REDS KICK ON THANKS TO JJ
JJ HANRAHAN landed seven superb kicks as Munster came from behind to carve out a bonus point win in Italy last night.
It was the perfect boost ahead of their Heineken Champions Cup showdown with Saracens next week.
Hanrahan (inset) said: “It was a seriously tough game, I don’t think they have lost here since November.”
The vast array of skills produced by Fijian winger Ratuva Tavuyara set the tone for the open style of rugby which has typified Benetton this season and his early work was a big contributor in Italian centre Tommaso Benvenuti getting in for the opening try after eight minutes.
But Munster side did not panic and they hit back with Rhys Marshall getting over for a try after they went to the right corner with a penalty.
Six minutes later they hit the front for the first time when an alert Dan Goggin intercepted Jayden Hayward’s pass to score.
Hanrahan converted both for a lead of 14-10 but two penalties from Tommaso Allan edged the Italians back in front before a Hanrahan hit one of his own. Benetton pressure earned a second try of the half for them when a break from Hayward set up winger Monty Ioane for a fine score and a 21-17 interval lead.
The home side laid siege for four minutes after the restart and were rewarded with a penalty try after Darren Sweetnam deliberately knocked on, earning a yellow card in the process.
But again Munster didn’t panic and two penalties from Hanrahan cut the gap to 28-23.
The Reds drew level when Goggin put Shane Daly over for his first Munster try after 61 minutes, with Hanrahan edging them 30-28 in front with his sixth successful kick of the night from the left touchline.
Then he combined with Alby Mathewson for the scrum-half to race through for the bonus point try before Hanrahan pushed the lead out to 37-28.
After that it was only a matter of holding out and Johann van Graan’s men never looked like letting the win slip in the closing stages as Benetton piled on the pressure.
The Italians opted for a scrum from a penalty in front of the posts which they lost and the chance of a bonus point was gone.
EDINBURGH 7 ULSTER 29 ULSTER guaranteed themselves second place in Conference B and a play-off place after overcoming Edinburgh at Murrayfield.
Tries from Jordi Murphy, Robert Baloucoune, Rob Lyttle and Billy Burns secured a bonus point victory which, combined with Benetton losing to Munster, means Ulster are assured of a top two finish. Edinburgh’s points came from a converted second half try from John Barclay.
However, the result seriously dents their hopes of progressing and they now depend on more than just the outcome of their final day derby encounter at Glasgow.