Rugby Club Innsbruck earned a deserved victory over McDonalds OÖ this weekend in near perfect conditions at Hatting.
RCI began the game determined to avenge the defeat to Linz earlier in the season, where the Tyroleans had lead in the early stages only
to release their grip on the game. After a run of disappointing defeats, captain Dieter Albert put it to his teammates that their pride was
at stake, and they responded in typical Tyrolean fashion.
Innsbruck’s forwards gave the Linz pack a real battle up front with a disciplined and collected display. The lineout functioned well with Bernard Hörtnagl finding his jumpers and the scrum continuously asked questions of the visitors. This forwards platform was evidenced by the game’s opening try, where a disrupted scrum gave scrum half Patrick Young the chance to touch down under the Linz posts. Two further penaltys from out-half De Jean de la Batie extended the home side’s lead to 13-0 before hard-working prop Gert Waizer crashed over for a try on the stroke of half time that the forwards’ work deserved.
The opening 20 minutes of the second half would decide if a comeback was on the cards and RCI withstood considerable Linz pressure in this period. Linz should be credited with a brave display themselves, and their attitude over the 80 hard-fought minutes was to never give up or take a step back.
Paul Holzhammer, solid in defence all afternoon at outside centre for RCI, showed what he can do with ball-in-hand and raced over to put the game beyond Linz on 55 minutes. Captain Dieter Albert bagged one for himself shortly afterwards, as RCI finished the game with strength following the introduction of experienced replacements from the home bench. Prop Michael Oberhauser showed his versatility and power in the loose for the try of the day, shrugging off 2 tackles before taking on and rounding the full back for a popular score with his teammates and the RCI supporters. Waizer added another try at the death after a penalty from Linz to leave the final score 42 – 3 to Innsbruck.
Coach Jo Trojer “After losing to Celtic in March, we had a long time to think about this game. The win was important and I was happy with the way the team responded today. Linz are a good side and we were aware that they have come back at us in the last 2 games, so it was
important to show them respect and play for the full 80 minutes”
Innsbruck Number 8 Andi Raunigger was voted Man of the Match for a typically dynamic and vocal performance, his first such award in 8 years for the club. Long overdue.
The Tiroler Böck came back from an early deficit to beat the Linz Espoir 29-17 in the B Bundesliga match, with stand out performances from Andi Kirchlechner, Mike Melia, Mattieu Rhomberg and Mattias Märk.
May 6th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
Yo JT… well done… is this team kuk… or are your boy’s smashing it?
May 6th, 2010 at 2:07 pm
Reply to bryce_in_oz @ 1:56 pm:
we are turning the corner – we have lost our way but working hard on the basics and that is mainly what did it last week.
This weekend however we take on the champions in Vienna and that is going to be very tough. Basically playing the Austrian National team
but if we can keep up with the energy shown last weekend and stick to the game plan by doing the basics well we will have a shot…
Linz beat us last year and they were strong but have had a few injuries and have lost their mojo a bit.
May 6th, 2010 at 4:48 pm
Hi guys; Who are the SA schools champions in SA? This and last year?
The Kiwis are claiming that they won a world title but the Pom school that played was not even finalists in England so I was wondering about the other “facts” in this article:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/news/3663413/Hamilton-school-wins-world-rugby-final
May 7th, 2010 at 12:00 am
Reply to JT @ 4:48 pm:
I presume Grey Bloem as per norm… but check out rugby365.com or (cough) Voldy… both have a school’s section…
May 7th, 2010 at 12:14 pm
This weekend we are off to vienna to take on the Champions! We were supposed to be taking 2 teams (A & B) to play 2 games. Nthanks to injury, illness and other lame excuses we had to cancel the B game.
Last week we had a full A team of 22 and 24 players fighting for a spot in the B team 22! 
Now 24 hours ahead of the BIG game we are down to a team of 17 players – sometimes it is
May 9th, 2010 at 9:08 am
Even with a depleted team traveling to Vienna we gave a real good account of ourselves.
Missing 3 1st choice props, 1 1st choice lock, 4 1st choice centers and my res hooker playing 12 we had them by the short & curlies for 60min (leading 6-3) and they were in a panic! Unfortunately our depleted bench did not have the nous to finish it off and we conceded 3 tries in the last 20min.
Final score 25-6 against the champions who are usually in a different league! We can beat these guys and next we will push for that 1st ever victory against RC Doanu!
May 9th, 2010 at 10:00 am
“and my res hooker playing 12″
What is Schalk Brits doing ‘moon-lighting’?
May 10th, 2010 at 11:03 am
Good morning bitches!
I am in one effing cold Amsterdam whwre East randers should by rights not be..,. this is there idea of spring… it is myidea of the fricking coldest days of the year in Boksburg!
Anyway
JT
This afternoon I shall be in Vienna
But our schedule is packed so Innsbruck is not on the list…
Cheers
May 10th, 2010 at 11:14 am
Reply to DavidS @ 11:03 am:
pity! Would have been good to show you around… maybe next time!
May 10th, 2010 at 11:35 am
Ja maybe the volcano messes everthing up so we’ll see what happens.
May 10th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
Reply to JT @ 4:48 pm:
Grey is miles ahead of the others schools this year.
Affies 2010 is also rated highly – and rugby356 has them second.
This weekend Grey visits Affies for their annual battle.
I suppose that will settle the debate.
May 10th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
Reply to JT @ 9:08 am:
well done