'Worst Munster team in living memory' - Irish fans react to Sharks loss

Irish rugby fans have been left to bemoan a worrying Munster capitulation in the Heineken Champions Cup, after they shipped a 50-point defeat at the hands of the Sharks at Kings Park Stadium in Durban.

The Sharks were admittedly very impressive as they dished up Munster 50-35 but the Irish side’s humiliating home URC defeat to Glasgow a week earlier has painted this latest loss in a less-than-flattering hue.

The Sharks started the game strongly with Curwin Bosch converting a penalty goal to give them an early 3-0 lead. However, Munster responded quickly as Shane Daly scored a try to put them ahead 5-3, with Jack Crowley converting to extend the lead to 7-3.

The Sharks regained the lead with a Jaden Hendrikse try in the 15th minute, converted by Bosch to make it 10-7. Eben Etzebeth added to the home team’s advantage with another try in the 24th minute, with Bosch converting to extend their lead to 17-7. Munster fought back with Dave Kilcoyne scoring a try in the 31st minute, converted by Crowley to reduce the deficit to 17-14.

Bongi Mbonambi then scored two quick tries for the Sharks in the 44th and 48th minutes respectively, with Bosch converting both to make it 29-14. Werner Kok added another try in the 53rd minute, with Bosch converting to extend their lead to 36-14. The Sharks continued to dominate as Bosch scored a try of his own in the 57th minute, converted by himself to make it 43-14.

Munster did manage to score a few consolation tries, with Diarmuid Barron scoring in the 60th minute, Mike Haley in the 68th minute, and Fineen Wycherley in the 77th minute. All three tries were converted by Crowley to make the scoreline more respectable at 50-35.

One Twitter account made a brilliant reference to the character of Mayor Larry Vaughan in Steven Spielberg’s 1975 blockbuster Jaws:

The worst defence against Sharks since… #SHAvMUN pic.twitter.com/CxolJCWw6p

— AllIrishSport (@AllIrishSport) April 1, 2023

Stephen Wall wrote: “Sad, wan, error-strewn performance from Munster. Swear this was a URC match and not a Heineken knockout one. Want to shake Munster and remind them of their pedigree in this competition.”

Sad, wan, error-strewn performance from Munster.

Swear this was a URC match and not a Heineken knockout one.

Want to shake Munster and remind them of their pedigree in this competition.#SHAvMUN

— Stephen Wall (@StephenWall1985) April 1, 2023

One fan summed it up brutally, writing: “Total humiliation for Munster.”

Total humiliation for Munster. #SHAvMUN

— Pat Allen (@lochgarman1798) April 1, 2023

“Massive couple of weeks for the Munster coaching staff after two poor performances. Need a result from at least one of them and they’re not easy games,” wrote another.

Massive couple of weeks for the Munster coaching staff after two poor performances. Need a result from at least one of them and they're not easy games #SHAvMUN #SUAF

— Ali Butler (@alibongo_butler) April 1, 2023

“This might be a little easier to take if it didn’t come straight after such a bad performance last week,” chipped in another worn-out supporter.

https://twitter.com/MurseBarry/status/1642154206902484993

Another fan alluded to the post-Six Nations Grand Slam celebrations, which apparently went on for four days, opining that: “This is the worst Munster team in living memory, captained by a guy who preferred to go off drinking with his Leinster mates last week rather than prepare properly for this game. A shambles.”

Others saw positives in the gloom, with one watcher finding solace in the performance of up-and-coming Irish flyhalf Jack Crowley: “The Munster backs have been dangerous with the ball today, it’s just that they’ve been obliterated in the forwards/at the breakdown and the defensive line has been poor. Lots of encouraging signs for the future from Crowley anyway.”