Munster came from behind at half-time to secure a 30-21 bonus-point win over Benetton which secured a place in this season’s URC quarter-finals and next season’s Champions Cup.
Munster were 10-14 behind at the break with Jack Crowley securing all of the home side’s points in that opening 40 with a try, conversion and penalty. Three tries in the second half from Lee Barron, Thaakir Abrahams and Josh Wycherley secured the vital win.
It was a helter skelter opening 10 minutes with both sides enjoying periods of possession without either team threatening the scoreboard.
However, approaching the 15-minute mark, a superb break from Tom Farrell which was followed by strong carries from Diarmuid Kilgallen and Peter O’Mahony, brought Munster deep into the Benetton 22. A number of close range carries followed until the ball went out the back to Jack Crowley who crossed for the opening try. The Inishannon man converted his own try as Munster took a 7-0 lead.
Approach 20 minutes, Benetton began to look increasingly dangerous. The Italian side played from a scrum advantage which brought them deep into Munster territory where they earned another penalty. From the resulting lineout, O’Mahony almost got up and stole the ball before Benetton sent it wide for Rhyno Smith to score next to the posts which Jacob Umaga converted.
Munster hit back from the restart when a relentless kick-chase from O’Mahony and Thaakir Abrahams resulted in a breakdown penalty for Munster which Crowley kicked through the posts to put Munster back ahead.
This time Munster conceded a penalty from the restart but O’Mahony was able to rise highest to steal the ball from a dangerous Benetton lineout 5m from the Munster line.
Again, Benetton caused damage from a scrum. The move started with Umaga breaking through the Munster defence before he passed to Smith who had too much pace for the Munster defenders. The out-half converted the try he created to give Benetton a 10-14 lead with 10 minutes remaining in the first half.
Throughout the final 10 minutes of the first half, Munster couldn’t find a score as Benetton took a four-point lead into the break.
Munster got off to a positive start to the second half when the second of two lineout drives from 5m out resulted in Lee Barron getting over for his first Munster try. Crowley’s conversion went wide as Munster took a 15-14 lead.
Munster continued to dig in, a scrum for Benetton in the Munster half produced a huge effort from the men in red as they stuck in the fight until the ball was unplayable which resulted in a put in for the home side.
From this scrum, Crowley produced an inch-perfect crossfield kick for Kilgallen. The powerful winger then offloaded to Abrahams who had too much pace for the chasing Benetton defenders as he crossed in the corner. Casey, who took over the kicking duties from Crowley, nailed the touchline conversion to put Munster 22-14 in front.
Another good kick from Crowley into the Benetton 22 put the Italian side under pressure and an excellent tackle saw Josh Hodnett win a brilliant breakdown penalty. Casey kicked the three points to put Munster 25-14 in front.
O’Mahony and Archer were both then replaced to standing ovations from the Cork crowd.
Munster were in cup rugby mode as a Crowley’s dropgoal attempt went narrowly wide.
Benetton kept in the fight and they scored the next try when Bautista Bernasconi rumbled over. Umaga’s conversion put four points between the sides.
Munster got the bonus-point try seven minutes from time when the home side opted for the corner from a penalty which brought play just short of the Benetton line. On the next phase, Josh Wycherley powered over from close range. Casey’s conversion went just wide with Munster now 30-21 in front.
Umaga had a long-range penalty drift wide which would have brought it back to a one-score game and in the final moments after that, Munster saw out the victory.
URC Round 18 Round-Up
Craig Casey was awarded the BKT Player of the Match on what was his 100th appearance for Munster.
Lee Barron scored his first try for Munster.
Munster have qualified for the URC quarter-finals and next season’s Champions Cup.
Munster’s URC quarter-final opponents will be known after Saturday’s remaining fixtures.
Munster Rugby: Thaakir Abrahams; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Diarmuid Kilgallen; Jack Crowley (Murray 75′), Craig Casey; Michael Milne (Wycherley 55′), Niall Scannell (Lee Barron 33’HIA), Stephen Archer (Ryan 60′); Jean Kleyn (Wycherley 75′), Tadhg Beirne (C); Peter O’Mahony (54′), John Hodnett (Kendellen 55′), Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Lee Barron, Josh Wycherley, John Ryan, Fineen Wycherley, Tom Ahern, Conor Murray, Seán O’Brien, Alex Kendellen.
