RACING 27-22 MUNSTER
Munster’s dreams of reaching the Champions Cup final were mercilessly dashed by a rampant Racing 92 side in Bordeaux.
Teddy Thomas scored twice and set up an easy try for Maxime Machenaud as the French side burst out of the blocks to stun Munster.
Munster found themselves 21-3 down after 22 minutes with Virimi Vakatawa and Teddy Thomas doing most of the damage. Munster were getting hammered at the breakdown and were missing tackles all over the shop.
Thomas was teed up with a one-on-one with Alex Wootton out wide and danced around the Munster winger to make it 5-0. Machenaud converted before Ian Keatley’s penalty made it 7-3.
Racing brushed that off to go 14-3 up 90 seconds after Keatley’s penalty when Vakatawa left Conor Murray and Jean Kleyn for dead before teeing up Thomas. It got worse, soon after, as Thomas left Wootton and O’Mahony in his wake before, oddly, passing to Machenaud when he could have simply dotted down for his hat-trick.
Munster tried to get back into the game but their lineout – so often a strength – had also fallen apart and they were guilty of loose passes and rash decisions. Machenaud added a penalty after Stander was penalised. The scrum, their only positive of the first half, conceded a late penalty as the first half ended in depressing fashion.
The second half got off to a heated start as Murray got into a fracas with Marc Andreu and Vakawata. The Racing players play-acted but referee JP Doyle went for a penalty and no more. Machenaud knocked it over and Racing led 27-3.
Rhys Marshall, on for Niall Scannell, thought he was over for a try to spark a comeback but he was called back for running straight at Doyle to avoid getting tackled. Munster did get over, eventually, when Simon Zebo jinked passed a couple of swipes to give his team feint hope.
Marshall did get over for a try late in the game, with Hanrahan converting, and Conway got over in injury-time but they were wild flurries of Munster defiance after the battle had long been lost.
Here is how we rated the men in red:
Andrew Conway – 7
Gobbled up by a hungry Racing pack, and backs. Could do little about Racing’s second try. Was turned over near the Racing tryline by Machenaud. Nearly got over after a hack-on but Thomas was sweeping back. Made over 80 metres for his side and got the consolation, injury-time score.
Keith Earls – 6
Gave away an early penalty as he was too zealous to make an early impact. Kept going to the death and made some good darts and kick-chases after the break.
Sam Arnold – 7.5
Made some strong carries in a first half that few other high points. This lad does not lack for heart. Fought until the end and one of the few Munster players to emerge with credit from the loss.
Rory Scannell – 5
Not his day in any way, shape or form. Made little head-way with ball in hand, lost out in plenty of contacts and made a rash drop goal attempt that went left and wide. Only missed
Alex Wootton – 3
Missed far, far too many tackles. Thomas, his opposite number, had a field day against him. Missed four of seven tackles attempted and only made two carries.
Ian Keatley – 4
Poor game from the outhalf but his pack was reeling from the very first minute. Passing and kicking radar was not dialled in. Missed a kick at goal and had a drop goal charged down in a wretched first half for Munster.
Conor Murray – 7.5
Box-kicking was on point but he was guilty of some bad missed tackles. Conceded a penalty after the break and could have been sin-binned. Rallied superly in the second half and was the catalyst for a couple of Munster close calls and, with a well-timed pass, the Zebo try.
Dave Kilcoyne – 5.5
Won one impressive scrum penalty but was bounced back on a couple of carries.
Niall Scannell – 5
Lineouts went to pot in Bordeaux aside from one nicely worked set-play before the wheels fell off. Made 10 carries before the entire front row was replaced after 48 minutes.
Stephen Archer – 6
Another who won a scrum penalty but was out-worked by his opposite number, Ben Arous, in the loose. Came back on when John Ryan was dinged up.
Jean Kleyn – 6
Missed Vakawata before Thomas’ second try. Made a couple of forceful tackles and clear-outs but struggled to stem the Racing tide.
Billy Holland – 5
Somewhat lost in the maelstrom. Fought on gamely but was outgunned.
Peter O’Mahony – 5
Did well to claim one re-start but his much vaunted lineout dominance was nowhere to be seen. Held up over the Racing tryline just after the hour-mark.
Jack O’Donoghue – 5
Important to understand that he went into this game carrying an ankle injury but was another forward to find himself blown away.
CJ Stander – 6
Made 20+ carries but failed to have any big moments that rocked Racing on their heels. Conceded a silly penalty just before half-time.
Replacements
Rhys Marshall (for N Scannell ’44) – 7
Thought he had a try but the ref said ‘Non’.
James Cronin (for Kilcoyne ’44) – 7
Made some powerful carries when he came on.
John Ryan (for Archer ’44) – N/A
Came on and did not last long before heading back off for treatment.
Robin Copeland (for O’Donoghue ’53) – 6
Denied a try when Zebo’s pass was deemed forward. Made a nice break, late on, as Munster cut loose.
JJ Hanrahan (for Keatley ’53) – 5
Brought some spark. Missed a conversion with his only kick at goal. Threw a poor pass at Zebo’s feet late on.
Simon Zebo (for Wootton ’53) – 7
Made a couple of incisions. Got wrenched to the deck by Dan Carter at one stage. Scored a try in the corner (below) but was harshly called for a forward pass that denied a try for Copeland.
Munster never give up! 🔴
Simon Zebo finally crosses the line to give the Irish side a glimmer of hope. pic.twitter.com/rMTQMblRJR
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) April 22, 2018
Gerbrandt Grobler (for Kleyn ’60) – 6
Threw a gem of a skip pass and threw himself around a bit.
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