Sean Farrell reports from Kingspan Stadium
IT WAS FAR from a Christmas cracker, and neither head coach was able to fully settle on a single over-riding emotion from a 19-12 home win to kick off the inter-pro season.
Ulster won out, but they missed out on a fourth try and fifth point despite being the side who kept their front-liners on the field clocking up minutes on the IRFU player management spreadsheet.
Munster, were it not for the absence of a red card in the opening seconds, may have felt the need to disguise a little of their joy after keeping the home side on such a tight leash.
“We’re disappointed we didn’t (win),” said Johann van Graan, “but I said to the group after the game that we really put our heart and souls into that one. the effort went in, and as a coach you can’t ask for more.”
His opposite number Dan McFarland also took note of Munster’s heart and soul, crediting the Jean Kleyn, Arno Botha and Conor Oliver led pack with out-muscling the home side and forcing them onto the back foot.
Ultimately, however, the extra quality at McFarland’s disposal paid dividends. The sheer presence of Rory Best made all the difference even before the Ireland captain contributed a clever carry and offload in the lead-up to a decisive second try.
“I was very impressed with Munster’s physicality in the first-half,” said McFarland, “they put us under a bit of pressure, hit our ball carriers and as a consequence it was a bit messy at the breakdown.”
Indeed, while Van Graan had reason to feel aggrieved over one refereeing decision, McFarland also had a bone to pick.
“I think Munster’s defence was better. I think they were intent on getting off the line as we expected.
They did a really good job of disrupting the breakdown, a lot of which was illegal, a few double dips at rucks, slowing us down. But that’s the way they needed to go.
“It took 40 minutes to change that up but fortunately we had a dominant maul. That was a weapon that when we were able to put into practice we made good use of it.”
The maul directly led to the opening and closing tries of the game from Rob Herring and Dave Shanahan. However, the incisive attacking on turnover ball that brought field position for the opener and created the second try for Robert Baloucoune was by far the most aesthetically pleasing element of a feisty inter-pro on a damp night in Belfast.
“James Hume made a really good impact when he came on,” said McFarland, with a nod to injury concerns for Kyle McCall, John Cooney and Louis Ludik after all three failed HIAs.
“Losing guys, moving them around, chopping and changing, that meant that even though we were playing at a high tempo, we weren’t able to cut loose. But that try was excellent. If he’s given a sniff he’s going to score.
Robert is going to be a really good player, he’s got pace, he’s strong, he’s really good under the high ball. The stuff he’s done with the sevens and in the Academy has really benefitted him.”
The point in defeat is a true bonus for Munster, who must have expected to face a more fierce backlash having thrashed the northern province 64-7 earlier this season. The head coaches may not have agreed on Sean Gallagher’s early call on the aerial tackle on Darren Sweetnam, but they both resolved to focus on the positive that was the defensive effort.
“There were a lot of errors from both sides,” agreed Van Graan while adding a caveat, “but there was pressure. That forces errors. Some of the hits that went in from both sides were really good.
“Conditions made the game a bit of a physical tussle… I think we had one or two opportunities in the red zone. We didn’t use them, Ulster used theirs.”
Bill Johnston did use his opportunity however, and his two penalties ensured Munster arrived home in the wee hours last night with a point on the board to show for their efforts.
“We were 10 behind with two minutes to go. Very proud of the guys to fight back and get that losing bonus.”
Murray Kinsella, Gavan Casey and Andy Dunne preview another big weekend of rugby action and dissect the week’s main talking points.
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Carty had a great game. The Connacht players looked absolutely gutted coming off at the end. It was a massive shift to put in. The RDS in the final 10mins was LOUD, seemed louder than the All Black’s game, in the terrace anyways. Heaving so it was. Frawley took some huge hits, especially that one from Aki (Ouch) but had a good game i thought, don’t think I seen him at full back before. Dave Kearney had a mixed game but I felt he stood up as a bit of a leader in the final quarter. Max Deegan did a good job when he came on.
@SPQH: I think the whole of the RDS felt that hit by Aki on Frawley, fair play to him for just jumping straight back up. He can also play centre so a great guy to have on the team.
Jaysus they deserved the win but what a game.
As a connacht fan, we only have ourselves to blame. Our defence I thought was too passive on the gainline. Its been the same all season, with a lack of agression, you give away allot of linebreaks and you’re always scrambling. Thats three we’ve lost in the last ten with poor defending when we should be closing it out. Glasgow, Ospreys and now Leinster. A 6-5 record should be a 9-2, and defeats will probably cost us a play off spot. Amazingly, for a team.who won the pro12, we lack the certainty of confidence that Leinster, Scarlets and Glasgow have.
But fair play to Leinster, their handling was exceptional in the last ten, and they took it from us, rather than us throwing it away even though our composure was awful. Thought Adam Byrne was awesome all game. Connacht have to learn to play for 80, similar to Ireland after the 2013 to the all blacks.
I thought Adam Byrne had a savage game. He always looks for the offload.
Underrated player.
Gutted 4 Connaught they just seemed to run out of petrol.
@Gerald Long: Diesel in the wesht lad
Subs made the difference.
its a f*****g hard one to take!!
Once Leinster brought out the 2nds to replace the 3rds it was all over.