Cardiff Blues 13
Leinster 14
AN ISA NACEWA try twenty minutes from time was enough to see Leinster return to the top of the Guinness Pro12 with a 14-13 victory over the Blues at Cardiff Arms Park this afternoon.
With conditions playing their part, man-of-the-match Jack Conan created something out of nothing to break down the blindside, his perfectly-timed offload finding Nacewa for the game’s crucial score.
The wind caused both sides problems in the opening half but it was Leinster that went into the break 6-3 up; Ian Madigan leading Gareth Anscombe two penalties to one.
The hosts were level just three minutes into the second half before another Madigan penalty on 49 minutes restored his team’s three-point lead.
After the out-half missed the extras following Nacewa’s try, Leinster were dealt a further blow when they were reduced to 14 men for the last nine minutes after Jordi Murphy was shown the bin for slowing down play.
The Blues failed to capitalise from five metres out but closed to within a point when Josh Navidi went over with two minutes to play, Rhys Patchell making no mistake with the conversion.
However, as Cardiff went for the win, Patchell’s drop kick was charged down by Eoin Reddan to return Leinster to the top of the table for the time-being at least.
Scorers for Leinster
Try: Isa Nacewa
Pen: Ian Madigan (3)
Scorers for Cardiff
Try: Josh Navidi
Con: Rhys Patchell
Pen: Gareth Anscombe (2)
Leinster XV
15. Zane Kirchner
14. Fergus McFadden
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Ben Te’o
11. Isa Nacewa (captain)
10. Ian Madigan
9. Eoin Reddan
1. Cian Healy
2. Sean Cronin
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Mick Kearney
5. Hayden Triggs
6. Rhys Ruddock
7. Jordi Murphy
8. Jack Conan
Replacements:
16. Richardt Strauss for Cronin (44)
18. Mike Ross for Furlong (44)
19. Tom Denton for Kearney (52)
17. Peter Dooley for Healy (67)
20. Dan Leavy
21. Nick McCarthy
22. Noel Reid
23. Adam Byrne
Zebre XV
15. Rhys Patchell
14. Alex Cuthbert
13. Cory Allen
12. Rey Lee-Lo
11. Blaine Scully
10. Gareth Anscombe
9. Lloyd Williams (captain)
1. Thomas Davies
2. Kristian Dacey
3. Salesi Ma’afu
4. Jarrad Hoeata
5. James Down
6. Josh Turnbull
7. Ellis Jenkins
8. Manoa Vosawai
Replacements:
22. Tom James for Allen (46)
16. Matthew Rees for Dacey (49)
17. Bradley Thyer for Davies (49)
18. Taufa’ao Filise for Ma’afu (49)
23. Dan Fish for Anscombe (52)
20. Josh Navidi for Jenkins (63)
21. Tomos Williams for L Williams (69)
19. Macauley Cook for Hoeata (69)
Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon.
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Conway has been consistently excelling in Munster for 2 yrs and more; this call up is long overdue
Andrew Conway is a good guy & he is building quite a career for himself. He deserves every cap he gets. He has worked hard for them.
Would love to see the back 3 click it would be just what we need
@Smiley: it’s just a matter of time with such a dynamic trio and will probably happen this weekend
Always loved Conway but he always seems like he’s missing something to be one of the best. Can’t question his commitment or dedication to being the best he can be, maybe it’s a physical thing? I can’t put my finger on it. Hopefully he turns it on over these chances he’s getting and brings his game to the next level.