John Cena would be proud
Leinster defeated 14-man Cardiff Blues, in Wales, following a straight red card for home flanker Jarrad Hoeata and a second-half rally. Tries from Noel Reid, Jimmy Gopperth, Luke McGrath and Tadg Furlong eventually gave Matt O’Connor’s men a 22-13 win.
New Zealand native Hoeata was given his marching orders for a high tackle, bordering on a clotheslines, on Leinster captain Rob Kearney.
Leinster hit the front after less than a minute as Gopperth made a superb line-break and teed up Reid for a great counter-attack try.
The Kiwi missed his conversion and Cardiff’s Gareth Anscombe kicked his side in front with two penalties. Manoa Vosawai then heaved over and touched down from close range, after 26 minutes, leaving Anscombe to add the extras for a 13-5 lead.
However, the situation improved for Leinster after Hoeata’s indiscretion and they pressed home the man advantage after the break. Gopperth and Reid impressed while Ben Te’o made a number of big hits and clean breaks before Furlong’s try guaranteed the bonus point win.
Here are the match highlights:
