MAGNERS LEAGUE Cardiff Blues 16 Leinster 16: MICHAEL CHEIKA hailed Leinster's robust defence after emerging from their titanic opening Magners League clash against Cardiff Blues with a hard-fought draw.
New signing Isa Nacewa appeared to have put Cheika's men on course for an unlikely away success following his well-taken try in the 68th minute.
But the reigning champions were forced to settle for a share of the spoils with last season's runners-up after Ben Blair's late penalty tied the scores at the Arms Park.
Cheika said: "It's a solid start for us and I must give credit to the players for their effort because it was a very physical encounter to begin the season. We wanted a better result but a draw isn't a bad result. Cardiff Blues are a top quality team and did not finish second last season for nothing.
"There were up for it and we hoped to run them down. Defence is as much part of the game as the attack and playing away from home you tend to defend a lot more than you attack. That's the nature of rugby.
"We stayed in the game as long as possible and we hung tough under a lot of pressure before coming back strongly. We just couldn't hold on to that three-point advantage."
Leinster were handed a fierce examination of their title credentials by Dai Young's physical outfit and in truth the Irish province came off second best for long periods in the Welsh capital.
Felipe Contepomi booted the visitors into a 10th minute lead with the first of three successful penalties but the Blues were on the front foot in the early stages and dominated both possession and territory.
The hosts built momentum in a scrappy opening quarter and eventually Blair scored the first try of the match in the 18th minute following good approach play by the Blues engine room.
Number eight Andy Powell and flanker Maama Molitika pinned Leinster back on their try-line and scrumhalf Jason Spice's quick long pass found Kiwi Blair, who cruised over in the right corner.
Blair displayed supreme confidence to hammer home the conversion from the right hand touchline before outhalf Nicky Robinson extended the Blues' advantage with a drop goal for a deserved 10-3 lead at half-time.
Leinster were left searching for answers but it wasn't long before Contepomi fired them back into this compelling contest with his second penalty on 46 minutes.
Robinson added his second drop goal before the composed Argentinian centre kept Leinster alive.
Then Nacewa put Leinster in the lead after the debutant took Malcolm O'Kelly's inside pass to sprint home after Blues wing Richard Mustoe dropped a high ball.
Contepomi added the conversion but Blair gave the Blues a lifeline and two points with a 71st minute penalty from the halfway line.
Cheika added: "I believe we've got a better team than last season and there are half a dozen players to come back into the side. The players are comfortable with each other and the team spirit is brilliant but we need to show our improvement on the paddock."
Cardiff Blues coach Dai Young said: "We feel it was two points lost and not two points won. It was hugely frustrating."
CARDIFF BLUES: B Blair; R Mustoe, T Shanklin, J Roberts, C Czekaj; N Robinson, J Spice; G Jenkins, Gareth Williams, T Filise, B Davies, P Tito, M Molitika, A Powell, Martyn Williams. Replacements: J Robinson for Blair (39 mins); R Thomas for Gareth Williams, G Powell for Filise (both 58 mins); D Allinson for Spice (62 mins); S Morgan for Tito (74 mins). Not used: B White, C Sweeney.
LEINSTER: I Nacewa; S Horgan, B O'Driscoll, F Contepomi, R Kearney; J Sexton, C Whitaker (capt); C Healy, B Jackman, R McCormack , D Toner, M O'Kelly, C Jowitt, S Jennings, J Heaslip. Replacements: G Dempsey for Sexton (46 mins); S Knoop for McCormack (51 mins); L Fitzgerald for Horgan (62 mins); SO'Brien for Healy, J Fogarty for Jackman (both 79 mins). Not used: T Hogan, C Keane.
Referee: A Macpherson(SRU).
