Young Cardiff gun: Rhys Patchell
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Munster's top-four prospects took a blow after they were stunned 17-6 by the Cardiff Blues at Musgrave Park in the Pro12 on Saturday.
Ronan O'Gara and Rhys Patchell traded a penalty each as the teams went into the break on level terms.
Although O'Gara added a second three-pointer in the second half, converted tries from Owen Williams and Robin Copeland sealed a shock result for the Blues.
Looking to build on their impressive victory over league leaders Ulster last week, the hosts made the early running. However, Cardiff proved dangerous on the counter-attack and, after a brief foray into the opposition 22, Patchell kicked them into the lead.
Copeland then made an impressive break as the visitors continued to threaten, but order was restored when O'Gara levelled, rewarding their period of pressure.
Although Munster finished the half on top with centre James Downey prominent, the game remained finely poised at 3-3 at half-time.
It was the Blues that made the first inroads in the second period when they touched down for the first try of the match.
Wales' centre Jamie Roberts came on to Patchell's pass and his inside ball to Williams saw the winger scamper away for a well-worked score.
The Irish province's fly-half immediately reduced the deficit with a three-pointer, but they were struggling to consistently test the away side's vastly improved defence.
Cardiff had a chance to seal the win but Roberts' off-load was forward. However, they finally secured a superb result when Copeland latched on to a loose ball and crossed the whitewash.
The scorers:
For Munster:
Pens: O'Gara 2
For Cardiff Blues:
Tries: O. Williams, Copeland
Cons: Patchell 2
Pen: Patchell
Munster: 15 Felix Jones, 14 Doug Howlett (c), 13 Keith Earls, 12 James Downey, 11 Johne Murphy, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Conor Murray, 8 James Coughlan, 7 Sean Dougall, 6 Tommy O'Donnell, 5 Donnacha Ryan, 4 Dave Foley, 3 Stephen Archer, 2 Mike Sherry, 1 David Kilcoyne.
Replacements: 16 Sean Henry, 17 Wian du Preez, 18 BJ Botha, 19 Billy Holland, 20 CJ Stander, 21 Duncan Williams, 22 Ian Keatley, 23 Casey Laulala.
Cardiff Blues: 15 Jason Tovey, 14 Owen Williams, 13 Richard Smith, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Harry Robinson, 10 Rhys Patchell, 9 Lewis Jones, 8 Robin Copeland, 7 Sam Warburton, 6 Josh Navidi, 5 Lou Reed, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Benoit Bourrust, 2 Rhys Williams, 1 Sam Hobbs.
Replacements: 16 Kristian Dacey, 17 Paetru Tamba, 18 Scott Andrews, 19 James Down, 20 Luke Hamilton, 21 Alex Walker, 22 Ceri Sweeney, 23 Leigh Halfpenny.
Venue:Musgrave Park
Referee: Nigel Owens
Assistant Referees: Michael Black (Ireland), John Carvill (Ireland)
Television match official: Jude Quinn (Ireland)
Comments
black47 says...
It's quite easy to explain what happened. Munster are playing this ridiculous spreading the ball wide before going up the middle style this year and were outthought and outfought on Saturday night. The players and the coach need to have a good look at their tactics this week. They had most of the possession and did nothing with it. Whatever happened to going up the middle and softening up the opposition before spreading it wide? Forwards out on the wing isn't working. Back to basics no frills munster rugby for the next 2 weeks or we'll have a miserable season entirely
Posted 14:11 07th January 2013
ruggafella says...
What happened here? How did the Blues suddenly come good against Munster? Away?
Eagerly awaiting to find a game upload/highlights!
Posted 15:05 06th January 2013
Maubec says...
Especially when Stade Français is now back to their traditionnal blue, with just a bit of pink.
Let's get back to the basics.
Posted 09:36 06th January 2013
makemehappy says...
Have Munster forgotten how to pass and catch the ball? Amazingly the Blues were worthy winners.
Posted 09:33 06th January 2013
5Lock4ward says...
I know this is way off topic but this trend of artsy-fartsy rugby shirts (see above pic) has to come to an end. Let Stade Francais be flamboyant and pink and take nude pictures of each other but does the rest of the rugby world have to follow suit?
Posted 01:26 06th January 2013