Murray Kinsella reports from Thomond Park
MUNSTER DELIVERED IN front of a record crowd of 26,200 at Thomond Park this evening, although Leinster’s challenge proved to be a little disappointing in this inter-provincial fixture.
Rassie Erasmus, Munster’s director of rugby, was far from getting carried away by his team’s 29-17 win, but he took satisfaction from watching his players provide their supporters with plenty to be cheerful about.
“Grateful is the first word that comes to mind, and then honour,” said Erasmus when asked about playing in front of a new record crowd.
“We wouldn’t like to say it’s expectations on our shoulders but I think it’s about pride and opportunity when you get a crowd like that.
“There was even a lot of Leinster supporters you could hear today, so credit to Irish rugby, the whole build-up. Matches like this make it special and then when you get two teams with 30 players going out there and putting it up to one another physically and tactically, it makes for a great match.
“It was not perfect, but it was a good spectacle.”
Tries from Simon Zebo, Ronan O’Mahony, Tommy O’Donnell and CJ Stander ensured a bonus point for Munster, lifting them five points clear at the top of the Guinness Pro12 table.
Erasmus is aware of the challenge of backing this performance up in five days’ time away to Connacht in Galway – when he will be missing the likes of Conor Murray, Zebo and Stander due to the IRFU’s player management programme – but he is enthusiastic about where this squad is moving collectively.
Last season saw Munster suffering when big moments in games went against them, but the South African boss saw his side’s reaction to going 7-0 behind to a Zane Kirchner try in the first half as the latest example of a shift in mindset.
On a night when Leinster paid tribute to Anthony Foley, Erasmus pinpointed Munster’s growing resilience as a source of pride.
“There were so many ups and downs that the guys told me about from last year, and obviously Axel had told me so much about bad calls going against us and we didn’t handle it well,” said Erasmus.
“Me and Axel were always chatting about how we could handle those moments, put them behind us and move on, and go into the next battle. We always talked about Axel’s legend and the things he would leave behind here and those were the things we kept on talking about.
“If something bad happens, move on, get into the next battle. Those are the small things that make us proud.
“We by no means think it was a performance that will win us the league, but it was definitely a gutsy performance to come back.”
Stander was man of the match yet again for Munster, although South African lock Jean Kleyn was another contender for the award after an abrasive and aggressive display alongside Donnacha Ryan.
The former Stormers and Western Province second row hasn’t had the most ideal time in his opening months with Munster, but looks like a highly promising player.
“When he came in, he took some time to settle and then after he got one or two games under his belt he got injured and was out for eight or nine weeks,” said Erasmus. “Then the other guys go eight or nine weeks ahead of you, and you have to catch up and get match fitness.
“I think the way Jerry [Flannery] has slowly gelled himself into the lineouts, into the mauling, into the scrummaging, and building up confidence.
“To give him a start against Leinster at home; I think the more you experience those things, the more you become a Munster man, because these are the moments you really understand what it’s about to play for Munster.
“It was a good time to put him into the mix, but we’ve got Dave Foley, Darren O’Shea, Billy Holland, Donnacha Ryan, so hopefully we can manage them over the next few weeks to hopefully get the best out of all of them.”
Meanwhile, Erasmus confirmed that Darren Sweetnam had sustained a knee injury in the off-the-ball hit of Kirchner as Ronan O’Mahony scored his try.
Sweetnam was forced off injured as a result, with Andrew Conway taking his place at half time.
“It doesn’t look too serious, so hopefully it isn’t,” said Erasmus. “Yes, it was in that tackle.”
Referee Nigel Owens reviewed the incident with his TMO at the time, but did not deem Kirchner’s actions worthy of sanction.
“I’m just unhappy that he got injured when he didn’t carry the ball or tackle or have the ball,” said Erasmus. “That I’m unhappy about, but hopefully he’s not too bad.”
