Munster edge out Crusaders after a thriller in Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Munster's Shane Daly makes a break against Crusaders. Picture: INPHO/Ben Brady
MUNSTER survived a missed late conversion attempt by the Crusaders to level the game to win an entertaining friendly against Super Rugby champions the Crusaders at the rechristened SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday evening.
The game was preceded by the first-ever haka in the Páirc, much to the enjoyment of the huge Cork crowd, in what was a unique occasion by the banks of the river Lee.
Munster had the better of the attacking opportunities in the opening quarter and while the Kiwis repelled the initial attacks they had no response in the 15th minute when Gavin Coombes, deployed in the second row these days, blasted over from close range for a stereotypical score to get the scoreboard up and running.
In the 34th minute, we got what is a very rare bird this season, a Munster try scored off a driving maul, with Coombes again crashing over after the pack had obliterated the Crusaders' forwards.
Just when it felt it was looking all too easy for Munster the New Zealanders struck for a superb score when Macca Springer and Dallas McLeod combined brilliantly down the left touchline in the 34th minute to send the supporting scrum half Mitch Drummond over for a superb try, which outhalf Taha Kemara converted to ensure that Munster led by just 14-7 at the break.
Munster completely dominated possession in the third quarter but they were not able to make their dominance count on the scoreboard, and they paid for this when the visitors crossed for a superb try in the 64th minute when inside centre Dallas McLeod touched down in the left corner after a slick move.
Munster needed a quick response and they got it when they forced a number of penalties, which allowed Munster to batter away at the Crusaders line until reserve hooker Scott Buckley burrowed over from close range in the 70th minute to restore the home side's lead.
The Crusaders were presented with a wonderful opportunity to rescue the game in the final minutes when a penalty against Munster gave them an avenue into the Munster 22 and they took their chance when replacement Jamie Hannah blasted over from close range to score with the final play of the game to make it 21-19.
This presented Rivez Reihana with the opportunity to force a draw with the conversion but to the delight of the boisterous Cork crowd his kick hooked to the left and Munster were able to celebrate the win.
J Carbery (2 cons), T Butler (1 con), G Coombes (2 tries), S Buckley (1 try).
T Kemara (1 con), R Reihana (1 con), M Drummond, J Hannah and D McLeod (1 try each).
S Daly; S O'Brien, A Frisch, A Nankivell, S McCarthy; J Carbery, E Coughlan; J Wycherley, E Clarke, S Archer; G Coombes, F Wycherley; R Quinn, A Kendellen (c), J O'Sullivan.
S Buckley and J Ryan for E Clarke and S Archer (50), N Cronin and R Scannell for E Coughlan and A Nankivell (55), T Butler for S McCarthy (67), M Donnelly for J Wycherley (69), J Daly for R Quinn (71), C Hogan for S O’Brien (76), K Novak for F Wycherley (78), D Okeke for J O’Sullivan (80).
L Halfpenny; C Fihaki, L Aumua, D McLeod, M Springer; T Kemara, M Drummond; G Bower, G Bell, O Franks; Q Strange (c), T Cahill; D Gardiner; T Christie, C Grace.
H Murray for L Halfpenny (16), N Hotham, R Reihana, R Crotty for T Kemara, M Drummond and L Aumua (52), J Hannah and C Lio-Willie for T Cahill and C Grace (54).
Chris Busby (IRFU).
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