Aki cruises in to cap remarkable comeback

BUNDEE Aki’s try 13 minutes from time saw Connacht get their Champions Cup campaign off to a winning start at a buoyant Sportsground.

French giants Toulouse were well on top at the break as they led by ten points, but they couldn’t add to that after the restart as Tiernan O’Halloran and Aki tries gave the home side victory.

Craig Ronaldson added the touchline conversion of Aki’s try to clinch the win, but the there was no doubt who the hero for the home side was.

“I can’t explain how I feel at the moment,” said Aki. “It’s a European debut for me and I can’t complain at all. We just stuck to our guns and trusted our system and it came out on our side. It could have gone either way.”

Between the sixth and 12th minutes Connacht conceded three penalties at the scrum, and all three were converted by Toulouse.

But despite that early lead it was clear that Connacht were bothering the French side whenever the game went through the phases.

The first score for Connacht came from a Toulouse lineout deep in home territory after 20 minutes. Ultan Dillane robbed the Toulouse throw and after a sweeping attack Adeolokun managed to cross in the corner.

Jack Carty soon made it 9-8 from the tee, and moments later he gave Connacht the lead with a penalty from under the posts – but the closing ten minutes of the half saw Toulouse take control again.

Yann David crossed in the corner after some excellent build-up work from Toulouse six minutes from the break, and three minutes later they bagged a second when Yoann Huget’s good work allowed Jean Marc Doussain to score for a 21-11 half-time lead.

Both Carty and Bezy missed easy kicks early in the second-half, but Connacht had a powerful drive in the last quarter and O’Halloran stretched to score after Carty’s long pass in the 58th minute.

Carty was off the mark from the touchline conversion as Connacht trailed 21-16, but they pulled level 13 minutes from time.

Aki got the final touchdown, but it was patient, energy-sapping play from the home side that finally forced the gaps to appear.

Ronaldson kicked the winning conversion, and Toulouse replacement Toby Flood could only praise the home side.

He said: “They showed again that teams leak when they play against them because they hold the ball. Their continuity is outstanding.”