Murray Kinsella reports from Allianz Park
MUNSTER WERE BEATEN 33-10 by Saracens at Allianz Park this afternoon. You can read our full match report here.
Munster’s error count
Munster themselves flagged how vital a low error count was going to be this week, given that so many of Sarries’ scores tend to come directly from the mistakes of their opponents.
No team goes out to make errors, but Munster’s were massively costly at Allianz Park. The opening score of the game came from Duncan Williams’ attempt to run the ball out of his own 22, while the first Saracens try came after Ian Keatley had kicked the pill dead.
The second try through Chris Aston followed a breakdown offence from Felix Jones. Elsewhere, Paul O’Connell was uncharacteristically loose in possession and others produced stifling errors.
Picking out individuals is not the point, rather that competing at this level in Europe means not making the kind of mistakes that allow the opposition easy ‘ins’ to making scoreboard gains.
Sarries on a different planet
In an overall sense, it was difficult to argue that Saracens’ 23-point winning margin did not tell the story of the game. In fact, a bonus-point try would have been well earned as Mark McCall’s men put in their strongest performance of the season.
In contrast, Munster fell well below their own standards in a season that has been inconsistent. They are capable of far better than this showing when in form, but today Saracens were on a different level.
Even the basics of the game escaped Munster as they spilled possession, went off their feet at rucks and missed hits in open play. Discipline was poor for Munster too, but Saracens were impressively polished.
Saracens variety
Though much of the focus in Ireland will be on Munster’s performance, Saracens turned up in impressive fashion to score three tries and generally look more than comfortable in victory.
There was direct power in their display, with the Vunipolas and centre pair Brad Barritt and Marcelo Bosch carrying strongly, but they also offered some clever flourishes in attack through their use of screen passes behind the same men.
Tip-on passes from the forwards unsettled Munster’s front line defence, while the half-backs varied their kicking game well. As for the first Chris Ashton try, Saracens were not afraid burst away on the counter when the opportunity arose.
It was a varied performance from Mark McCall’s men, exactly the kind of showing Munster fans might have hoped for.
Munster blunted
Herein, we lead on from that directly above. Munster’s chasing of the game was largely predictable and rarely involving passing and width until they were desperate. Although there were limited glimpses, Foley’s men actually looked at their most threatening when the ball was moved wider.
Felix Jones made one first-half break from deep wide on the left, while Andrew Conway surged down the right on an earlier occasion. Getting one-on-one attacking situations generally favoured Munster, but they created those chances too little.
Though Munster never enjoyed a true foothold in the Saracens’ 22, barring one early visit in the second half when Mako Vunipola won a superb turnover penalty and the Denis Hurley try, the issue of limited ambition with ball in hand reared its head again.
Where was JJ?
A moot point at this stage, but it was hard to understand why Munster didn’t send JJ Hanrahan into the game before the closing six minutes. Hurley did score a late try, but with Munster trailing so badly at half time, was there scope to bring in the Kerryman?
There were far greater collective issues for Foley’s men, and one player can’t decide a match, but surely Hanrahan’s creativity and line-breaking spark would have added something as Munster essentially chased the game from a very early stage?
Simon Zebo was a lone attacking spark on the left wing for Munster; would he have seen more touches with Hanrahan’s passing on in midfield?
The treatment of Hanrahan is disgraceful
Foley has been a fantastic servant for Munster but it’s just not working with him as head coach. At least I could see what Rob Penny was trying to do. Why was JJ brought on with only 5 minutes to go? Pointless stuff.
Explains why JJ want’s to leave.
What a brutal game
JJ would not have made a difference. Munster 1-5 were terrible. Gave the rest of the team no chance. Game ended with CJ’s injury.
Munster were near certainties to be killed in the scrum
Agreed. Saracens won this be strangling our back. POM and POC showed one of their worst days in a red shirt. Gutted by the performance.
One criticism for Foley is the slowness in reacting to Saracens dominance. Cronin and Casey just didn’t seem match fit. A lot of honesty needed by Munster and then the rebuilding can start again.
What did cj do exactly? Was on the back foot from the off behind that pack and with vunipola on fire he knew he was in for a bad day.. did he cry off i wonder?
You’re right. Cj should of summoned the strength of 8 men and pushed Sarries back himself.
goodbye axel
We were told 2 years ago that we had Dougie as brand ambassador courring high worth individuals to help with financial support. We haven’t heard a dickie re same. We are now management and squad threadbare and 2nd division in regards squads and peformances. Archer / Hurley/ williams/ Foley/ Walsh wouldn’t give you confidence going forward. Through in Garret Fitzgearld for good measure. I’d love to see a set of detailed financial accounts for the last 3 years. Where’s the spend !!
Hard to generate momentum when you lose a player of Murrays calibre in such a pivitol role. Compound that with Standers injury and lack of depth in the squad with no quality scrum half or back row cover. Williams a 2nd string league player at best. Hurley not a centre. Munster did nothing until after dust up and that was too late. Looked beaten after 20mins. As for JJ, once gone we will only have one quality half back. Doomed.
