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.
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Nacewa scores his side's only try. Ashley Crowden / INPHO
Ashley Crowden / INPHO / INPHO
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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Nacewa's second-half try enough as Leinster edge Cardiff
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.
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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