Gritty Munster Rugby prevail in 'Clash of Champions' with Crusaders at Páirc Uí Chaoimh

A RESILIENT Munster Rugby side made it two wins from two against major touring sides at Páirc Uí Chaoimh in the space of 14 months when edging past the Crusaders, from New Zealand, 21-19, in front of a sold-out attendance of 40,885.

The sides shared six tries evenly in a fixture dubbed the 'Clash of Champions' as the BKT United Rugby title holders Munster defeated the Super Rugby champions.

The Crusaders might have snatched a share of the spoils at the death. However, Rivez Reihana's last gasp conversion attempt off Jamie Hannah's late try flew left and wide, much to the delight of the home supporters.

Munster had created history in November 2022 when hosting the first ever rugby game at the Cork GAA venue with the sell-out event against South Africa ‘A’ also producing a victory for the home side.  

As the goal posts in Páirc Uí Chaoimh are not fit for purpose for a rugby game, the goal posts were removed from Thomond Park and transported to the Cork venue earier this week to be utilised for the game.

Alex Kendellen captained a youthful Munster XV for the first time with Academy trio Ethan Coughlan, Shay McCarthy and Ruadhán Quinn all starting.

It was Quinn’s first start for Munster after becoming the province’s youngest player in the professional era at the age of 18 last season.

The sold-out attendance was treated to a Haka from the visiting Crusaders players, now coached by former Munster head coach Rob Penney before kick-off, the spectacle lifting the atmosphere even further.

After a lively opening to the historic first meeting between the sides, Munster took the lead on 14 minutes when Gavin Coombes, operating in the engine room was driven over the tryline from close range. The opening was created by a fine break from Limerick winger Shay McCarthy.

Joey Carbery's successful conversion, on his first start for the province since October after returning from a wrist injury last month, pushed the home side's advantage out to 7-0.

The Munster supporters thought their side had quickly added a second try when neat footwork from half-backs Coughlan and Carbery created an opening which eventually saw Shane Daly scampered over the tryline. However, the TMO ruled that the ball had not been touched down.

Munster continued to increase the pressure on their opponents and a second try followed in the 34th minute. It was reward for Munster's attacking endeavour and willingness to put the ball through the hands. 

The home side's cause was helped by the yellow carding of Crusaders second row and captain Quinten Strange after he slapped the ball out of the hand of Munster's lively scrum-half Coughlan

However, the second try was again scored from close range and once more it was Coombes getting driven over from close range. Carbery added the extras to make it 14-0.

The Crusaders then provided the first real evidence of their attacking threat three minutes before half-time and it yielded a try. Free-running wingers Chay Fihaki and Macca Springer combined to create the opening, before centre Dallas McLeod put scrum-half racing clear to score.

Taha Kemara's successful conversion halved Munster's advantage to seven points, 14-7, at the mid-point in the fixture. 

Munster began the second half displaying their enterprising approach of keeping the ball in hand as much as possible and the capacity crowd appreciated the approach on a chilly evening. 

However, when Munster were unable to add to their points tally in that third quarter, the Crusaders hit them with a sucker punch as centre Dallas McLeod took advantage of some slack defending to score in the left corner.

Replacement Rivez Reihana then nailed the conversion superbly from the sideline to tie the scores at 14-14.

Parity didnlt last long, however, as a resilient Munster side marched downfield and struck for their third try through replacement hooker Scott Buckley on the 70th minute.

Carbery completed a hat-trick of successful conversions to make it 21-14 when landing the straight forward kick at goal.

Former Glenstal Abbey player Colm Hogan, who has lined out for Garryowen FC in the All-Ireland League this season, came on to make his Munster debut as the clock ticked onto the final 10 minutes of the contest.

The Crusaders pushed hard to earn a share of the spoils and with the clock in the red, replacement Jamie Hannah powered his way over the tryline from a well-executed maul, to reduce Munster's advantage to just two points, 21-19.

However, Reihana's conversion attempt, which would have tied the scores, flew left and wide much to the relief of the home supporters. 

It's back to the URC for Munster on Friday week, February 16 when taking on the Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets, 7.35pm, live on TG4.

SCORERS: Munster Rugby: Gavin Coombes 2 tries, Scott Buckley try, Joey Carbery three cons. Crusaders: Mitch Drummond, Dallas McLeod, Jamie Hannah try each, Taha Kemara con, Rivez Reihana con.

MUNSTER RUGBY: Shane Daly; Seán O’Brien, Antoine Frisch, Alex Nankivell, Shay McCarthy; Joey Carbery, Ethan Coughlan; Josh Wycherley, Eoghan Clarke, Stephen Archer; Gavin Coombes, Fineen Wycherley; Ruadhán Quinn, Alex Kendellen (C), Jack O’Sullivan. Replacements: Scott Buckley for Clarke, John Ryan for Archer (50 mins), Neil Cronin for Coughlan, Rory Scannell for Nankivell (55 mins), Tony Butler for McCarthy (65 mins), Mark Donnelly for Josh Wycherley (69 mins), Jack Daly for Quinn (71 mins), Colm Hogan for O'Brien (76 mins), Kamil Nowak for Fineen Wycherley (77 mins), Daniel Okeke for O'Sullivan (79 mins). 

CRUSADERS: Leigh Halfpennny; Chay Fihaki, Levi Aumua, Dallas McLeod, Macca Springer; Taha Kemara, Mitch Drummond; George Bower, George Bell, Owen Franks; Quinten Strange (C), Tahlor Cahill; Dominic Gardiner, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace. Replacements: Ioane Moananu, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Seb Calder, Jamie Hannah, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Ryan Crotty, Josh Southall, Heremaia Murray.

REFEREE: Chris Busby (IRFU)