'I was very proud' - Simon Zebo praises Munster fans
Racing 92 star Simon Zebo has thanked Munster fans after receiving a warm reception at Thomond Park.
The game was Simon Zebo’s first outing against his native Munster since his move to Racing in summer 2018. Playing at full-back against his former team, the Corkman enjoyed the occasion and felt a draw was the right result.
Racing looked well placed to become only the second French club in 32 attempts to win a Champions Cup match in Limerick when leading 21-14 inside the final 10 minutes.
However, a late try from Munster winger Andrew Conway, superbly converted from the touchline by fly-half JJ Hanrahan, ensured the game finished tied.
Hanrahan, who kicked 11 points in all, even had the chance to sneak an unlikely victory for the hosts at the death, but his drop-goal attempt flew left and wide.
The impressive French side scored three converted tries through talismanic number 10 Finn Russell, Teddy Thomas and Juan Imhoff, only for Munster – whose lone try was run in by Keith Earls close to half-time – to fight back.
One more sleep ??? https://t.co/YNu7iojGkk
— Simon Zebo (@SimonZebo) November 22, 2019
The result marked the third year in a row that Munster have recorded a win and a draw in their opening two pool fixtures.
Both sides had to be satisfied with taking two points from the heavyweight clash before the back-to-back phase of Pool Four, with Munster locking horns with holders Saracens next month and Racing facing the winless Ospreys.
Having been warmly received by the home crowd, Zebo told BT Sport: “The reception was incredible, as always. The Munster fans are up there with the best in the world. To come back here and play in the Racing colours, I was very proud.
“It was a very close game, so probably a deserved draw. I think we were a bit sloppy at times, one or two exits getting out of our own half. It’s a very difficult place to come and be within such a grasp of winning the game. So we did ourselves proud – everyone gave 100 per cent.
“It was a huge result for us. The other teams in the group will find it difficult to come away from here with anything. So we’re happy with what we did. We can go back to Paris and be proud of ourselves.”
Munster head coach Johann Van Graan acknowledged the match could have gone either way after watching his side battle out a nail-biting 21-21 draw with Racing 92 at Thomond Park.
South African Van Graan said: “It was a very tough game of rugby, two heavyweight boxers who went at each other until literally the last second of the game.
“I thought Racing started pretty well, we came back, we had that chance when we were five metres short about 10 minutes before half-time. We scored on the stroke of half-time and I thought we played some very good rugby in the first half.
“There was a big breakdown battle, (we) fell behind in the second half, came back and I thought our bench made a big impact and we got ourselves back to 21-21 with that try and a brilliant conversion from JJ from the sideline.
“We fought back with an incredible kick from Earlsy to get that lineout and then to keep punching in a drop-goal position and unfortunately it went to the left. If that goes over, it’s a different ball game.
“All credit to Racing as well, I thought both teams came to play some very positive rugby. It is like last year’s draw in round one (against Exeter) – you could have lost it and you could have won it right there at the death. We will take our points and move on.”
PA
Comments on RugbyPass
The game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
21 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
12 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
12 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
5 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
5 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
37 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
37 Go to comments