Fast start from Sharks left Graham Rowntree’s side dead in the water as they slip to three consecutive defeats
Sharks 41 Munster 24
Munster came into today’s game against The Sharks looking to snap their two game losing streak. Their South African opponents had won just twice in their previous five fixtures, although their last outing was a 28-24 victory against the Glasgow Warriors.
The Red Army were off the pace in their long-distance clash, with an electric opening from The Sharks setting the tone for a game where Munster were unable to mount much of a challenge.
The Sharks smelled blood in the water from the opening whistle, with Aphelele Fassi grabbing himself a try inside the first minute. Grant Williams burst through the Munster defence and Fassi finished the move off, with Jordan Hendrikse duly converting.
They doubled their try tally before five minutes had even played out, Andre Esterhuizen had a nice break down the left and offloaded. Makazole Mapimpi then stumbled his way over the try line before Hendrikse went two for two on his conversion attempts.
Munster’s Tadhg Beirne almost responded with pressure down the Irish province’s left, but was held up on the line by some good Sharks defending. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say Munster looked off the pace in the opening 10 minutes, with the Durban based side blitzing them early on.
Ill discipline was also a feature for Munster – seeing them punished with a central penalty sailing between the posts, courtesy of Hendrikse.
Mapimpi continued to cause Munster problems down the Sharks left, the home side still comfortable approaching the end of the games first quarter. That comfort was threatened a bit – a turnover out of a Sharks ruck allowed Tom Ahern to roll over the line – but Jack Crowley was unable to convert.
It was restored not even five minutes later by last year’s European Challenge Cup winners. Fassi’s kick down Sharks’ left hand side bounced well and Williams burst through the middle, allowing Hendrikse to make it a 19 point lead after 25 minutes.
Just after the half-hour mark, Munster did break through the resolute Sharks defence with Mike Haley. He shuffled to his left down the right wing of Munster to get over the try line, with a good run from Calvin Nash opening up the space just prior to that.
Unfortunately, Crowley’s conversion once again went a-begging.
Esterhuizen joined in on the try-scoring antics to move The Sharks into bonus point territory. A penalty scrum was punished as Williams moved the ball right and Esterhuizen drove through, Hendrikse’s fifth kick – and fourth conversion – was as good as his previous four as well.
The try sent the home side into the break well ahead, Munster trailing by 21 points with the second half to play.
It was The Sharks again who hit the front in the second period, a Jordan Hendrikse penalty kick adding three on to his team’s tally. With just over half an hour of play left, the hosts led by 24.
Munster went in search of their third try and Craig Casey almost burst through but the visitors were held up on the line. However, Sharks were showing signs of struggling with discipline earlier and came very much to the fore afterwards.
They earned themselves a yellow card on the play, with another advantage going Munster’s way after the restart. They tried their best to use it to their advantage, but once more were held up by the resilient South African side.
Munster were unable to take advantage of the sin-bin. Vincent Tshituka’s seventh career try then extended the lead, Hendrikse’s conversion followed for a 31 point advantage.
Munster did eventually add a nice try to their comparatively measly tally, but it was a score of real quality. Ethan Coughlan made great ground from an interception down Munster’s left, with a switch of wings allowing Calvin Nash to break through. Billy Burns then made it the first converted try for Munster.
Beirne’s late try did little to change the outcome, but it did earn Munster a bonus point as Burns converted to end the contest. The 17 point defeat is Munster’s third in as many games.
Player of the Match: Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks)
Munster: Mike Haley, Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Rory Scannell, Seán O’Brien, Jack Crowley, Craig Casey, Jack O’Donoghue, John Hodnett, Tom Ahern, Tadhg Beirne (C), Jean Kleyn, Stephen Archer, Niall Scannell, John Ryan
Replacements: Fineen Wycherley and Ruadhan Quinn for Jean Kleyn and Tom Ahern (49′), Diarmuid Barron and Alex Kendellen for Niall Scannell and John Hodnett (51′), Billy Burns, Kieran Ryan and Ethan Coughlan for Rory Scannell, Stephen Archer and Craig Casey (68′), Ronan Foxe for John Ryan (72′)
The Sharks: Aphelele Fassi, Eduan Keyter, Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Makazole Mapimpi, Jordan Hendrikse, Grant Williams, Siya Kolisi, Vincent Tshituka, James Venter, Emile van Heerden, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche
Replacements: Jason Jenkins for Emile van Heerden (49′), Jaden Hendrikse and Francois Venter for Andre Esterhuizen and Grant Williams (59′), Fezokuhle Mbatha and Ntuthoko Mchunu for Bongi Mbonambi and Ox Nche (62′) Phepsi Buthelezi for Siya Kolisi (68′), Siya Masuku for Jordan Hendrikse (72′)