Wannenburg on the rampage against Aironi. (Picture from BBC Sport)
Following last weekends’ gruelling win over Biarritz, Ulster only needed a win over Italian side Aironi this afternoon to qualify for the knock-out stages for the first time in 12 years. With the pressure on their shoulders, Ulster managed to turn the game around in the second half to defeat Aironi 6 – 43 and book their place in the Final 8 as one of two best placed runners-up.
Ulster looked nervous from the moment they took to the field and after failing to gather the ball from kick off, it looked like their nerves could be their undoing. However the team soon made amends for the early error and placed the Italians under intense pressure.
After failing to roll away after a tackle, Ulster were given the chance to put the first points on the board as Ian Humphreys opted for the posts. Aironi 0 Ulster 3.
Aironi had a chance to level the scores moments later when Stephen Ferris was penalised for the same offence. However the home side chose the lineout, failing to make any ground with the decision.
Fifteen minutes into the game and an infringement from Declan Fitzpatrick provided Aironi with another penalty. Again, the Italians opted for a lineout just outside of Ulster’s 22, and the decision went in their favour until a forward pass handed possession back to the Ulstermen.
As the second quarter began, fullback Adam D’Arcy managed to cut inside the Italians’ defence, before offloading to Trimble on his right shoulder. The Ireland winger successfully dodged a couple of tries before touching down under the posts. Humphreys added the conversion, bringing the score to Aironi 0 Ulster 10.
A lapse in concentration from the visitors on 26 minutes, allowed Aironi to make their way out of their own half and deep into Ulster’s half. Aironi fly-half James Marshall then fell back for a drop goal attempt, which was on target, lessening the points’ difference. Aironi 3 Ulster 10.
Ulster were awarded another penalty a few minutes later but Humphreys kick wasn’t on target, leaving the score unchanged.
Ill-discipline from Ulster in the following minutes led to Aironi taking control of the game and on 36 minutes referee Christophe Berdos awarded the home side a penalty. Tito Tebaldi, who replaced the injured scrum-half Michael Wilson, landed his first kick of the game, to take the score to Aironi 6 Ulster 10.
As the final minutes of the first half played out, neither team could add to their scores and Ulster headed into the changing rooms with a narrow, but precious lead.
A lineout to Ulster at the beginning of the second half gave the team a great start as Dan Tuohy powered his way up the field with the pack close in support. Mere metres from Aironi’s try line and Pedrie Wannenburg broke from the maul to touch down. Humphreys converted the try, widening the points’ gap again. Aironi 6 Ulster 17.
Five minutes later and it was déjà vu as Ulster drove towards the oppositions’ try line before Wannenburg scored his second try of the game, leaving his side to score only one more in order to bag the bonus point. Humphreys was once again on target as Ulster stretched their lead. Aironi 6 Ulster 24.
Ulster continued to work hard and slowly made their way up field again until they were within distance of scoring another try. A five-metre scrum on 57 minutes was then turned illegally by the Italian side and the referee wasted no time in awarding Ulster the penalty try, effectively sealing the sides’ bonus point. Humphreys landed the conversion, extending his teams’ lead even further. Aironi 6 Ulster 31.
Chris Henry, who had replaced Ferris around the hour mark, scored Ulster’s fifth try on 67 minutes after being set up by Wannenburg. Humphreys added the extras. Aironi 6 Ulster 38.
Wannenburg, the deserved Man of the Match, also played a key role in Ulster’s sixth and final try as he fed through to Ian Whitten, allowing him to break through Aironi’s defence and offload to Danielli who touched down in the corner. Humphreys wasn’t as accurate with the conversion on this occasion, but the victory had already been sealed for the Ulstermen. Aironi 6 Ulster 43.
As the final whistle blew, Ulster finished the game as one of two best placed runners up in this years’ competition and celebrated making the quarter-final stages for the first time since 1999.
Final score: Aironi 6 Ulster 43
Thoughts on the game?
Well, Ulster have managed to qualify to the knock out stages of the Heineken Cup for the first time since they won the Cup in 1999.. but they made hard work of it in the first half!
Maybe the nerves got to the team, which is understandable, but they tried to play ‘fancy’ rugby in the opening stages of the game, rather than focusing on the task in hand.
As with last week’s report, a mention must go to each player because once they settled into the game, they all worked hard and worked together to produce that performance today. Ferris, Faloon and Wannenburg were outstanding in the pack making tackle after tackle and a special mention must go to Pedrie for his two tries – as well as setting Henry and Danielli up for theirs.
Trimble and D’Arcy also had a great game and prove to be a threat anytime they have the ball in hand, creating lines and cutting through the defence.
However, I think one of the most frustrating things is how Pool 4 eventually shaped up. Ulster won 5 out of their 6 Pool games, yet managed to finish second to Biarritz who won 4 of their 6 games. Like I said earlier in the year however, bonus points will always make the difference and it did come back to haunt Ulster today. Let’s just hope when the Magners’ League comes to a close it isn’t the same story.
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One Response to “Heineken Cup: Aironi 6 Ulster 43”
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Yes ED – the bonus points…………. However Ulster done what was in their zone of control to do – they went and won with a bonus point – the Biarritz / Bath game was always outside their zone of control and coulldn’t influence that in any way shape or form. The pool was in the condition it was because Biarritz underestimated the Aironi game, after they blew us away in october with a bp win,it was always going to be a best 2nd place qualification spot for us. And we done it … to win the pool would have been fantastic but we are in the 1/4 finals … yes an away trip biut at this stage of the game its all about how u play on the day and with the last 2 Ulster performances we have every chance of going to the semis regardlessof who we play.
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