Johann van Graan’s side did just about enough to claim the bonus point over the bottom placed Italian side with a 31-12 win which sees them keep pace with the Glasgow Warriors who also picked up five match points in their clash with the Cheetahs.
Munster suffered a torrid opening half with saw them cough up two poor tries and saw bottom side Zebre with dominate territory and possession.
The Italians opened the Munster defence in the 9th minute after a sustained period of pressure saw James Elliott over in the corner for a well worked score.
It got even better for Michael Bradley’s side as 8 minute later Roberto Tenga pounced on an uncharacteristic Mike Haley mistake to score the Italians second try with the conversion making it 12-0 to the visitors.
Zebre could have extended the lead on 35 minutes after Munster were penalised for side entry at the truck but Carlo Canna’s kick was wide left. Three minutes later and Canna missed an even easier kick after a Munster penalty was reversed following some indiscipline from Ably Mathewson.
Munster needed something before the break for fire up the crowd and to cut into a 12 point deficit that the visitors were fully deserving of. A line out maul 5 metres from the Zebre line would provide the platform, Jeremy Loughman would apply the finish. Hanrahan’s conversion came back of the post but it was a start and Munster would heading the dressing room trailing 12-5.
