Leinster 30 - 5 Treviso
Saturday 26 February 2011
Leinster overcame a spirited effort from Treviso to record a 30-5 win at the RDS.
Like all club games at this time of year both sides were without their contingent of internationals. Leinster continued to avail of this opportunity by fielding a talented but inexperienced side.
Centre Eoin O'Malley has benefited hugely from this policy and his form makes him a viable competitor for the 12 jersey.
First Half
Treviso started brightly with fullback Joe Maddock exposing an overeager Leinster defence by gliding through a gap. Winger Benjamin De Jager gathered his offload but a great cover tackle by David Kearney snuffed out the chance.
Like a lot of Italian sides Treviso played a physical forward orientated game but Maddock was a constant threat in the backline and they were unlucky not to profit off his good work early on.
Leinster opened the scoring after Eoin O'Malley won a penalty at the ruck and they doubled there lead minutes later when Devin Toner put in a huge hit and forced the turnover. Isa Nacewa kicked both, which was refreshing after his recent inaccuracies with the boot. Leinster 6 -0 Treviso
Treviso were very sloppy around the ruck and referee Neil Hennessy, taking charge of his first Magners League game, was quick to penalise them. Hennessy was very fussy at ruck time and his whistle happy style hampered the game's flow early on. Nacewa extended Leinster's lead from one of the needless penalties that Treviso conceded.
Leinster 9 -0 Treviso
The first try of the match went Leinster's way and was created by outhalf Ian McKinley. After clean lineout ball off the top he ran right through his opposite number Wilhelm De Waal. David Kearney tracked the run cleverly and was the recipient of an easy run in for the try. Leinster 16-0 Treviso
In a welcome change from the usual response from visiting Italian sides, Treviso continued to play rugby. Maddock's running with the ball in hand meant Leinster had to play a conservative defence in the wider channels. Unfortunately for Treviso the ball often ended up in the hands of winger De Jaeger who seemed incapable of finishing any chance given to him.
Treviso's pressure paid off on halftime when flanker Gonzalo Padro squeezed over in the corner. De Waal continued his unimpressive outing by missing the conversion. Leinster 16 “ 5 Treviso
Second Half
The quality dropped at the second half as both side rang the changes. The Treviso scrum improved which highlights the ridiculous situation where they have a number of competent scrummaging props but almost no outside backs that pose a threat to a defence. Leinster's frontrow will be disappointed with their scrummaging as Treviso won a number of penalties, on the side of loosehead Heinke Van Der Merwe.
Rhys Ruddock's introduction meant a backrow of Kevin McLaughlin, Dominic Ryan and Ruddock, three players who have big futures with the side. Their ball carrying was the focal point of Leinster's game plan and Ryan broke the first tackle more often than not.
Unfortunately for Leinster prop Stan Wright, he left the field with what looked like a recurrence of the injury that has sidelined him so far this season. His replacement, Clint Newland, is not up to the standard required of a top-level prop so the sooner Wright returns the better it is for Leinster.
Leinster added a second try just after half following excellent continuity in the backline starting with the captain Nacewa. Receiving the ball after a powerful burst by Ryan, Nacewa fed Kearney who was tackled short. Kearney showed great awareness to offload to the oncoming McKinley who finished the move. Leinster 23 - 5 Treviso
In the quest for the four-try bonus point Leinster's handling became sloppy and they came away empty handed after a number of visits deep in oppostion territory. Maddock was replaced for Treviso and with it there attacking threat was gone. Andre Marcato came on at outhalf but displayed the form that got him dropped from the Italian squad.
Ian Madigan replaced McKinley and his flat gainline pass was met with an excellent running line by Eoin O'Malley that split the Treviso defence. Unfortunately he couldn't link with Kearney and the chance was lost.
Leinster did finish the game with a try. Treviso were unable to clear their lines and a miss pass by Madigan found Replacement winger Niall Morris out wide. He showed great skill to flick the ball on to an unmarked Andrew Conway who ended the game with an easy score. Leinster 30 “ 5 Treviso
Man of the match - Although it was a losing effort Joe Maddock was really impressive. His display surprised me because I had watched him a number of times for Bath and he had never stood out to me. The move to Italy must have reenergized him and he was a constant danger to the Leinster defence. His sidestep and acceleration made holes in the Leinster defence, which is usually very resolute.
Full Time
Leinster:
Tries - Kearney, McKinley, and Conway
Conversions - Nacewa (3)
Penalties - Nacewa (3)
Treviso:
Tries: Padro
Thoughts: This is the third game this Leinster side have played together along with the recent games against Aironi and Cardiff. They have improved with each game and some of the combinations, in particular in the halfbacks, will have pleased Joe Schmidt. Ruddock and Ryan are playing great rugby and when the internationals return it will be interesting to see what direction Schmidt takes the backrow. The Leinster frontrow's scrummaging is still too inconsistent and they will hope that Stan Wright's injury is a minor one.
