Munster defeat Argentina in lively clash at Thomond Park
Sean O'Brien of Munster, left, celebrates with teammates Max Clein and Ben O'Connor after scoring their side's fifth try. Picture: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
Out-half Tony Butler inspired Munster to victory over an Argentinian XV side in a highly entertaining game at Thomond Park on Saturday evening, with the Clare native scoring a fabulous brace.
Even though the Puma selection contained only a handful of full internationals, they were still able to field a typically big, burly pack and they dominated the opening exchanges, only to be met by a resilient Munster defensive line.
The visitors eventually opened the scoring in the 19th minute when a loose kick from Munster full-back Mike Haley was collected by his opposite number Tobias Wade, who dinked delightfully over the top before collecting the favourable bounce, and he was able to feed his supporting centre Faustino Sanchez Valarolo on his inside to cross the whitewash.
Munster responded almost immediately with their first real attack of the game. Gavin Coombes made a huge burst up the middle to get the Argentinean defence back pedalling, and when Shay McCarthy got close to the tryline with the next carry, scrum half Paddy Patterson was able to pop to second row Evan O’Connell to crash over in the 20th minute.
Munster hit the front in the 34th minute when an overthrown lineout from Lee Barron 20 yards out from the tryline bounced loose and the alert Butler was the first to react, as he ran a beautiful arcing line to make the left corner to score, to ensure that Munster led 10-7 at half time, as they were much the better side in the second quarter.
Munster resumed as the dominant force in the second half as Coombes won an impressive turnover on halfway, and after Munster had gone to the corner from a subsequent penalty, it was the Skibbereen number eight who was on hand to barrel his way over from close range to score in the 45th minute.
Paddy Patterson was yellow-carded in the 49th minute for tackling his opposite number Alejo Sugasti while on the ground, and they took instant advantage of their numerical advantage when they easily mauled over for a try, with hooker Leonel Oviedo having the simple task of touching down.
Down a man, Munster scored a glorious team try in the 53rd minute. Captain Jack O’Donoghue played a wonderful one-two with Ben O’Connor, with the former Barr’s hurler giving a sublime offload to keep the move flowing. O’Donoghue was then able to find the supporting Tony Butler with a deft one-handed offload of his own, and the Clare outhalf had the gas to get home for his second.
Argentina stayed in the game by scoring a breakaway try after they capitalised on a couple of missed tackles in midfield, with Santiago Pernas and Leonardo Gea Salim playing a one-two of their own which allowed winger Pernas to cross for a try in the 64th minute, only for Sean O’Brien to chalk the score off three minutes later when he burst through some weak Puma tackling in midfield to score.
The score was needed, as Wade crossed for a late Puma try, but it was a consolation try only.
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