The Munster captain appreciated his efforts, but was keeping his head here.
The return to fitness of South African signings Chris Cloete and Jaco Taute have massively strengthened Munster’s options. To see both men featuring early in the 2018/19 season and Peter O’Mahony immediately hitting his stride are real bonuses for Johann van Graan and his coaching team.
All three featured in Munster’s 49-13 battering of Allen Clarke’s Ospreys on Friday, at Musgrave Park, and can be happy with their outings.
Taute came on in the second half and looked lively, O’Mahony made some great carries, hit rucks with fearsome impact and was a lineout beacon again. As for Cloete, very few were arguing when he was named man of the match.
In attack, he made six carries for 24 metres with a clean break thrown in there for good measure. He hit over 30 rucks and stuck nine of his 11 tackle attempts. He was a head-wreck for Ospreys at the breakdown all night and could not be contained.
Speaking to eir’s Mazzie Reilly after the game, Cloete declared, “We definitely stepped up our standard this week… in the first half, we did well. We kept it tight for most of the second half but got a bit loose near the end. It was a step up from last week’s performance.”
Tight, loose and everywhere in between, rugby fans were emphatic in their praise of the flanker.
Chris Cloete is an absolute freak. What a game he had tonight. Absolute weapon of a man. Delighted to have you back, Chris. #MUNvOSP
— doogie (@doogie_nights) September 14, 2018
https://twitter.com/Jack0NeiII/status/1040698179484889088
I just love the way Chris cloete plays the game. Wait an absolute bear of a gossin #MUNvOSP
— Micheál Bannon (@bigmanmick93) September 14, 2018
And man of the match goes to Chris Cloete – a huge performance from the @Munsterrugby man – he picks up his medal from Michael Lyons 👏#GUINNESSPRO14 #MUNvOSP pic.twitter.com/5iks5oqBHU
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) September 14, 2018
https://twitter.com/CiaraJunokeo/status/1040682060464222209
O’Mahony, in his chat with TG4’s Marcus Horan, had some words of praise for Cloete but it was not all sweetness and light.
“Chris, I thought he was superb today,” O’Mahony began.
“His ability to get over the ball is very impressive. But we’ll definitely have to work on some of Chris’ decision-making and timing. But, look, the guys made a huge impact.”
Never let it be said that a Munster captain allowed one of his teammates get carried away.
Captaen Peter O'Mahony ag labhairt le Marcus Horan. #RugbaiBEO@Munsterrugby 49 – 13 @ospreys pic.twitter.com/IkhdZ2YIiv
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) September 14, 2018
Cloete, like Munster, may have preferred a tougher test from the Welsh outfit but this was a good hit-out and it will stand them in good stead.
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