Munster see off French challenge

Nov 19 2007 by Our Correspondent, Western Mail

Munster 36-13 C Auvergne

MUNSTER coach Declan Kidney hailed his side’s ability to hunt down a late bonus point as “exceptional” as they beat Clermont Auvergne 36-13 at a packed Thomond Park.

Irish fans were treated to another Heineken Cup nail-biter as the hosts left it until the 75th-minute to score a much-needed bonus-point try.

Clermont Auvergne travelled with a largely second-string team, though South Africa’s World Cup-winning captain John Smit and Fijian duo Seremaia Bai and Vilimoni Delasau were among their starters.

The French side leaked first-half tries to Shaun Payne and Rua Tipoki and Munster looked to be coasting when Ronan O’Gara converted Brian Carney’s 51st-minute touchdown.

But a try from debutant centre Marius Joubert pulled Clermont back and, but for a rousing finish from the Irishmen, which included that fourth try from Alan Quinlan and a fifth from Marcus Horan, the visitors may have sneaked a losing bonus point.

Munster boss Kidney said, “We’re delighted. There is a thin line between winning and losing in a competition like this, and to get a bonus point against a side such as that is exceptional.

“They came at us round the fringes early on and we were very strong in that department and didn’t concede any scores. We nicked a try (from Tipoki) just before half-time and that was an important score.

“With the wind and rain, conditions were difficult and when we play Clermont in France it will be much drier and they like to play a more expansive game. The conditions did not suit them this time certainly.”

Ronan O’Gara, who missed just one kick out of sixput in the cross-field kick that played in Payne for his eighth-minute try.

“Our pack stood up to them very well in the first half. It was a slower game that last week against Wasps and I thought our forwards were exceptional,” said the Irish fly-half.

“Getting the first score was huge for us and maybe determined the outcome.”