The Munster match yesterday

[Derek Smith]

Now that was that a cracker. A real gem. If you missed it then beat yourself up.

[SC7]

Was it a graveyard smash?

[JakeS]

SC7 said:

Was it a graveyard smash?

[Matt172]

brilliant game apart from the fact we lost just a shame the ref missed the knock ons during the last 40 odd phases that cost us the game

[Derek Smith]

Matt172 said:

brilliant game apart from the fact we lost just a shame the ref missed the knock ons during the last 40 odd phases that cost us the game

Point taken especially viewing the recording this morning. But it was edge of the seat stuff, wasn't it.

[Matt172]

Derek Smith said:

Point taken especially viewing the recording this morning. But it was edge of the seat stuff, wasn't it.

absolutely, it was one of the best games of rugby I've seen for a long while

[ellroy]

Munster just do not seem to understand that they've been beaten!

Another classic from the men in red.

[Mark13]

Clearly Munster were able to do what they liked in that last push (40 odd phases)as Northampton would be unable to compete for the ball for fear of conceding a kickable penalty.

The real issue was that their try at the end of the first half, which gave them the lead, was from a blatant knock on. That incident resulted in 7 points on the eve oh half time and changed the complexion of the game. Added to this Owens clearly does not have a clue about scrummaging because Northampton totally dominated the scrums but ended up penalised on more than one occasion. It was exciting to watch but also very frustrating.

I think the team are justifiably aggrieved and Munster must think they got out of jail in this game.

[Matt172]

The try came from a definate knock on, and the change of possession that started the 40 phases was given because the ref assumed that oconnel came through the middle of the maul which he blatantly didn't and should have been a penalty to the saints for coming in from the side. I think things will be different when we play them over here and the 16th man will be a Northampton crowd not a Munster one

[Mark13]

Hopefully we will have a French ref, who understands the breakdown and the scrum.

[anonymous-user]

Calling a turnover at the final maul when O'Connell blasted his way in from the side was a scandalous decision, but I thought most of the other stuff wasn't bad, swings and roundabouts.

[Mark13]

Either way it turned the game. If he had been pinged then Saints would have won.

[sidicks]

Mark13 said:

Either way it turned the game. If he had been pinged then Saints would have won.

It never ceases to amaze me how much the crowd can appear to influence a game of rugby - there is no way that Munster would have got some of those decisions away from home!!

As well as the issues already highlighted, when are referees going to ensure that scrums are contested legally with the ball thrown down the middle etc? It gets highlighted on commentary time and time again, yet nothing is done - it's becoming more like Rugby League scrums....


Sidicks

[Matt172]

Indeed, if a line out is immediately pinging if it's even slightly not straight but it's acceptable to feed a ball into the second row at a scrum and get away with it. I guess some of its being a streetwise team and if the ref isn't going to police it then you get away with it as much as possible. The 16th man at thomand park is always going to have a massive effect on the refs decisions. Let's just hope the 16th man will be our advantage when we play the return leg in January

[Derek Smith]

How long before some kid asks: Daddy, why do they call the man with number 2 on his back a hooker?

Is there any point on then raising their leg?

[DJRC]

Really really hate not having Sky Sports anymore on HC weekends!!!!!!!