HANDRE POLLARD’S DECISION to switch South Africa’s attack to the short side put Argentina in trouble, but Eben Etzebeth’s bronze-medal sealing score still required a series of perfectly-timed passes.
After Pollard’s switch, Willie Le Roux’s reverse pass draws a defender and leaves the ‘Boks with three bodies to two Puma defenders, but to navigate down such a narrow channel Jesse Kriel and Bryan Habana’s passes had to be super slick.
Habana, who was replaced with 14 minutes still on the clock and his name still only level with Jonah Lomu’s 15-try record tournament haul, must have pulled on his blazer tonight wondering why his hands seemed to fail him at every one of his own try-scoring opportunities.
One of those perfect nights from a coaches point of view, good result, good performances from key players, BP in the bag and no point for Edinburgh and still plenty to work on come Monday. I thought Joey went very well after a slow start and Beirne had his usual top game. Frisch looks tasty at 13 and both scrumhalves were excellent. It’s amazing how ireland continue to look for locks and try to mould guys into second rows with power and the ability to win collisions consistently and heres Kleyn doing it every week. One of the most underrated players in the country.
@Jim Demps: it’s bizarre how he was never given a shot. A big physical man with a huge workrate & doesn’t give away any dumb pens
@Jim Demps: Disagree. Kleyn is a million miles off being Ireland standard the way we play now. Good week in week out player but that’s it. Was v happy for Munster this evening though. (Leinster fan)
@Jim Demps: I hope now Jim you see the error in your ways to have consistently come out to bat for Johann van Gran. Some decent coaching starting to bear fruits already in my opinion.
@brian waldron: in what way? He’s a good lineout forward, terrific scrummager and a fierce hard worker. What else do you think an Irish 2nd row should be doing?
@Tim Magner: consistency. He hasn’t got it. Gainline. Skill set to catch pass and jackal. Don’t agree his line out is as good as you say. And as for a hard worker that’s a bare minimum not an extra.
@Jim Demps:
Totally agree Jim on Klyen he is exactly what all of the big successful teams have Larochelle beat Leinster with Skelton more or less single handed. What did Leinster do as a reaction bought Jenkins from Munster. Klyen should be in the Irish squad for one simple reason he is a better player than both Ryan and Henderson and is a proper Lock.
When Itoje goes well Sarries destroy most teams
@brian waldron: he’s been consistently consistent for years. When does Ryan ever win a gainline on the carry? Kleyn is bigger and more powerful. Jackel?? I don’t think that’s a prerequisite for a th lock. Ryan’s best attribute is that he’s a good defensive lineout player but a worse overall rugby player than beirne
@brian waldron: rubbish, when was the last time you saw James Ryan jackaling, like Kleyn he does the donk work.
@Bgkph: Rubbish, one game against an average team doesn’t justify anything !
@Jim Demps: new tact this season Jim? Rather than undermine Leinster players, you are overselling Munster players?
@brian waldron: understand!
@Tim Magner: Unfortunately he’s miles off the three main guys – Ryan, Beirne and Henderson. He’s a good club player and will do a job, but not a great rugby brain. He’s a grunt man, unlike the other three. That’s just not good enough in this Irish team. Ireland wants ballers not bruisers.
@Tim Magner: who mentioned Ryan???
@Paddy Ryan: ffs lads Kleyn is grand but now one good game and he’s Ireland. Laughable really.
@brian waldron: we are talking about th locks yea?
@amusing_musings: I can see how beirne is a baller, a gifted player, and of the 3 henderson is the best ball carrier. Bar a very good defensive lineout, in what way does Ryan ‘ball’?
@Tim Magner: drop your kleyn for Ireland. You’re a lost cause.
@Tim Magner: tight heads locks?
beirne’s a great player, world class 6, out of position in 2nd row. Definitely not a tight side. Fair enough if you don’t like Ryan, but he does all the things Beirne can’t do.
Love Beirne, want him at 6 for Ireland.
@brian waldron: I’m only wondering why he didn’t get a shot? I’m not saying he’s better than the other 3 but he has done at least as much as treadwell and more than Mccarthy. If the Ireland coaches don’t like him then that’s fair enough
@James Hughes: beirne has made his career as mainly a 2nd row, he has been the best 2nd row in Ireland for a few years now. I’m not sure what games he’s played at 6 to be called worldclass there. I’m sure if he played there he’d be class, for me he’s one of the best back 5 forwards in the world, I think that’s unquestionable
@brian waldron: 100% agree
@Bgkph: Better than Ryan & Henderson? What hahahaha
@Tim Magner: he’s a complete player. Obviously if you’re only looking for the highlight reel you’ll miss his worth, a lot of armchair supporters do, but those with a bit of knowledge know that he’s doing just as much as beirne and Henderson in there and that he’s way more valuable than the likes of Klein. Just try and look beyond the obvious Tim. It’s a complicated sport. You’ll enjoy it a lot more if you actually understand the nuances. Try to ignore the raised voices of the commentators, and the frenzied cheer of the fans – they’re really just clickbait. Proper rugby people don’t get suckered in by that. And you’ll get there, eventually.
@h: one good game? Give over.
Kleyn has been superb all season.
He’s a better 18 months at provincial level than James Ryan.
Frisch looks like what munster have been missing
Excellent second half, we’re growing, slowly
Lovely game to watch and hats off to Munster who were mega impressive.
Good to have them back to top form and excellent pace and power
If France are wanting to Frisch back then A.F get him a cap asap. He’s been fantastic for Munster this year so far. Like another playmaker on the field
@whoowhat?: he’s a class act. He’s a real playmaker and he’s literally everywhere
@whoowhat?: He’s slippery, seems to make that extra gain in tackles that allows a silky offload. Best move was the only play Crowley had from 10 late in the game, attacking the line and forcing the defence to step back, ends with a superb break from Frisch, unlucky to float the pass forward. Don’t think Edinburgh saw the ball in that second half. 6N he may see some minutes, against France for the craic :)
Great result and good to see munster getting back to some form…
Fantastic win very well played
Landmark victory
First quarter was worried this was going to be an Edinburgh game. Munster came back and won well. Five points too. Hopefully this will put them above Edinburgh in the table!
Great away win, certainly making progress.
POM worryingly quiet again. Munster are a different team with Tadhg Beirne playing, he’s immense and should be given the captaincy. He leads by example.
Nash was the standout back, himself and Daly always looked threatening. Frisch will be box office, once he settles. Patterson excellent again.
@Daithí O’ Donnabhain: pom destroyed their lineout
@Tim Magner: I think the Edinburgh hooker destroyed their line-out. Mind you none of the hookers were too hot at line-out time.
Great win, good performance.
Squad depth crucial. Pack were immense
That first half showed the weaknesses still exist. Cut open too many times. Good finish though. Dower atmosphere overall!!
@Thomas Meaney: were you at it
@Thomas Meaney: eat my shorts
@Paddy Waggon: didn’t need to be. Was too obvious.
@Ger Lyons: nom nom!!
@Thomas Meaney: Scots went very quiet after Munster got the second try & near silent when we took the lead. I reckon they were watching in disbelief after that.
However we won’t get away with that type of start against the top teams.
Knashers
Can we convince comments to people with a triple digit IQ?
Knasher