ULSTER COACH MARK ANSCOMBE praised the efforts of lesser lights Jared Payne, Nick Williams and Sean Doyle after his side clinched a 20-19 win over Munster at Ravenhill.
The New Zealander continues his perfect start to life at the province and his team have now beaten three of last season’s Pro 12 top four.
“You’ve got to be satisfied when you beat a side like Munster,” said Anscombe. He added:
We know there is a lot of work to be done but you’ve got to enjoy it when you beat a top class side.
“If you can’t enjoy it, you shouldn’t be in the game.”
Anscombe admitted that there was ‘not a moment’ in the game when he was not worried and he was quick to pay credit to some of the players that got him there.
Williams, a spilled pass aside, put in a great display against his former side while Doyle’s shift at openside drew reams of praise from the coach.
Speaking about man-of-the-match and try-scorer Payne, Anscombe commented, “Jared is fustrated because he hasn’t got the speed (that was lost after his Achilles injury) but that’s going to come.
“Every outing that he has had so far, with pre-season and three league games, he’s got better and better.”
Wrong side of the ledger
“I’m really proud of our boys. I thought they worked their hearts out. We didn’t play perfect rugby by any means but you can’t fault the endeavour.
“Obviously, in a tight match the results can go either way and it wasn’t on our side of the ledger today.”
Penney paid credit to Ulster for generating some line speed in defence and snuffing out the threat of a late Ronan O’Gara drop goal attempt that could have swung the tie their way.
The former Canterbury coach said he was never comfortable with the size of his team’s lead as ‘nine points can be absorbed pretty easily these days’. He added that he was “rapt” with the effort of his team, especially when they were reduced to 14 men midway through the second half.
Penney conceded that the graft needed to keep Ulster out during that period had perhaps led to his team running out of fuel in the closing stages.
He paid credit to the victors and dismissed concerns that the Munster scrum was struggling at scrum time.
“There are things that you can only learn on the footie track,” concluded Penney.
“We’ve got some young men and they are learning quickly.”
Great game could have just as easily been a munster win. As a munster fan I’m very encouraged by the start to the season certainly better than the doom and gloom last season. Some great young players coming through for us.
conor murray lost it for yee.
Wait til we get these guys down to Thomond Park – not great a 1 point win in Ulster!
Like last years QF ?
im a neutral. conor murray lost it for yee. he shouldnt get near the ireland squad. he’s not awareness and he cant dictate play. how did tomas o’leary leave? best sh in the country.
You might need to correct the third paragraph
I read it a fifth time before my brain finally clicked into gear.
if you wrote it at half time, I reckon Penny would have said that
delighted with the style of rugby penny has the team playing. taught before the season started munster may have to right it off as a year to rebuild. but the team is adapting quickly and showing some nice touches. still think it will be next year before pennys plan will be fully implemented. a one point loss to ulster in raven hill I’ll take that at this stage in the year. looking forward to getting em back to thomand and seeking revenge for that qf loss last year. #Irish by birth munster by the grace of god.
Conor Murrary is a young SH learning the game but he has been throwing into the Irish team way before he was ready. The result is the underdeveloped player we see today. A good young player should be allowed a season or two to come along and then when given his chance he has enough experience to grab it. nAs for Munster much better than last year but still 3rd best team in the country.
Get them to Thomond Park just like the Q- Final in Heineken Cup last season. Bitter Munster fan.
At least the atmosphere in Thomond Park will be civilised – not like that sh&te in Raginghlll !
I have watched matches Thomond park and saw Munster supporters abusing their own team. Civilised indeed ! 3rd best team in Ireland.
Sadly for Munster they now reside with Connaght as a handy number to play against. The old guard are gone, the lack of youth development is obvious.
Sad to see a once great side so one paced and declining
Sad for who? It gives me a good laugh. nI had to listen to the ladyboy stuff from the Munster mob for long enough.nThe once proud champions of europe now sit happy as the 3rd best team in the country. nIn all honesty I do hope Munster regain their mojo as irish rugby needs them but in the short term I’m laughing my ass off. nThe also need rog to guide Ian K not stand in his way nn
A bit confusing alright.