Olding on song as off-key Zebre are humbled

A KNEE injury for Marcell Coetzee marred Ulster’s ten-try rout of Zebre at Kinsgpan Stadium.

The home side had the bonus-point win wrapped up by the 26th minute when Charles Piutau ran in his first, while the New Zealander and Luke Marshall both score twice in a record win in Belfast.

Coetzee was helped off after 19 minutes after he took a blow to his left knee.

Ulster coach Les Kiss said: “We challenged ourselves at the beginning of this phase and the boys have worked hard to play the game that we like to.”

The home side showed intent from the start as all kickable penalties were turned down, and after Gideon Koegelenberg was sin-binned for a high hit on Stuart Olding, Luke Marshall scored their first.

After 13 minutes Andrea Di Marchi levelled but once Marshall ran in his second, and Pienaar scored behind the posts after 19 minutes, Ulster led 21-7.

Next Piutau’s great step off the left and Stockdale’s line break saw Ulster 35-7 ahead at half-time.

And the tries kept on rolling as Craig Gilroy and Piutau scored.

The only question in the final half-hour was how many points Ulster could accumulate, and a first try for John Andrew sent them through the half century mark after 54 minutes.

But after Guillermo Roan’s reply, it was fitting Olding capped a superb personal display with a great individual effort.