Croatia rugby snatches incredible first ever European Trophy Division victory
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
Croatia celebrate at the final whistle (Photo credit: Berislav Rožman)
Croatia has recorded its first ever victory in rugby’s European Trophy Division, and they have done it in dramatic fashion.
With time up on the clock and trailing Lithuania by one point, Croatia was awarded a penalty. Half-back Jason Newton calmly stepped up to send it down the middle to give the visitors a thrilling 39-37 victory in Šiauliai.
Moments earlier, Lithuania had scored a try in the corner and, with the help of the post, converted it to sneak back in front with time basically up.
From the resulting kick-off, Lithuania only had to kick the ball out of touch, but Croatia’s aggressive pack was quick to the ball in numbers and would force an error to earn the match-winning penalty.
Croatia, who were big underdogs going into the match, started well and scored the opening try in just the third minute of the game. Lithuania would rally back and would go into the break leading 27-14.
Lithuania extended its lead to 30-17 midway through the second half before the Croatian fightback started. Two tries in four minutes from powerful captain Nik Jurišić and prop Daniel Mau’u put Croatia in front 31-30.
Nik Jurišić goes over (Photo credit: Berislav Rožman)
Jurišić crossed again with three minutes remaining to put Croatia 36-30 up before the late drama unfolded.
Daniel Mau’u scores his first try for Croatia (Photo credit: Berislav Rožman)
“So, so proud. No one gave us a chance, but this group gets better and better. We started well, but a couple of key mistakes cost us at the end of the first half. At halftime, rather than focus on our mistakes, we changed tactics with the wind and did the ‘improbable’. Everyone stuck to our game plan, and when you mix that with the heart in this team, well, it’s all there to see now,” said Croatia coach Anthony Poša after the match.
Coach Anthony Poša with his troops (Photo credit: Berislav Rožman)
Croatia, which achieved historic success last season when it earned promotion to the European Trophy division, now has five points.
The squad now heads home where they will prepare to take on division leaders Switzerland next weekend in Makarska.
