Munster coach Rob Penney hailed his side's "compelling performance" after the Irish province progressed into the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup.
The 29-6 victory at Thomond Park booked Munster a trip to Harlequins as one of the two best Pool runners-up - and ensured Leinster bowed out.
"We were up against some pretty resilient opposition and the boys delivered a pretty compelling performance at times," Penney said.
"We made a couple of errors early on and that was on the back of being a bit anxious and wanting to do well. It took us a bit of time to settle into the game, probably longer than we would have liked.
"Once we got into our rhythm, I thought at times we were compelling. We looked very efficient.
"Our mental preparation and ability to stay focused for the whole 80 minutes was something we were going to need today. The relentlessness we were seeking was there."
Penney admitted that the thought of not making the last eight didn't bear thinking about.
"If we hadn't (reached the quarter-finals) the people would be in the long grass, there would have been a lot of bullets being fired," Penney said.
"If we hadn't gotten the outcome today, I would have been still proud of the progress we are making and the areas of growth we are getting.
"I really believe in this team and the direction it is going."
Comments
MunsterRedArmy says...
@DrDeath: True, Clermont is doing a great this year and are doing their job as they should all around the park. When I said give Munster a year, I didn't mean they would win the HC or even Rabo in that time, was merely referring to them becoming a true team, they went through a lot of changes (retired players: Flannery, Wallace, Leamy, B Murphy, Quinlan etc etc), new coach, new gameplan... Once they all get settled I think we'll see even more positive results.
My opinion... I hope they disappoint us all and get some silverware sooner than in 3 years time hehe
Posted 23:58 21st January 2013
DrDeath says...
Is good result for Munster and I suppose gives them at least fighting chance if they play their very best vs Quins!
@MunsterRedArmy
Slight reality check, you are correct to say its too soon for silverware this year-at least three years and 3 top signings away from silverware even if everyone improves as you hope, in my opinion.
I say this not in any mean spirit (having attended the 2000 and 2006 finals) but everyone has to reach for the standards ASM have set this year as I think they have raised the bar!
Posted 19:20 21st January 2013
JamieTheProp says...
That was Munster's final - Quins are too good in all areas of the game to lose the QF.
In my (neutral) opinion Leinster play the better rugby and I would have liked to see them go through - but I think Quins have more chance of beating Munster than Leinster (especially at home) so in many ways I am happy with that.
Gives an English club more chance of winning the whole thing so can't complain!
Posted 13:02 21st January 2013
stevetynant says...
there might be an element of sour grapes in his comment but Racing should be banned for fielding a hugely understrength side it does the competiotion no favours at all. So much for the French sides moaning about Celtic patricipation
Posted 12:50 21st January 2013
MunsterRedArmy says...
I think its too soon for Munster to get the silverware this year. Give them young boys and new members of the squad including Coach a year and I'm positive they'll bring good results every game! Yesterday's game was just a beginning of a new Munster rugby era! G'WAN MUNSTER!!
Posted 12:48 21st January 2013
99call says...
Great perfomance by Munster i still think theyre a bit light weight when it comes to srummaging against a top front row. Im just glad we got 2 irish sides through.
However I dont like this side to side rugby that Pennys got them playing, they seem to just shovel the ball to the wing without committing any defenders and by the time the winger gets it hes got 4 defenders infront of him who have just tracked the ball across the pitch, looks like Wales in the autumn internationals and we know how well that worked for them.
But as the game went on the players seem to revert to type and run straight and commit defenders so was good to see, so as much as Penney hailed his team I dont think they won playing his game plan, heres hoping they forget his plan against Quins and get the like of Zebo into the game early, love watching that boy play and Im an ulsterman, so with him an Gilroy as the future of irish wing play I see alot of tries if we can get 2 centres to get the ball to them when BOD and Darc retire
Posted 12:03 21st January 2013
Norm says...
Scrumcap
Agree with your comments re 3in4. Probably has a Chelsea or a mancity tee-shirt in the cupboard beside his leinster one, so he can crawl over there dont send him to us GAA fans, we dont want him and he's not welcome
Posted 10:44 21st January 2013
SMcMeel says...
@scrumcap - well said!
Mumhan Abu!
Posted 10:31 21st January 2013
scrumcap says...
Sour grapes from a silly Leinster supporter.....support Irish rugby or go back to GAA.....
Posted 19:56 20th January 2013
3in4 says...
Beat a 3rd-string Racing side with only 14 men on the field for 75 minutes. Well done indeed.
Posted 18:11 20th January 2013