Connacht left their hearts, bodies, and Heineken Cup dreams on the Sportsground pitch on Friday night, but it was a performance and a result that confirms Connacht Rugby can go places.
Unbeaten throughout the Amlin Cup campaign and, until two weeks ago, still in control of a Heineken Cup spot via the Magners League, it is a fair reflection of the current state of Connacht’s professional team.
Friday evening’s Challenge Cup semi-final pitted Connacht against the monied French outfit Toulon who had finished joint top of their championship - described by coach Michael Bradley as a “mis-match” on paper. Connacht may not have been as clinically and physically as strong as their more illustrious opponents, but what was truly inspiring for the 7,000 fans in the Galway Sportsground was the respect Connacht demanded for a performance that is deserving of a bigger European rugby stage. And Bradley, just for one, acknowledged that Connacht could “compete comfortably” in Heineken Cup rugby - when that ambition is finally fulfilled.
It was not through a lack of endeavour or indeed the quality of rugby played that Connacht must wait another season to make the breakthrough.
"We played our hearts out,” said captain John Muldoon. “ We defended most of the first half, but with our backs to the wall, and I suppose that was the winning or losing of the game. If we had come out 12 - 9 at half time, it would have been a different ball game. However we did not convert in the second half, and only got one kick and that's not good enough."
Connacht looked to have weathered the elements in an opening half marked by Connacht’s huge tackle count ( 96 - 37 ) that was needed against Toulon’s bulldozing best as epitomised by No 8 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe. Only three points separated the sides - three penalties from Keatley, and three from Jonny Wilkinson and a drop goal before 10 minutes of added time and a remarkable sequence of play. Toulon, camped five metres from the Connacht line, were awarded some seven scrums. With both sides of the Connacht scrum appearing to suffer under Toulon’s force, conceding some four penalties, eventually scrumhalf Matt Henjak sent centre Mafileo Kefu through for the game’s only try.
It was the winning and losing of the game - a try which coach Michael Bradley believed was avoidable.
"I think we could have thought our way out of that one a little better, but it was a magnificent effort from the forwards to sustain the pressure. But then to cough up a try after a little bit of footwork from Kefu was disappointing."
Somewhat surprisingly Toulon failed to score again as Connacht, helped by a long-range Keatley penalty early in the second half, played with the gusto and enterprise that has typified their season. That they carved out several scoring chances but failed to convert was as much testament to Toulon’s defensive organisation as Connacht’s new-found confidence in attack.
Instead Connacht were once again left to ponder what if Niva Ta’auso had scored a first-half breakaway; or if Sean Cronin had not been bundled into touch a few metres out; or if
replacement outhalf Miah Nikora had repeated his winning drop goal against Bourgoin.
Fullback Gavin Duffy was once again superb under the high ball; John Muldoon, as always led by example, poaching several Toulon line-outs; while evergreen Michael Swift revelled in the exchanges.
Bradley, in his last season in charge of the province after seven years, said it was a great day for Connacht with "everything set up for a famous day", but Toulon’s quality had shone through in the end.
"They were able to sustain the carries we were attempting on the park. Their defence was very good, they were strong in the collisions, and in cup matches we need to learn at this level to take our chances. We had three or four in the second half some five yards from the line and got nothing out of it - that was the game.
"Toulon as a team performed very well - from one to 15. What it says about Connacht is that we have very good team spirit, the lads like playing with each other and give a lot for each other and the jersey, and that's a great position for Connacht rugby going forward.
"The lads have been performing very well over the years at home - not just this weekend or last weekend. If you go into the Connacht dressing room, we knew we had a great chance to win. Money is not everything. It evens the playing field when you have a sense of identity, belief in what Connacht is doing. Money can buy individuals, but not a team.
"The opportunity will come around again. It's part of a process and Connacht are moving forward, getting strong, the belief is strong, the lads are playing for each other and they are all good indicators. It's not going to happen this year but it could happen next year."
Connacht: G Duffy; T Nathan, N Ta’auso, A Wynne, F Carr; I Keatley, F Murphy; B Wilkinson, S Cronin, J Hagan; M Swift, M McCarthy; J Muldoon (capt ), J O’Connor, G Naoupu. Replacements: B Tuohy for Nathan 18 mins; R Morris for Hagan 40 (+7 ); R Loughney for Wilkinson 48; M Nikora for Keatley 52; B Upton for Swift 59; M McComish for McCarthy 68; C O’Loughlin for Murphy 69.
Toulon: L Rooney; G Lovobalavu, M Kefu, T May, C Marienval; J Wilkinson, M Henjak (capt ); S Taumoepeau, P Fitzgerald, T Leaaetoa; J Suta, E Lozada; J van Niekerk, T Sourice, J Fernandez Lobbe.Replacements: S Bruno for Fitzgerald 53; O Missoud for Sourice 53; S Williams for Wilkinson 57; B Basteres for Taumoepeau 58; T Ryan for Leaaetoa 64 mins; K Chesney for Lozada 64; P Mignoni for Henjak 68; E Auelua for Lobbe 79.
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England ).
