Munster made to work hard for victory over Zebre

United Rugby Championship

Munster (7) 21

Tries: Daly, Kendellen, L Barron Cons: Hanrahan 3

Zebre (7) 7

Munster secured a much-needed 21-7 win over Zebre in the United Rugby Championship, being made to work hard before pulling clear in the second half at a drenched Thomond Park on Saturday.

With three defeats in their last four URC outings – against Leinster, Ulster and Glasgow Warriors – and having made 10 changes from the side that lost to Glasgow Warriors last month, this result will steady the ship somewhat for the Irish province.

After going in level at half-time at seven points apiece, Munster edged ahead in the second period with a late brace of tries from Alex Kendellen and Lee Barron, those scores securing Clayton McMillan’s side their first win in Limerick since October.

Munster had the majority of early territory and pressure, with a beautifully judged kick from Tom Farrell handing the hosts a line-out just seven metres from the Zebre line.

That pressure intensified when Giulio Bertaccini was shown a yellow card two minutes in for a deliberate knock-on, as Munster threatened to score under the posts.

Despite being reduced to 14 men, Zebre initially stood firm, but winger Shane Daly demonstrated his explosive pace and stormed over in the left corner after six minutes, getting Munster off the mark, JJ Hanrahan adding the conversion.

A sudden downpour swept across Thomond Park, making handling increasingly treacherous, yet Munster continued to probe.

The hosts generated quick ruck ball and a clever grubber from Mike Haley almost put captain Jack O’Donoghue in under the posts, but the ball slipped forward at the crucial moment.

Munster controlled territory for much of the opening quarter, working patiently through phases as Zebre were forced into heavy defensive shifts.

Gradually the Italian visitors found a foothold and just after the half-hour mark, Samuele Locatelli broke Munster’s defensive line, with flanker Bautista Stavile scoring under the posts. Giacomo Da Re added the extras.

Early in the second half, Tom Farrell kicked in behind the defence, setting up Paddy Patterson to get over the try line on his 50th appearance for Munster.

After a TMO review, the referee confirmed that the ball had hit Patterson’s hand and then the ground, so it was ruled to be a knock-on and the score remained tied.

Munster failed to capitalise on opportunities, with Calvin Nash threatening with a storming run on 52 minutes that fizzled out into touch, and then a promising five-metre line-out maul was halted by a forward pass.

The breakthrough for Clayton McMillan’s men finally came 64 minutes in.

A strong maul off the lineout carried Munster close, and after a series of pick-and-go carries, replacement Kendellen grounded the ball from close range to mark his return from injury in style. Hanrahan’s conversion edged the hosts 14-7 ahead.

Zebre continued to battle, but Munster finally found their tempo and ill-discipline from the visitors cost them key opportunities.

With 10 minutes left on the clock, Hanrahan kicked to the corner. Replacement hooker Barron threw the ball into the lineout and capitalised on the Munster pack’s strong rolling maul to get over for their third try. Hanrahan was successful with the extra two to put 14 between the sides.

Chasing a bonus point, Barron later broke the line but was hauled down short by Stavile.

As the clock ticked into the red, Zebre briefly threatened, but a crucial turnover from Munster, followed by an unfortunate knock-on from Edogbo, brought the game to an end.

Munster: Haley; Nash, Farrell, Kelly, Daly; Hanrahan, Patterson; Milne, Scannell, Ala’alatoa, Kleyn, F Wycherley, Coombes, O’Donoghue (capt), Gleeson.

Replacements: L Barron, J Wycherley, J Ryan, E Edogbo, Kendellen, Coughlan, T Wood, O’Brien.

Zebre: Montemauri; Batista, Bertaccini, Mazza, Gesi; Da Re, García; Pitinari, Ribaldi, Pieretto, Canali, Ortombina, Stavile, Locatelli, Ferrari (capt).

Replacements: Quattrini, Buofiglio, Franceschetto, Volpi, Bianchi, Dominguez, Roger Farias, Zanon.

Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)

Assistant Referees: Robbie Jenkinson (IRFU) and Max Weston (IRFU)