NOW IT’S THE ITALIAN SOB FOR CHAMPS
CONNACHT left Italy red faced as Zebre powered past Pat Lam’s side to claim a first win over the Pro12 champions.
Second-half tries from Tommaso Boni and Edoardo Padovani gave Zebre the victory, which was sweet revenge for the Italians after the initial game between the sides was abandoned due to a storm with Zebre well ahead at half-time.
Again Zebre were on top at the interval yesterday, but they finished out the win despite having two men sin-binned late on.
But Connacht will be disappointed with their return after they struggled to convert their chances following a bright start, where Stacey Ili scored a try inside the first minute.
That lead was trimmed thanks to a penalty from the superb Italian out-half Carlo Canna but replacement Craig Ronaldson soon ran in his side’s second try.
After Andrew Browne was held up after he had crossed the try-line Zebre hit back and Derick Minne scored a try off the back of a rolling maul.
Canna then kicked Zebre into a 13-12 lead, but Connacht’s decision to turn down a kickable penalty before the break was made to look foolish when Boni scored in the corner for an 18-12 lead.
A yellow card for Minnie 15 minutes from time gave Connacht hope, but it was the Italians that took a huge step towards the win when they robbed an attacking Connacht maul and Padovani scored the breakaway try for a ten-point lead.
Rowland’s late try, converted by Ronaldson was too little, too late.