Munster Begin Rowntree Era With Losing Bonus Point

Munster were outscored by three tries to one as a strong Cardiff side took a 20-13 verdict in their BKT United Rugby Championship clash at the Arms Park.

In Graham Rowntree’s first competitive game in charge, Munster led on two occasions – the second time thanks to Jack O’Sullivan’s 62nd-minute score – but Cardiff had the answers with Aled Summerhill’s late try settling the issue.

Ben Healy’s brace of penalties had Munster leading heading towards half-time, but young centre Max Llewellyn, the scorer of a third-minute try, supplied the assist for Kristian Dacey’s late effort to give Cardiff a 12-6 advantage.

After an injury-interrupted first half, the closing 40 minutes failed to fire until the final quarter. Dai Young’s men prevailed thanks to a Jarrod Evans penalty and Uilisi Halaholo’s brilliance in setting up Summerhill to score.

The Munstermen fell behind inside the opening minutes, retreating back into their own 22 after debutant Malakai Fekitoa had coughed up a penalty for holding on.

With Cardiff working possession towards the right wing, centre Llewellyn bounced up from a tackle from Fineen Wycherley and evaded the clutches of Jean Kleyn to score the game’s opening try.

Calvin Nash covered well as Jarrod Evans, who missed the conversion, tried to unlock the defence with a cross-field kick. Munster’s best early attack was spoiled by an Alex Kendellen spill.

However, Healy did get them on the scoreboard with a well-struck 16th-minute penalty from the left, punishing a Rhys Carre maul infringement.

Following up on that, the Munster out-half caught the eye with a fine aerial take and pass that gave Liam Coombes a chance to stretch his legs down the left wing.

One of Cardiff’s big signings, Liam Williams, unfortunately had to go off with a shoulder injury, while a HIA for Kendellen brought fit-again flanker John Hodnett onto the pitch for a 10-minute spell.

Munster constructed their best attack in the 28th minute, Chris Farrell getting on the front foot and Paddy Patterson pinballing through into the 22 as they took Cardiff through a number of phases.

Shane Daly slipped away from a tackle as he neared the left corner, but the supporting Coombes was stopped short. Play came back for a central penalty which Healy knocked over to move Munster in front.

As Cardiff sought to hit back with Kristian Dacey to the fore, Munster captain Jack O’Donoghue stole a crucial lineout only for the Welsh outfit to score off the next set-piece.

Llewellyn burst onto a pass, breaking in between Kendellen and Josh Wycherley, and he had Dacey up in support to finish off the attack to the right of the posts. The conversion from Evans made it a six-point gap.

Early season rustiness was evident when the second half got underway, a Farrell fumble sparking a spate of knock-ons from both sides. Importantly for Cardiff, Thomas Young continued to win the breakdown battle.

The hosts were getting wingers Josh Adams and Summerhill more into the game, but Hodnett, back on for Kendellen, forced a turnover penalty to break up Cardiff’s momentum.

Hodnett also hoofed the ball downfield a few minutes later and the third quarter continued to be scoreless despite a sniping Patterson run and a Cardiff counter attack that need Daly’s quick reactions to tackle Young into touch.

Rey Lee-Lo’s offload soon sprung his centre partner Llewellyn back into the Munster 22, yet the red defensive wall kept them out. Daly’s kick into Cardiff territory, combined with a turnover penalty won by Kleyn, visibly lifted Rowntree’s side.

They also sharpened up their attack, with direct running from the likes of O’Sullivan and O’Donoghue. Patterson worked hard to keep the attack going and when the forwards got within reach of the whitewash, number 8 O’Sullivan burrowed over.

The newly-introduced Jack Crowley converted, only for the seven-point concession to inspire better play from Cardiff. James Botham’s jinking run had them knocking on the door of a third try before Evans took the points on offer.

Now 15-13 down with just over 10 minutes remaining, Munster were guilty of taking the wrong option at times. Scrum half Patterson got through a lot of good work, but kicked the ball away when they needed to keep hold of possession.

Although Fekitoa and replacement Antoine Frisch linked up nicely in midfield during the closing stages, Lee-Lo and Halaholo, who was sprung from the bench, had the greater influence.

From a 77th-minute scrum, Cardiff attacked to the right and Halaholo’s quick feet and superbly-timed pass, taking Crowley out of the game, released Summerhill to break free from Coombes and score from the edge of the Munster 22.

The conversion was narrowly missed by Evans and with no further scores, Munster took home a bonus point but with some key areas to work on ahead of next week’s return trip to Wales to face the Dragons.