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Zebre will be encouraged at their chances of claiming only a second European victory in their history. - 15/01/2015 16:53
Zebre will be encouraged at their chances of claiming only a second European victory in their history.
The Italian side – in only their third year of existence – claimed a first continental win in the round two game against Brive.
Edoardo Padovani kicked 16 points and back-row pair Valerio Bernabo and Samu Vunisa both scored tries in the historic 26-21 at Stadio XXV Aprille.
Now they have the chance to double their return from a first campaign in the Challenge Cup. They have also been further boosted by the selection of 13 Bianconeri in Italy’s squad for the RBS Six Nations, including young backs Guglielmo Palazzani, Giulio Bisegni and Michele Visentin.
Brive had two players binned in that home defeat to Zebre and their lack of discipline has been a major Achilles heel this season. They also have their minds on domestic survival given they are currently 12th in the Top 14.
Brive have only won two of their last seven games in all competitions and went down 44-20 at Clermont-Auvergne last week in a game where head coach Nicolas Godignon celebrated 100 games as part of the back-room staff.
However the French club – Heineken Cup champions in 1996 – have a proud record to maintain. In 15 previous European campaigns, only once have they ended a season without a win and never in the Challenge Cup.
Match Facts
- Zebre’s only win in European competition came against Brive in Round 2; the Italians are yet to win at home however.
- Brive have lost their last five games in the tournament; they had lost just one of 14 (W12 D1) games before that run.
- Brive’s Alfi Mafi is the only player to make 50+ carries (52) after four rounds of action.
- Brive have the joint-worst discipline in terms of penalties conceded this season having conceded 54 in total, whilst Zebre are the only team to have received a red card this season.
Zebre did the campaign Pool 5 double over Brive in their group basement battle - only the second tournament victory for the Italian club. - 17/01/2015 17:48
Zebre did the campaign Pool 5 double over Brive in their group basement battle – only the second tournament victory for the Italian club.
And it leaves the former European champions Brive languishing in bottom place and with only pride to play for in the final round against runaway group winners Gloucester Rugby.
The 23-13 was achieved with Zebre coming from behind and despite hooker Oliviero Fabiani being yellow carded late on.
Luciano Orquera opened the scoring with a penalty but Romain Sola levelled matters within two minutes.
Brive lost back-row Kieran Murphy to an early rib injury and a second penalty against the French scrum allowed Orquera to regain the lead at 6-3 on 31 minutes.
Sola once again levelled just before half-time and then in the 51st minute full back Alfie Mafi surged through before handing scoring pass to Venioni Voretamaya.
Sola converted but three minutes later Kelly Haimona crossed, Orquera converting, before Orquera added the extra points to a penalty try from a scrum.
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