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Crusaders come up short against Munster after final kick jeered by crowd
By Ben Smith
In a battle between the two hemisphere club champions, the Crusaders have gone down to Munster 21-19 after a missed conversion from a late try failed to level proceedings at Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork.
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The first Crusaders game without Scott Robertson in eight years, the Crusaders went within a whisker of a draw when lock Jamie Hannah crashed over after a lineout maul three minutes into extra time.
Young flyhalf Rivez Reihana had the chance to snatch a draw with the conversion but his attempt sailed across the face of the posts from the right sideline, much to the delight of the home crowd. Whistles and jeers were sent towards Reihana as he moved in to strike the ball.
Both sides were missing a number of top line stars, Munster through injury and Six Nations duty, while the Crusaders opted to rest seven All Blacks including Codie Taylor, David Havili, Scott Barrett, Ethan Blackadder, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan and Joe Moody.
Former Wales fullback Leigh Halfpenny made his Crusaders debut at fullback, while former All Black centre Ryan Crotty made his return to his old club.
Munster jumped out to a 14-0 lead early on the back of two tries to lock Gavin Coombes crashing over from close range, both converted by Kiwi-born flyhalf Joey Carbery.
Captain Quinten Strange was sin-binned after one too many team indiscretions when he went off feet at a ruck, leading to the possession for Coombes’ second try scored in similar fashion to his first.
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The Crusaders struck just before half-time after a left-side break by Springer was finished inside by veteran Mitch Drummond. Kemara’s conversion kept the visitors within seven.
Last year’s capped All Black Dallas McLeod exploded in the final quarter with a brilliant solo run, scything through two defenders before using his strength to hold off the fullback and score with an acrobatic finish in the corner.
Reserve flyhalf Rivez Reihana slotted the sideline conversion to bring scores level at 14-all.
With 10 minutes remaining Munster hit again with their third pick-and-go try of the night through hooker Scott Buckley and Carbery nailed the extras.
The Crusaders looked dead before a final possession well into injury time saw Hannah find a try, but the crowd was successful in throwing Reihana off his final kick.
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Bula Pecos you Can’terbury meatball
MEATBALL (noun): sports fan who irrationally supports a chosen team. characterized by short sighted thinking and frequent overreaction.
Bula vanaka
Pecos Can’terbury lost
Could the headline not be any more bitter from the self proclaimed moral authority of Rugby? This rubbish article is the worst load of crap, after a great few days of having the Crusaders in Cork and a great evening of rugby and enjoyment.
Mentioning Cadbury as Kiwi born trying to imply he went through the NZ system and not born to Irish parents and grew up in Ireland and went through the Irish/Leinster system. Classic
How do the three words used “Kiwi born flyhalf” imply your inference? Answer. They don’t. Classic nonsense.
Easy to see the clowns writing this clap trap didn’t attend the game anyway. There was a minimal amount of booing. If that’s enough to put off a professional rugby player then get off the field. But it’s prob a shock to alot of Nz player to get more than 2
30k at a club match.
His run up, technique and everything was dreadful. In short he bottled a conversion in front of the posts. Something nz like to throw at Irish teams.
Getting 30,000 to a club match in the UK & Ireland is rare too. The URC crowd average in 2023 was 10,818. To compare, the Gallagher Premiership crowd average was 13,395. And I think the only time this Park was sold out for rugby recently was 41,000 v South Africa A. And now by a preseason match v Crusaders D team.
You'd think with a UK & Irish population of 72 million, average crowd attendances at club matches would be higher wouldn’t you?
Do Kiwis do nothing but always complain about referees?
Both sides were missing most of their team. Munster were without all players currently in the Irish squad (ie current in form players) and many also rested. Very few on that team would start an important URC match (munster are not doing well in URC).
Ccrusaders missing all blacks players (who might make an AB squad again). They also took an opportunity to blood new players.
Look at this for what it is, a game for new players to bond and get a great experience. Not to always take a biased pot shot at referees. It’s getting so tired on this platform. Have Kiwis ever had a good referee ??
Only when the Kiwis have won, but that means over 70% of referees are good.
Probably the same referee that they criticise when they lose.
Every nation has moaners about refs. Enough of the self righteous claptrap. Who cares? It’s just more hot air this time. But yes, far too many people hyping this game up out of context (on both sides). It’s just a preseason hitout.
Ahhh the noble and honourable Munster crowds we hear so much poppycock about. Hope they enjoyed wasting their money on a pointless match
Close the door on yer way out ya 🤡 where do you watch yer rugby? On tv?
It's an ironic comment coming from a SH “supporter” - famous for never showing up for any rugby matches. You’re all too cheap & thick to understand the sport anyway. So no great loss!
I’d imagine bringing a team over to limerick from NZ cost money too. These games are as pointless as you want them to be. Long way to travel if its pointless. I’m not from munster, but I would have thought any rugby fan would like to see crowds come out in numbers. Support is just that, support in good and bad times. The empty stadiums for much of the NZ rugby competitions incl super rugby is not good for the game. It seems supporters now mean “anonymous critics from armchairs on social media”
Rreally positive contribution.
Another poor SH showing - as always. Amazing what happens when the refs aren’t incompetent - the better team wins!
Enjoy the moaning by the bitter Kiwis though. A day of sunshine.
You need to forgive whoever hurt you little man. Thoughts & prayers.
What a great way to blood new players, bond a squad, & play in front of a great crowd.
And who cares if some in the crowd “jeered” the kick, Reihana blew this easy kick all by himself. As long as he learns. So calm down. It was a preseason hitout, nothing more, nothing less.
I hope this becomes an annual thing tbh.
was a terrible game the ref was trash hense why hes not a world rugby ref highly biased urc team mid way through their season could only beat a team not even started yet with zero internationals new coach and not even a winning coach too that just shows how terrible the urc is
I think you’ll find all of munster's internationals were beating France the night before away in France to solidify their world ranking ahead of New Zealand in 2nd place. Sore in defeat and even worse in victory
Munster currently sitting 11th on the URC log.
That was a depleted Munster team that not only beat but lead the Crusaders on the scoreboard for the full 80 minutes.
Now people will have a better understanding of the quality of the URC and where Super Rugby sits in the sum of things.
What a load of nonsense. You’re kidding, right?
The URC is in its 9th round & this was our 1st preseason hitout with a D team of rookies & new combos. I expected Munster to blast us but they barely competed. Not to mention the Crusaders left 10 All Blacks behind, all fit, & five other players in cotton wool.
For context, I can’t remember when we last actually won a preseason game.
Nice balanced comment. I'll help out. Crusaders’ first hit out of the season. Playing in Ireland, ie: not at home. Not playing their ABs. New coach. Still Leinster then daylight to the next best club in Ireland.
With both teams missing most of their regular starting XV, I don’t think you can read much more into this game than an entertaining 80 mins.
Sounds like a great result for the fans who turned out to watch it, with the players giving it some real meaning even though it’s obviously not a true phantom clash of the titans.
A great way to water the appetite for a world club superbowl or competition?