14-man Bulls suffer a huge blow against Munster
THE Bulls gave it their all with 14 men for nearly half-an-hour, but they suffered a huge blow to their United Rugby Championship home quarterfinal hopes in a 27-22 defeat to Munster at Loftus Versfeld last night.
Flyhalf Johan Goosen’s controversial red card in the 54th minute – for making head contact in a tackle on Munster replacement scrumhalf Craig Casey – meant the Bulls had to tighten up their approach and defend with great tenacity for the rest of the match.
Jake White’s team did just that, holding out the marauding Munster attack to keep the scoreboard at 22-22 for about 15 minutes.
But the light blue wall was eventually pierced with six minutes left when veteran scrumhalf Conor Murray forced his way over in the right-hand corner for the bonus-point try.
That made it 27-22, and despite a number of multi-phase passages – with the Bulls forwards carrying strongly up the middle – Munster eventually won a turnover to clinch a vital victory that sees them moving up to third on 48 points, with the Bulls on 46 in fourth.
Leinster lost 44-12 to the Lions at Ellis Park earlier yesterday, but the Irish giants still lead the URC standings on 54 points, one ahead of Glasgow.
The Bulls will rue the fact that they now will have to rely on other results to secure a home semi-final and final.
It was Munster – led by impressive Springbok lock RG Snyman – who stormed out of the blocks at altitude, with their forwards winning the physicality battle. The Bulls battled to string significant passes together, but Goosen was on song with his tactical kicking and touch-finders. But that man Snyman stood up for Munster to make it 17-10 for his side at half-time.
The Bulls appeared to be better organised in the second half, with Kurt-lee Arendse and hooker Johan Grobbelaar touching down to put the Bulls 22-17 up in the 50th minute.
But the turning point soon followed as Goosen was sent off for a dangerous tackle. The former Bok pivot expected Casey to pass and tried to block it, but when the Munster halfback dummied, Goosen made contact with his head.
It looked like a natural rugby collision, and referee Adam Jones of Wales allowed play to continue as Canan Moodie pounced to fly down the touchline and score in the corner.
But Jones consulted with the TMO and dished out the red card.
Munster took advantage as replacement flank John Hodnett levelled matters at 22-22. The Bulls defended with great desperation but were unable to stop Murray from grabbing the clincher with six minutes left. Points-scorers
Bulls 22 – Tries: Elrigh Louw, Kurt-lee Arendse, Johan Grobbelaar. Conversions: Johan Goosen (2). Penalty: Goosen (1). Munster 27 – Tries: Shane Daly, RG Snyman, John Hodnett, Conor Murray. Conversions: Jack Crowley (2). Penalty: Crowley (1).