WHEN Munster went into an early lead against the Stormers, the loyal travelling fans were settling down to watch what they hoped would be a comfortable, and badly-needed, URC away victory.
At half-time the Reds trailed by just two points and on 67 minutes a typical late surge beckoned after Gavin Coombes’ try and Jack Crowley’s conversion saw the scoreboard read 21-19 to the home side.
What happened next was a complete collapse, a series of basic schoolboy errors at re-start drop-outs, inaccurate lineout throws and conceding penalties at scrum time.
Seldom have we seen a Munster team in such disarray.
Poor drop-outs by the experienced Billy Burns and Crowley at a critical stage highlighted the chaos.
There is huge frustration down in the dressing room there now, and for good reason.
Saturday’s opponents, the Sharks (kick-off 3pm, Durban), caused a surprise at the weekend with victory over holders Glasgow Warriors, 28-24, and footage of that game revealed that they are strong in all areas of the field.
It is a crucial fixture for Munster, who have now dropped to 11th in the table.
Meanwhile, rumblings from Cork that important Munster matches should be staged in the GAA’s Páirc Uí Chaoimh have not gone down well on Shannonside.
Already the Munster Branch has registered the venue should the province reach the semi-final stages of the Heineken Cup or any other matches likely to attract large support. What a pity it would be if this were so.
Limerick’s Thomond Park remains the capital of rugby football, a venue that has been steeped in rugby folklore throughout the decades and it is easily accessed by bordering counties.
Munster Rugby would be better off to increase the capacity of the Mayorstone venue to 40,000 by building two adjoining stands with seating accommodation behind both goalposts.
On the club scene, not one of our six teams recorded a victory in the AIL at the weekend, while four shipped 40 points, and more.
Let’s hope Saturday sees a turn in fortunes at all levels.
