MUNSTER BOSS RASSIE Erasmus was left lamenting late indiscipline from his side as they clung on for a 17 -17 draw with Castres in their opening Champions Cup pool match.
Ultimately, the southern province were not punished for the late errors as Benjamin Urdapilleta missed a penalty and late drop-goal to leave the sides deadlocked on full-time.
“In the last two or three minutes we definitely tried really hard to throw it away,” said Erasmus.
“So those last two or three minutes we are not really proud of. But ultimately, to come away with two points, it’s definitely not one we wanted, we definitely would have loved more. But when we start the week, it’s better to see two points on the board rather than zero.”
Erasmus is likely referring to incidents like Dave Kilcoyne’s dangerous entry into a late ruck, which was penalised, and Robin Copeland’s reach to disrupt Rory Kockott as he took the ball from a ruck in Munster’s 22.
Referee Matthew Carley settled on awarding a Castres scrum, apparently ruling that Copeland knocked on. And while Erasmus didn’t get a clear view of the incident, he feared a penalty if it was adjudged that Copeland made contact with the ball.
I was really nervous that it could have been a penalty. If he touches the arm, it is not a penalty. I didn’t see it (but) if he slaps the hand, there is no problem, but if he slaps the ball, we were lucky.”
All in all, the penalty count was fittingly left tied at 11 apiece. Before facing the late onslaught, Munster had shown themselves more than capable of forcing a win with an excellent day at the breakdown.
“If you took the last 10 minutes certainly relief would be a word I’d use,” said Peter O’Mahony.
“Over the 80 minutes we’d be disappointed to be honest with you. We put ourselves in a fight which is the number one thing to do when you come to places like Castres in France away from home in your first game of the European Cup and it’s always a difficult, difficult task and I’m delighted that with the two points.”
The 42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