Let’s cut the s##t! Today was rubbish! Clean out the deadwood! Got bullied by Sarries! Tossed around like rag dolls! Was a big fan of Penny’s coaching ie Crusaders style. But what’s done is done! Up the jumper rugby is out the f##king gap! On other note, fair dues to JJ, backing himself to improve his game! Wouldn’t blame him one bit for going! All the best kid!
What’s the situation regarding finance for the IRFU’s involvement in this new competition? They were told double revenue I recall, has this come through? It clearly seems that budgets will win trophies. Surely the RCC realise that they are ruining the development of rugby with clubs taking all of the power? To make it fair, they may have to readjust their equal distribution to favour the Pro12 sides to prevent further financial widening. I’d also be calling on the IRFU to contact wealthy business men to invest, not have control, but rather to be key stakeholders.
The were told the same revenue as before.
The celtic unions were guaranteed at least the same budget as before. Should the overall revenue increase they will get more but it will be proportionately less then previously. The issue is that the English clubs salary cap is now about the same as the provinces IRFU budgets, so the English clubs are getting more competitive & are competing for signings more.
Don’t mind Pat Lam now lads, he is on his own journey here in the West…
A lot of exciting young players here and we want him to keep building….
People talk about Lam bringing in Muiliana whom we all love but it was his acquisition of Bundee Aki that was the real masterstroke….
Bad day today fir na Mumhan but ye are a proud province and write ye off at ur peril… ye are our 2nd province in the West, keep the faith : )
Signed up for BT sport today (only took 8 phone calls and a couple of hours on the UPC website). Must say the coverage made the defeat even worse….BOD seemed to find it hard to hide he Leinster credentials :)
Time to bring in Pat Lamb. A proven manager within one season in Connacht. Munster presently lifeless, boring & predictable. It’s sad but it’s time to move into the 21st century along with new management and ideas!!!
This is Lamb’s second season with Connacht and I wouldn’t see the appeal of going from a developing, exciting side to a team who’s previous success was much about strength rather than style, who are very much in decline.
Ha ha ha good one. Can’t see Pat Lam leaving a team on the up for one that’s in decline. With his smart signings and use of fantastic young academy players he’s here for a year or three more. Munster need a good clean out of staff and really need to reevaluate their academy, board and player signing. They should come up here to Connacht on a fact finding mission to see how things are done with limited budget. Munster could learn quite a bit from Connacht.
I do t usually do this but reading The Score has shown me what a pile of bitter weirdos Munster fans are so just this once I’m gonna be that smug Leinster man. Smoke me you poison-accented, talent hating (yes I mean JJ), chipped-shouldered lose bags ;)
Ah yes …. Your journey to complete imbecile continues unabated.
K you’re like a big r3tard3d dog that I poke with a stick. I love it!
You’re literally too stupid to engage with on any meaningful level. I suspect you were bullied at some stage of your life or are some sort of drop out who has a sh€t job / life. In lieu of this , you’ve taken to trolling as a means to empower yourself. Yes you are controlling this situation alright … I’m seething with anger. One suggestion…. Putting your real name to your trolling and calling people c@nts (as you have) etc is not something your employers would look favourably on so you should temper your language. Go on though … call me a loser or reta€d now. No more to be said to you really.
Would you like a hug?
Just so you know; me coming on here and taking the mickey out of munster fans wouldn’t cause you to seethe with rage like you do unless you were already extremely angry about something.
Hands off Pat Lam!
I’m as honest as you get kid! I’ll tell you straight! Munster were tossed around! Just shows you how much we’ve gone back in the last 5-6 years! It sickens me to see what direction we are going in but I’m not head coach! I’ve always said we need a few players like Ben taumifuna, Tim Nanai Williams and tj perenara! Eben Etzebeth would be welcomed too ha ha! But can see f##k all happening for a couple of years! I was in Clermont this year for the match and I’ll never forget seeing a 70 year old lady shouting at the top of her voice ‘ICI ICI C’EST MONTFERRAND’. If I want one team to win this year it’s Clermont! Best fans I’ve come across and with Lopez at 10 they have a right chance!
Best of luck to Leinster! I know Castres are struggling but great win! My father is from Westmeath and he is a big fan but trying to convert him to Munster is proving hard! With Johnny back they’ll be back to their best! I hope we keep Howard for another few years! I watched him playing in Newlands against FS Cheetahs a couple of years ago! Bags of talent! Sign up Nanai Willians! Also, Connaught keep doing what you’re doing! Great to see the West come alive! I love your style of rugby! Pat Lam is doing a right job up there! Drive on lads!
What were the possession stats, Murray? It seemed to me that Sarries pretty much owned the ball in the 2nd half (except for a brief period in the build up to Hurley’s try). If Munster could have won some more ball they would have reduced Saracen’s chances of scoring, while improving their own chances of putting points on the board. They actually showed glimpses of incision in possession. It would be worse if they were toothless off a lot of ball.
Some new centres might help, and this is where Munster need to be shrewd. Maybe Ashley Beck for 12 and Danny Barnes for 13?