Erasmus admits Cardiff deserved to topple Munster

MUNSTER’S new Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus admitted Cardiff Blues were good value for their 24-23 defeat of Munster at Musgrave Park on Friday night.

A late Dan Fish try ensured Cardiff became only the second side in 15 fixtures to beat Munster at the Cork venue in the Pro12.

It was a disappointing way for Munster to begin their home fixtures in the league, following their opening weekend victory away to the Scarlets.

Afterwards Erasmus said: “I think they deserved it at the end.

“They really flooded our breakdown and when there were holes for us to pick from in attack, we didn’t get the ball back from the breakdown.

“Tactically, they played really smart. It was very, very disappointing, but they did probably deserve it more.

“In the beginning, when we were kicking it around the 10 metre lines, we were kicking really well. I think we struggled to get out of our ‘22 and that’s not pinned onto the guys kicking the ball.

“He was getting pressure from the defence charging down and we didn’t probably protect him enough.

“It’s a team effort and it’s not only the 10 or 9. We certainly struggled and I think two of the tries they scored were from poor executions out of our ‘22.”

Munster are waiting updates on injuries to Rory Scannell, Tommy O’Donnell and Dave Foley which forced the three players off during the course of Friday night’s game.