‘Mission impossible’ but Treviso eyeing a famous victory

MATCH-of-the-Season is an overused phrase, but for Benetton Treviso tomorrow’s clash with Munster has become just that.

It’s Mission Impossible according to the Italian version of the Heineken Cup website, but that one point win against Perpignan and the narrow defeat by Northampton Saints before Christmas have encouraged the Treviso fans to dream of a momentous victory.

They may be bottom of Pool One, but they have more points than illustrious clubs such as Harlequins and Brive, and have scored more tries than Bath.

More significantly from the Italian point of view, their record this season compares very well with the country’s other representatives in the competition.

Viadana have yet to score a point and their try count is three for and 26 against, compared to six and 15 for Treviso.

The Italian Rugby Federation has still to make a final decision on which teams will play in the Magners League next season, but a good performance against Munster will surely earn Treviso one of the two places.

A few days ago it looked as if the home team might have the conditions their supporters were praying for – a wet pitch that would make it more difficult for the Munster backs and even up the odds. But the weather has improved and promises to be sunny if chilly tomorrow.

Treviso’s form since the turn of the year is their other concern.

Apart from that match against Northampton, they had a 100% record at home this season until their shock 24-30 defeat on January 6 at the hands of Prato.

Most of the damage was done by Prato’s prolific full-back Rima Watarua, top scorer in the Super 10 for four of the past five seasons, and Treviso were without several first-choice players because of flu.

However, last Sunday’s away game against Petrarca saw a third consecutive loss (8-3) in a poor game that was effectively settled by a try after just two minutes.

Treviso failed to make any impact in attack and their day was summed up with a knock-on five minutes from the end by their Argentinian centre Gonzalo Garcia when a try seemed certain.

Despite these disappointments Treviso will be looking to recapture the form they showed against Northampton when momentary lapses in concentration cost them the game.

That match only went ahead thanks to huge efforts by volunteers to clear the snow and the club is looking to recapture something of the same spirit tomorrow, urging supporters “to wear the green and white, sing from the first minute to the last and be the 16th man on the pitch.’’