By David Williams
Cardiff coach Matt Sherratt admitted his team got what they deserved after they lost at home to Benetton in their United Rugby Championship opener.
The Italians won 23-22 at the Arms Park after they snatched victory following a straight red card given to Cardiff prop Ciaran Parker for a reckless high tackle.
The visitors had trailed 19-3 after 32 minutes but went up a gear in the second half to snatch the spoils in the final minute of the match.
Jacob Umaga nailed a penalty after Benetton prop Simone Ferrari had been laid out by a shoulder to the head from debut-making Cardiff prop Parker, who was sent off for dangerous play.
“Ciaran (Parker) actually did very well when he came on and made a real impact but that error is unfortunate, especially when there was just 90 seconds left. It’s just about learning technique but we have no complaints about the red,” said Sherratt.
“We’ve been on the other side of those late kicks on occasion and it’s important not to judge an entire game on one moment.
📽️ Liam Belcher post-match
An honest assessment from yesterday’s captain following an agonisingly last-minute defeat.#YmlaenCaerdydd pic.twitter.com/qBeVGQ7m0h
— Cardiff Rugby (@Cardiff_Rugby) October 22, 2023
“We were really good in the first half, our set piece and defence were excellent and we took our chances well. But we need to look at why we couldn’t keep it going in the second half.”
It had been a one-sided second half, with Cardiff’s only points coming through a penalty from new outside-half Tinus de Beer.
Cardiff are relying heavily on youth this season and there will be widespread hope they can progress their development, but if they cannot beat Benetton at home it is difficult to see where many victories will come from.
They had been 19-10 to the good at the end of a first half in which they had played most of the rugby, with three tries in 14 minutes after Benetton had taken an early lead with a penalty from outside-half Umaga, the nephew of All Blacks great Tana Umaga.
Livewire captain Liam Belcher was on the end of a driving lineout for Cardiff after 18 minutes for De Beer to convert, while a sustained build-up culminated in a second try with prop Rhys Carre forcing his way over near the sticks.
Something I must add is the comments I’ve seen towards Ciaran Parker is out of order. Yes it was a poor tackle and a red card but there will be nobody more disappointed than Ciaran himself. He’s one of our lads. Poor tackle yes but come on now back him. https://t.co/h9Zw08Tii3
— Everything Cardiff Rugby & Football (@CardiffRFCfan) October 22, 2023
Cardiff’s third try was the pick with inside passes from right-wing Owen Lane and De Beer sending scrum-half Ellis Bevan over.
But De Beer was timed out by the clock – kickers are allowed a minute for attempts at goal – as he lined up the conversion.
Benetton opened their try account two minutes earlier when hooker Gianmarco Lucchesi emerged from under a pile of bodies after a line-out catch and drive, Umaga converting from a difficult angle.
They had a spring in their step when the second half started, increasing the tempo and being rewarded with another successful penalty from Umaga to trim the arrears to six points.
De Beer responded with a penalty at the hour mark for a 22-13 lead, but it did not deter the visitors when substitute Tomas Albornoz raced clear for a super try.
Umaga converted and then took his match tally to 13 points with the winning penalty.