MUNSTER KINGS
Visitors hit their hosts for six after tough start
CJ STANDER celebrated his return to his hometown in George, scoring one of Munster’s six tries as they secured a bonus-point win in the first of their two games in South Africa.
But Munster didn’t have it all their own way at Outeniqua Park and were on the back foot for long periods of the opening half against a Southern Kings side coming off the back of two good performances.
The key moment in the opening half came when lock Gerbrandt Grobler was sin-binned after 25 minutes. It seemed a harsh decision as the South African went to clear out a ruck as Kings hands were again on the ball as Munster scrum-half James Hart tried to inject some momentum.
At the time Munster were leading 3-0 after Ian Keatley converted a penalty after 17 minutes, but the Kings posted 15 points while Grobler was off.
A grubber from centre Berton Klaasen sat up perfectly for Michael Makase and while Alex Wotton nabbed him, he off-loaded for Andisa Ntsila to score. The flanker was one of three players from George in the Kings squad and it was a perfect way for him to crown the first PRO14 match in his town.
Full-back Masixole Banda landed the conversion and it got better three minutes later when lock Stephen Greff got over after a move which started when Goggin and Nash clashed heads out wide, creating the opening which the Kings exploited.
Banda missed the conversion but added a penalty to make it 15-3 just before Grobler returned.
Munster built the phases when back to 15 men and hooker Niall Scannell squeezed over two minutes from the break, a perfect way to celebrate his 26th birthday today.
And they finished the half strongly with Grobler involved before Hanrahan put Nash through, but Keatley was unable to level with the conversion.
Munster got on top after the restart and hit the front when Stander finished from close range after Keatley was stopped after a good dart. It was Stander’s 33rd try in 111 appearances for Munster. Keatley converted to make it 20-15 after 48 minutes.
They wrapped up the bonus point six minutes with a superb try started inside his own 22 by Keatley but it was Rory Scannell’s sublime pass which put Goggin through for an excellent score and he had the gas to make it to the right corner and grab his try for the Reds.
Hanrahan took over the kicking duties while Keatley was being treated after a late hit, but he was unable to convert from the right wing.
Munster who pushed on with replacement hooker Rhys Marshall getting their fifth try after a tapped penalty eleven minutes from time, with Keatley’s making it 32-15, before replacement prop Dave Kilcoyne also crossed.
The Kings hit back with a wonderful try from deep which was finished by winger Michael Makase, much to the joy of the home following.