AFTER a disappointing start to the season (with only two wins from seven starts), sensational Munster produced a special performance to topple a stacked South Africa XV, 28-14, at a packed Páirc Uí Chaoimh last night.
Shane Daly, Simon Zebo, Diarmuid Barron and Mike Haley went over for tries, while Ben Healy landing all four conversions.
Was it a result anyone expected?
“I wasn’t surprised,” declared a beaming Munster Head Coach Graham Rowntree afterwards. “I’m just so proud of everyone involved.”
“It’s brilliant, a special night for the club and a special night for the club individually.
“And a special night for all those people who worked exceptionally hard to get this game organised. And the support was brilliant, although the weather wasn’t the best.
“That is going to give us a shot in the arm moving forward into the next batch of games (beginning with a home game against Connacht in the URC on Saturday, November 26).”
“It has to be a springboard and give us confidence. Because that was a proper game, they’re a good team, a big team. So we have to take confidence from that moving into the next block.
“I’ll go and drink with them tonight and savour the moment. It’s a special night, as a player you remember these nights, a special moment in a special place.
“I said to them before the game that I was jealous of what was about to happen. They know what I mean now.”
