Heineken Cap Pool 1 Match 6 

Munster v Northampton Saints

Thomond Park Friday January 22nd KO 20:00

Munster 12 Northampton Saints 9

Over the years I've watched Saints there have been one or two losses I've enjoyed and walked away from thoroughly entertained. The opposition have thoroughly deserved their win, Saints have played well and I've had a great afternoon out. I think I get this from my father who was an old school wing forward who loved playing rugby for the Navy and, brought me up to see the result was less important than the spectacle, especially when you are the spectator.

So playing Munster you are already onto a winner - they are a great side with great supporters and as we saw when they visited FG they certainly  helped deliver the spectacle and entertainment.

This was always going to be a tough assignment for Saints and I'm writing this with the benefit of hindsight on Sunday, however while we might rue the nearlys, the might have beens and the if onlys, think of this game as another step on the development of Saints. We are already massively ahead of schedule.

I was gutted not to be able to make the trip to Thomond Park but I'm delighted that we've got the chance to go back.

We watched the game on TV with friends and were well fortified with a keg of beer and an excellent curry. Spirits were good and I think before kick off the view was as long as Saints don't disgrace themselves it will be a good result.

Both sides started with a degree of nervous energy as they sought to impose themselves on the match. Maybe the selection of Geraghty suggested to Munster that Saints would play a high tempo ball in hand game but that wasn't the case as both sides tested each other with kicks, chips and high balls.  Saints conceded an early penalty when Ashton joined a ruck from the side and O'Gara took the three points on offer. The wily Quinlan forced another penalty from Ashton who refused to give up the ball when taken into touch by the Munster flanker. Again evidence of a bit of naivety from Saints. Munster were equally leaking penalties however Geraghty wasn't having a good game with the boot and chances went begging. At this level and against Munster you simply had to take them. Reihana did   make a long range kick when Munster were penalised for wheeling the scrum to draw the scores level.

However just before half time Saints conceded a penalty in their 22 and Munster went to the break 6-3. From a saints point of view that wasn't too bad- they were in touch but I felt they would have to go up a gear or two against a Munster side able to soak up the pressure and defend.

Special mention must go to our home made half time pork scratchings supplied from Pollards Butchers and nicely warm straight from the oven and complimented the beer nicely. It certainly kept our spirits up and we dared to hope Saints could yet spring an upset.

They certainly went up a gear in the second half and enjoyed the lion's share of the territory but couldn't do anything with it.  Saints briefly drew level again when Munster conceded an easily kickable penalty and Geraghty duly obliged. However he missed another straightforward kick as did Reihana as maybe the pressure was beginning to tell. Munster had the more reliable kicker in O'Gara and in this type of game that is crucial. He duly put Munster back in front when Saints gave away another penalty. Saints may have enjoyed a slight superiority at the line out and the scrum, but they were unable to exploit or take much advantage of it. It was poor decision making at crucial times and a lack of precision in finishing - the hallmarks of a side lacking in experience at this level so not something to be overly critical on.

 However they were clearly not overawed by the occasion and several players really stood out for me. Kruger at the lineout was masterful and acrobatic. Lawes tackled his heart out and would have learnt much from going up against the vastly more experienced Quinlan. Foden was solid under the high ball and Clarke stole some lovely balls in the tackle. Dylan had an excellent game - yes he took his time at the lineout but his cool headed captaincy marked another stage in his development. He probably came closest to scoring when he charged down O'Leary's kick but was held up short. Munster defended the resulting scrum and was able to clear.

Poite had quite a good game in the middle, its true he missed the odd thing from both sides such as couple of knocks on and let one or two acts go unpenalised but he was very clear what he wanted especially at the scrum and breakdown. Munster seemed to struggle with his style more than Saints which was pleasing as it's usually been Saints that get flustered by the referee. He eventually tired of Munster infringing at the breakdown and warned O'Connell who was clearly unhappy with the Saints scrum. Rather ironically the next infringement came from the Munster captain himself and Poite showed him the only yellow card of the game.

That was turning point for the match. That fired up Munster and when Saints gained a penalty they opted to scrum rather than kick, thinking no doubt the 7 man scrum meant 7 points was on. Sadly lack of precision kicked in - a determined Munster exerted pressure in the scrum and saints failed to control the ball - it shot out Munster's side and the crisis was averted. That showed you why Munster are so good at this level - it was an immense effort by a pack missing their captain. Here was the chance for Saints to seize the game and it was essential that they scored something during the sin binning and yet Munster drew on their reserves of experience to deny them. In fact it was 14 man Munster who scored, adding another penalty to take them to 12-6 and a home quarterfinal. Was the scrum a poor decision when three points were safely on offer? Possibly but Saints will learn from that.

They certainly needed to change the game plan as the game headed into the last quarter and maybe Myler should have been on for Geraghty earlier. Munster despite rarely getting to the 22 in the second half looked increasing assured and it seemed as if Saints were simply going to hang on for the losing bonus point.   Day and Best came on for Lobbe and Lawes but all Saints had to show for their determination was a final penalty that Myler stroked over to bring the scores to 12-9. The last play of the game saw Saints gain a penalty at the line out but rather than attempt a "Franklins' Gardens special||" and look for a try they kicked the ball out ands trooped off to await the results from other pools. It was good to see the Munster and Saints players shaking hands and there seemed plenty of respect between the two sides. Not so good was the sight of the prone Day being cordoned off by stewards while waiting to be stretchered off. Hopefully he will be ok - it seems he fell awkwardly at the lineout and that's one area of play that might have benefited from closer attention of M Poite.

So no upset, though Saints certainly didn't disgrace themselves.  Looking at the game isolation I can understand they will feel disappointed but Saints will have gained much valuable experience, something that cannot be coached, only earned. Munster have done that through years of hard graft in the Heineken Cup and indeed it was Munster's  patience and experience that helped see them through to the end and another home quarterfinal.  That ultimately was the difference between the two sides and if it's only three points the difference Saints should take heart from that. In the longer term this is another step on the development of the squad and it's what the players do with the experience that counts.  They get another chance to show what they've learned form this match when they return to Thomond Park for the Quarterfinals.  

Bring it on!

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon

Related Articles:

• NEWS: SAINTS MARCH ON IN THE HEINEKEN CUP!
• HC: Munster vs Northampton Saints - Match Preview (again!)
• Thoughts from the Chron 21st January 2010
• News: Red Sky at Night, Jimmies Delight-Saints 31 Munster 27