano, although they would qualify top so long as they avoid a 5-point loss on the weekend, without claiming a bonus point.

Going into the final two rounds and things are looking positive for the Arms Park region, unfortunately following another Magner's League loss, the same can't be said.

Leinster 21
Cardiff Blues 20

Penalties: Halfpenny x 4
Try: Powell (30 Mins)
Drop Goal: N Robinson (79 Mins)

Halfpenny, James J. Robinson, Shanklin, G. Thomas, N. Robinson, Spice; Jenkins, T Thomas, Felise, Jones, Tito, Molitika, Sowden-taylor, Powell.