Hanrahan kicks Munster to PRO14 victory

MUNSTER claimed a 31-20 bonus point win over South African side Southern Kings at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Port Elizabeth last Saturday in Round 2 of the Guinness Pro 14.

Munster led by 10-6 at half time thanks to a Darren Sweetman try, and Currow’s JJ Hanrahan slotted a penalty and conversion. Southern Kings got off to the perfect start in the second half thanks to a converted try from Stefan Ungerer to nudge them 13-10 ahead. Munster struck back in the 50th minute however when Alby Matthewson crossed the whitewash after some excellent interplay.

Southern Kings attacked Munster for all they were worth but the away sides defence was excellent and handled the pressure well, despite the concession of a number of penalties. Having absorbed the home sides pressure, Munster were much more clinical in attack and Fineen Wycherley crashed over for his sides third try before Arno Botha sealed the bonus point with a fourth try in the 70th minute. Elridge Loue crossed for a consolation try for Southern Kings to ensure a nervy final few minutes for Munster but they had enough on to scoreboard to ensure victory.

In total, Hanrahan slotted four conversions and a penalty in a flawless kicking performance. Hanrahan is now second in the PRO14 kicking tables with an average accuracy of 89%. Munster’s next game is away to the high flying Toyota Cheetahs on next Friday evening.

Meanwhile, Ireland stumbled to a 35-0 bonus point victory over Russia in the Rugby World Cup last Thursday. First half tries from Rob Kearney, Peter O’Mahony and Rhys Rudduck set them on their way, but all they had to show in the second half was a touch down from Andrew Conway. Ireland take on Samoa next Saturday and a bonus point victory will ensure qualification to the quarter-final.