Cardiff Blues 24
Munster 28
ANTHONY FOLEY’S SIDE had to wait until the 77th minute to score their only try of the game but it proved the defining moment.
Paddy Butler popped up with the late, late five-pointer before Johnny Holland added the conversion to ensure a 28-24 victory for Munster at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park.
The guests enjoyed the better of the first-half, heading into the break 18-14 in front after an unerring kicking display from JJ Hanrahan who scored six penalties. But, Cardiff did grab a try through debutant Lucas Amorosino after some good work by Rhys Patchell. and could’ve had the half-time lead had it not been for Patchell subsequently missing two penalties.
After an impressive start to the second period, Cardiff did go in front on 62 minutes when Manoa Vosawai did brilliantly to power his way over the line. Gareth Davies knocked over the extra points, having taken over the kicking duties from the injured Patchell earlier in the half.
But Hanrahan was relentlessly impressive and drew Munster level at 21-21 with his seventh penalty on 68 minutes. But shortly after, Davies pushed Cardiff into the lead with a penalty of his own and, with six minutes to go, Munster needed a late rally.
It seemed that their chance had gone when Johnny Holland (who came in for Hanrahan) kicked for the corner but CJ Stander knocked on and a glorious opportunity was spurned.
But to their credit, Munster kept up the fight and Stander popped up to feed Butler, who broke through for the critical score.
Cardiff Blues scorers:Tries: L Amorosino, M Vosawai
Conversions: G Davies
Penalties: R Patchell [3], G Davies [1]
Munster scorers:
Try: P Butler
Conversion: J Holland
Penalties: JJ Hanrahan [7]
CARDIFF BLUES: Rhys Patchell (Dan Fish, ’51); Richard Smith, Adam Thomas, Gavin Evans, Lucas Amorosino; Gareth Davies, Lloyd Williams (Lewis Jones, ’74); Sam Hobbs, Matthew Rees (capt) (Kristian Dacey, ’57), Adam Jones; Jarrad Hoeata (Macauley Cook, ’61), Filo Paulo; Josh Turnbull, Josh Navidi (Ellis Jenkins, ’74), Manoa Vosawai.
MUNSTER: Johne Murphy; Andrew Conway (Barry O’Mahony, ’59), Andrew Smith, Rory Scannell, Gerhard van den Heever; JJ Hanrahan (Johnny Holland, ’74), Duncan Williams (Cathal Sheridan, ’59); John Ryan, Kevin O’Byrne (Eusebio Guinazu, ’51), BJ Botha (Stephen Archer, ’65); Donncha O’Callaghan (c), Billy Holland; CJ Stander, Paddy ButleR, Robin Copeland.
Referee: Marius Mitrea (Italy)
Robin Copeland was superb, he was unlucky to miss out on the irish squad and really challenge heaslip for the number eight shirt
Fine player and prospect even tho he’s no spring chick but he won’t get in ahead of Jamie yet unless he is starting at 8 consistently for Munster when they have their full strength squad
He hasn’t played enough to convince Schmidt, Noah. Had he more than just 2-3 games, he’d certainly be training with Ireland right about now. But Munster have to accommodate Stander because O’Mahony and O’Donnell have pretty much locked those places down in the back row.
Aye said put pressure on him, if heaslip is fit he’ll have 8 nailed on but squad depth is everything and it’s inevitable that injuries will occur before the world cup and if one of them is heaslip it would be great to have quality back up.
Heaslip seems to be bullet proof. Is he ever injured??
Born October 23 and was the ripe OLD AGE OF 27 this last week !
Conditioning at its finest.
What about 23 year old Butler? Nothing is locked down
Why wasn’t there a live feed for this game ?
Rugby coverage is a joke tonight, anyway how lucky were munster tonight, how Billy Holland is a professional rugby player is beyond me!
It has to be said, Butlers try was a thing of beauty..
How did duncan williams become a professional rugby player….was it collect 20 crisp packets and get a professional munster rugby contract
Didn’t think D Williams was that that bad tonight he was was far from the worst Munster player on the field anyway
Stole a ball with a rip at a crucial time. Hero…. ran the ball into touch instead of box kicking to safety. They score from line out. Zero.
Most frustrating player…. ever.
Williams has a pass. It’s the head that just needs work. His been on the fringes for years. Look how much Murray came on in that time.
Murray was 20. DW isn’t….
Olding has scored two tries for Ulster at fullback. The lad is on fire.
Ronan O’Mahony not Barry replaced Conway
A brave and faithful performance until that bell,the final bell
Quinlans commentary is brutal,i wanted to burst my eardrums listening to him saying outstanding over and over and over.
That commentator from Northern Ireland is also very irritating.
Mark Robson
No. Mark Robson is one of the most illuminating and entertaining commentators ever to grace the TV screens. Often brings out unnecessary facts, yes, but justifies exactly why they’re worth mentioning.
mark Robsons commentary is totes amazballs
23-6 to Ulster. D.Fitz scored their third try.