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Frenetic finish sees Ulster hold on for rare away win over Munster

By PA
(Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

A second-half comeback from Munster was not enough as provincial rivals Ulster edged them 15-14 in the URC to win at Thomond Park for the first time since May 2014. Dan McFarland’s men did all their scoring in the first half, James Hume tagging a late score onto maul tries from Jordi Murphy and Tom Stewart for a 15-3 lead.

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Munster had produced a disjointed performance up to that point, but they absorbed Malakai Fekitoa’s sin-binning and Jack Crowley took his tally to three penalties. Crucially, the post prevented the Munster fly-half from converting Shane Daly’s 66th-minute score and the hosts were unable to avoid their fifth successive interprovincial defeat – and third of the current season.

Murphy, a late inclusion for the injured Sean Reffell, rewarded Ulster’s early decision to go for the corner by scoring from a well-executed lineout drive. Crowley closed the gap to 5-3 with his first penalty, punishing Duane Vermeulen for an off-the-ball scuffle with Diarmuid Barron.

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However, the visitors’ maul found another defensive chink and Emerging Ireland hooker Stewart crashed over. The conversion proved too difficult again for Nathan Doak. Advancing from two breakdown steals by Edwin Edogbo, Munster’s lineout and handling unfortunately let them down inside the opposition 22.

Although David McCann was denied a try due to a Doak knock-on, he was soon the victim of a high tackle from Fekitoa which saw him sin-binned. Hume duly added a third unconverted try. Some hair-raising running from John Hodnett then saw Munster improve on the restart, as Crowley ate into the deficit.

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The Cork youngster made it a six-point game in the 54th minute, and Ulster went down to 14 men when replacement Cormac Izuchukwu saw yellow for preventing a quick tap. Simon Zebo made a big impact on his introduction, running hard out to the right where he flicked a pass over Stewart Moore to put Daly over in the right corner. Crowley’s conversion hit the woodwork.

Despite Munster stopping Ulster from mauling over during a frenetic finish, the home side’s hopes of creating a match-winning score were crushed by a Vermeulen penalty win at the breakdown.

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Trevor 2 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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Bull Shark 6 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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