Munster were just minutes away from repeating their 1978 victory over New Zealand before wing Joe Rokocoko’s try sealed a dramatic 18-16 win for the All Blacks at Thomond Park on Tuesday.
Munster were bereft of an entire pack of internationals because of Ireland’s game against Argentina this coming Saturday. Yet they led New Zealand, themselves not at full strength ahead of this weekend’s Test against Wales in Cardiff, 16-10 at half-time.
And this against an All Black starting side featuring eight of the players who kicked-off in the win over Scotland earlier this month.
PHOTO: AP
Even the most ardent of Munster fans might not have given much for their team’s chances after New Zealand steamrollered Ireland 22-3 on Saturday, yet history so nearly repeated itself.
The match, designed to celebrate both the official opening of the redeveloped Thomond Park and arguably the greatest result in Irish rugby history, capped a day soaked with nostalgia and raw emotion.
A lunch for the 1978 team, which beat New Zealand 12-0, was to be expected.
But, in a sign of how much less parochial rugby has become during the past three decades, the Kiwis in the Munster team, including former All Black wing Doug Howlett answered New Zealand’s haka, the traditional Maori tribal challenge, with one of their own.
However, the celebrations were tinged with sadness.
A minute’s silence was observed before kick-off for Shane Geoghegan, the 28-year-old player from Limerick’s Garryowen rugby club, shot dead by a drugs gang in a tragic case of mistaken identity.
Munster made a blistering start and scored first with a penalty from outside-half Paul Warwick.
Stephen Donald replied for New Zealand but midway through the half Warwick was on target again, first with a penalty and then with a sublime drop-goal from fully 40m.
But Munster’s exuberance soon gave way to over-confidence. An effort to run the ball from their own 22 saw a pass go to an All Black hand before Donald skipped under the Munster posts.
Munster then set about the All Blacks like a pack of lions.
Minutes before half-time a scrum near the All Black line was badly defended and a blind-side break by Peter Stringer put wing Barry Murphy in for a simple try.
The All Blacks came out for the second half with a renewed intensity and a Donald penalty early on reduced the gap to three points.
But this roused Munster to yet greater heights. Their effort was summed-up by the sight of the hosts forcing a New Zealand error even when four men in red shirts were down injured.
Going into the final quarter Munster were establishing a foothold.
From looking dead on their feet, suddenly they were turning over All Black ball. New Zealand simply couldn’t get out of their half during a 15-minute phase of exhilarating rugby.
And then Rokocoko struck.
A lineout ball was worked across the field and a gap appeared for the wing to ruthlessly spoil the moment. Donald missed the conversion but New Zealand were two points ahead with just minutes left and they saw them out.
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