The Bulls just snatch it in a game-full of errors
- Updated: 19/04/2025
Munster, 13 Bulls 16
The Bulls’ coaching staff must have been fuming at the break. They had most of the play but continued to try and out-muscle a very efficient Munster defence. The second half started with Munster forcing their way to five metres from the Bull’s try line but they failed to learn of the last week and once again they were robbed. A scrum on their opponents’ ten metre was turned over and this led to a penalty in front of the posts which Johan Goosen kicked with ease to put his side 10-13 after 50 minutes. The lead did not last long with Jack Crowley levelling it again with a penalty kick. Close the last quarter Munster had to resort to the four-man lineout once again as this game edged into the world record for rugby aerial kicks. As another barrage of kicks filled the air, the Bulls were awarded a penalty but it went wide of the Ballynanty side posts.
With eight minuters remaining it was still anybody’s game. This one was on the stand side and Keagan Johannes made no mistake to push his side three points ahead going into the las seven minutes. Munster were gifted a last chance when the ball was kicked dead by the Bulls full back but time ran out for the gallant h9me side.
The first chance of the game came on the 8th minute and Jack Crowley accepted it, slottingoover a penalty from 40 metres out to lut his side three points to the good. The bulls launched an attack after that and after patient possession Marcell Coetzee, forced his way over with Johan Goosen adding the extras. The visitors’ had the upper hand at scrum and maul time coming up to the first quarter with Munster defending stubbornally but on 22 minutes they went further behind when Johan Goosen again split the posts to push the Bulls 10 and Munster three on 22 minutes.
The home side got into a try scoring for the first time on 27 minutes. Crowley pumped a penalty kick into the 22 but not for the first time in recent days, Munster lost their lineout throw. With both sides relying on aerial bombardment, this game was anything but entertaining but six minutes before half time Cxrowley set up a try chance when he found touch with a penalty kick. Lengthy and patient rucks, drives and penalty awards later Munster levelled the game when Thaakir Abrahams touched down far out at the Ballynanty end and Crowley was accurate with the conversion.
Munster Rugby: Thaakir Abrahams; Seán O’Brien, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Andrew Smith; Jack Crowley, Conor Murray Josh Wycherley, Niall Scannell, Oli Jager; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne (C); Tom Ahern, Peter O’Mahony, Alex Kendellen.
Replacements: Lee Barron, Mark Donnelly, Stephen Archer, Fineen Wycherley, Jack O’Donoghue, Conor Paddy Patterson, Diarmuid Kilgallen, Ruadhán Quinn.
Bulls: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Canan Moodie, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Jannes Kirsten, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Ruan Nortje (captain), 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Jan-hendrik Wessels.
Replacements: 16 Johann Grobbelaar, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 JF van Heerden, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Izak Burger, 22 Keagan Johannes, 23 Stravino Jacobs.
Munster:
You must be logged in to post a comment Login