Drama at the Dexcom Stadium as Connacht fall to Bulls
Connacht were edged 28-27 in a dramatic United Rugby Championship clash with the Vodacom Bulls, a result that capped a difficult run of form for the Irish side. A 20-minute red card to back-row forward Josh Murphy loomed large, but it was the Bulls’ late surge and a patient finish that ultimately decided the contest at the Dexcom Stadium.
The visitors began with intent, racing into a 7-0 lead after a swift sequence from inside the Bulls’ 22. Fly-half Josh Ioane finished off the opening attack, then converted to hand Connacht a slender advantage that wouldn’t last long in a highly competitive affair.
Key moments that defined the night
Two Bulls five-pointers bookended the half, punctuated by a decisive moment in the 20th minute. Scrum-half Paul de Wet touched down after a piercing midfield counter by Sebastian de Klerk exposed a vulnerable Connacht defense. Willie Le Roux then added a try from deep, with Keegan Johannes converting the second score to put the Bulls ahead.
The game’s most talked-about moment arrived soon after. Connacht flanker Murphy was dismissed after a TMO review, with officials finding insufficient evidence of a groin grab but concluding he had thrown a punch at Bulls winger Jan-Hendrik Wessels. The red card forced Connacht to press on with 60 minutes reduced, a setback that would test their resolve for the remainder of the match.
The Bulls extended their lead early in the second half when Johannes slotted a drop goal, but Connacht hit back quickly. Caolin Blade orchestrated a Jayda-style counter, and after a Byron Ralston break, Ioane finished off to close the gap to one point.
De Wet continued his influence for the Bulls with a second try as the home side struggled to fully shake off the deficit. Canan Moodie and de Klerk again caused Connacht problems as the Bulls maintained control in the wider channels.
Late twists and a final stand
With ten minutes remaining, the Bulls led by six and were on course to protect their lead. Ioane’s missed conversion from Naughton’s try kept Connacht in touching distance, while Bulls captain Willie Le Roux’s high tackle on Sean Naughton set up an opportunity for a closing wind-assisted surge.
Connacht seized the moment. Mack Hansen crossed in the corner after a lengthy spell of patient phases, finishing a move that had looked unlikely to break the deadlock. Naughton’s subsequent attempt from the tee proved tricky in the gale, leaving the Bulls clinging to their lead as the clock wound down.
The final whistle confirmed a 28-27 win for the Bulls, with Connacht left to rue what might have been had the red card not altered the balance of the match.
What this means for Connacht
The result leaves Connacht with back-to-back URC defeats, highlighting both the squad’s resilience and the fragility that can accompany a game influenced by discipline and game-management. With a man advantage for a good portion of the second half, the visitors will reflect on missed chances and a late conversion that could have swung momentum in their favour.
Connacht will hope for a quick recovery as they prepare to host upcoming fixtures, aiming to improve their defensive shape and decision-making under pressure. For Bulls fans, the win serves as a demonstration of their ability to rise under pressure and convert pressure into points late in the contest.
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