by Saracens 55 Connacht 36
It takes something special to stand out from the star-studded crowd at Saracens, but Juan Martin Gonzalez clearly possesses the physical and mental attributes to do so.
The strapping, elegant and powerful Puma is already proving to be one of the signings of the summer for a Saracens outfit hell-bent on adding three Champions Cup trophies and six Premiership titles.
Gonzalez has quickly put the loss to London Irish well and truly behind him with the kind of start to his new rugby career across the capital that he could only have dreamed of after helping Argentina to the Cup semi-finals reach the Earth.
On a European day when Owen Farrell’s temper was stretched to the limit by Connacht rival Shayne Bolton, and England teammate Maro Itoje was sin-binned for a dangerous hit, the 6ft 4in Gonzalez was cool and personable.
He has fitted into the Sarries jigsaw as if tailor-made for the position at the back. The 23-year-old clearly has no hangover in France, and has won the hearts of those fans who fear the loss of Ben Earl and others would particularly damage the club’s thirst for more silverware at home and abroad.
Gonzalez said: “It was difficult to leave Irish because it was a great group. It was so difficult because it was a good, old club. There were a few more Argies but I had to turn the page and move on to the next challenge. I still keep in touch with my old teammates.
“Sarries gave me a warm welcome, the fans and everyone at the club. This is the best team in the Premiership so I was happy they called me. Hopefully I can be successful here and help the club win more trophies as they have a strong history.”
Director of Rugby Mark McCall was clearly impressed, arguing: “Sometimes it’s hard to come into a new club without a pre-season. But it’s pretty incredible to hit the ground running like he has. He is a great talent and a young man. Very mature and hardworking. He is playing excellent rugby. He is so good that you want him close to the ball and his tackle numbers are usually very high. Not only does he flash, but like any young player there are always things to work on and improve.”
Gonzalez celebrated a stunning try in the crunch win over Connacht – helping the Londoners bounce back from their opening defeat against the Bulls in South Africa. He was a formidable, industrious and powerful presence in a Sarries performance that started slowly but came through the gears to overcome their Irish rivals.
Farrell played well throughout, apart from a couple of missed kicks at goal, but he also showed his tinderbox character and was penalized for doing so. He fought off Bolton’s pressure after a tackle by leaping up and twice pushing the Connacht winger, who was on the floor. A penalty was awarded, which Jack Carty kicked. The England captain was clearly focused on Connacht, something that will continue during his time away from the international spotlight.
After Gonzalez’s initial effort from Farrell’s through, Connacht threatened something of an upset as they clawed their way into a healthy lead courtesy of Test center Bundee Aki finishing a skip ahead and a try from Caolin Blade.
But, when the Sarries pack got a head of steam, and England’s prolific hurler Jamie George claimed driving heroics, the hosts began to turn the screw and take full control.
Young center Olly Hartley made his first start in the Champions Cup with a brace of tries and there were also scores for the hosts from Sean Maitland, Lucia Cinti and Theo Dan at the death.
Connacht, who had previously seen leader Cian Prendergast booked for foul play at the ruck, tried to stay in the hunt but their defense could not match their attack. Although they had plenty of punch in the first half when they led 17-8, they lacked the same collective steel when it mattered most when they were under the pump in the second half.
Sarries missed Itoje in the box for a one-on-one tackle on Paul Boyle. Due to extenuating circumstances involving a change of direction England’s green could not see the red.
JJ Hanrahan and Joe Joyce and Prendergast hit back but gave up and conceded every time they scored.
McCall, however, was quite happy with his team’s response after losing to the Bulls. He added: “It was a good step in the right direction. We still have a lot more in us but this puts us at the top of the pool and it’s a nice way to get back to the Premiership games at Christmas.”
Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins admitted: “I was pleased with the way the lads took to the task in the first half but in the end we were beaten by a very good team. We had two difficult opening games in the competition but we have to take them on the chin and improve.”
Data matching
Scores (Saracens first): 5-0 (Gonzalez try), 5-5 (Aki try), 5-7 (Carty con), 8-7 (Farrell pen),
8-12 (Blade try), 8-14 (Carty con), 8-17 (Carty pen), 13-17 (George try), 16-17 (Farrell pen); 21-17 (George try); half time; 26-17 (Hartley try), 28-17 (Farrell con), 31-17 (Farrell pen), 36-17 (Maitland try), 38-17 (Farrell con), 43-17 (Cinti try), 43- 22 (Hanrahan try), 43-24 (Hanrahan con). 48-24 (Hartley try), 50-24 (Farrell con), 50-29 (Joyce try), 55-29 (Dan try), 55-34 (Prendagast try), 55-36 (Hanrahan con)
Saracens: A Goode (T Parton 71); L Cinti, N Tompkins, O Hartley, S Maitland (A Lewington 58); O Farrell (c), A Davies (I van Zyl 55); M Vunipola (T West 58), J George (T Dan 55), A Clarey (L Mulipola 68); M Itoje, T McFarland; JM Gonzalez (T Knight 65), A Christie, B Vunipola (H Tizard 59).
Connacht: J Porch (JJ Hanrahan 59); B Ralston (A Kilgallen 59), T Farrell, B Aki, S Bolton; J Carty (c) (M McDonald 59), C Blade; J Duggan (D Buckley 47), D Heffernan, J Aungier (F Belham 47); G Thornbury (J Joyce 47), C Prendergast, C Oliver (J Oliver 55), P Boyle (D Tierney Martin 61).
Referee: Luke Ramos
Player Match: Gonzalez (Saracens).
Attendance: 9,029
