Halfpenny proves he’s battle ready for Scotland
LEIGH Halfpenny and Uzair Cassiem delivered outstanding individual displays as the Scarlets produced a crucial win to give their PRO14 play-off hopes a boost.
Munster dominated possession and territory throughout the game but couldn’t turn pressure into points as they slipped from the top of Conference A in driving rain in Llanelli.
Scarlets scored the game’s only try through Ioan Nicholas and Halfpenny kicked a conversion and a penalty.
Munster’s only points came from the boot of flyhalf Bill Johnston.
“That was huge for us,” said Scarlets head coach Wayne Pivac. “Leigh was very, very good and goal kicking was very difficult in those conditions.
“We saw this game as a grand final and we always knew it was going to be a battle. Defensively we were outstanding. We kept on coming off the line and we are very much in the title race.
“If we keep on playing like that we will be fine.”
Cassiem took home the official man-of-the-match award for making 30 tackles and missing none, but Halfpenny was just as good as he created one score, saved another, and produced a defensive master class at full-back.
He now looks sure to be involved for Wales against Scotland on Saturday.
Pivac added: “Uzair was committed, physical, and he had an excellent game. He said he didn’t like the rain, but we’ll have to water the pitch every week if he plays like that!”
This win puts the Scarlets back up to third in Conference B.
They fell behind to a Johnston penalty, but Halfpenny responded by collecting a high ball and scorching clear. It laid the platform from which Johnny McNicholl’s outrageous pass sent Nicholas flying over. Halfpenny’s conversion was successful via the upright.
Johnston kicked a second three-pointer, but Munster were profligate at key moments.
They had 80 percent of the first-half possession and 84 percent territory, but the Scarlets tackled themselves silly by making 140 successful attempts in the first 40.
Cassiem, amazingly, ended the game without a miss.
Halfpenny kicked a simple penalty when the game resumed in driving rain and with a swirling wind. Munster then had a try ruled out. Jean Kleyn was driven over, but TMO Ian Davies ruled visiting hooker Rhys Marshall was obstructing tacklers in red.
Munster – as they had done all game – continued to try to use their forwards to bash over the line.
Time after time a score looked certain, but on each occasion a combination of impressive Scarlets defence and away errors in contact halted the Irish momentum.
Halfpenny’s defensive work was outstanding and he was helped in the back field by replacement Rhys Patchell who produced an astute kicking performance.
In front of them, Cassiem tackled everything that moved.
Munster head coach Johann van Graan said: “We are still in a good place. We just couldn’t score a try. We had one disallowed, but all credit to the Scarlets’ defence.
“They played very well and their try came from a brilliant offload which was the difference in the game.”