Munster crash out of URC after penalty shootout loss to Sharks
Munster 24
Sharks win 6-4 on penalties
THERE WERE scenes of mad celebrations at Kings Park on Saturday night when the Sharks prevailed over Munster in a United Rugby Championship quarter-final thanks to a successful penalty shoot-out following 20 minutes of extra time.
It was heartbreak for a Munster side that once more showed the character that is the hallmark of one of Europe's great teams.
Rugby is not accustomed to soccer-style shootouts and there was an unlikely hero for the Sharks in a fairly unknown replacement scrumhalf, Bradley Davids, who held his nerve after the Munster kicker, Rory Scannell, had earlier missed a kick.
The Sharks are through to a semi-final against the Bulls, and they are there by the skin of their teeth after the match finished at 24-24, and the extra time of 20 minutes produced no score.
Munster were returning to a ground where seven months ago, they got a 41-24 mauling, a result that cost coach Graham Rowntree his job.
The Shark Tank is the one South African venue where Munster have never won a match, although they came close two years ago when they drew 22-22 en route to eventually winning the title in Cape Town.
Munster are at their most unpredictable when they are pinning their colours to a mast. This was the case with a collective of more than 600 caps about to retire in the form of warriors Peter O'Mahony, Conor Murray and Stephen Archer.
Munster have proved they are a team never afraid of delivering on foreign soil — they won a succession of away playoffs to win the title in Cape Town, against the Stormers.
On paper, the Sharks were favourites. They boasted eight double World Cup-winning Springboks, mostly in a pack containing Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche and Vincent Koch.
They also had a former Munster lock in Jason Jenkins, plus fellow Springboks in Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse, Lukhanyo Am, Makazole Mapimpi, Andre Esterhuizen and Aphelele Fassi in the backline.
By the same token, Munster coach Ian Costello had picked the same starting team for three games in a row. The last time Munster had managed that feat was in 2018.
Advertisement
The visitors scored the first points of the game when the Sharks kicked badly into the space and the counter-attacking Irishmen swept upfield. Jack Crowley kicked astutely to the corner for winger Calvin Nash to scorch into the corner and superbly ground the ball in the ninth minute.
Crowley missed a sitter of a penalty shortly after in an opening quarter that was all Munster red and very little black of the home side.
The best attacking moment the Sharks could muster in the first half was a hopeful and unsuccessful long-range penalty effort by Jaden Hendrikse.
The 28,000 Kings Park crowd was on the point of despair but five minutes into the second half right wing Ethan Hooker stepped several opponents to score. Hendrikse's conversion levelled the scores at 7-7.
Munster fought straight back and replacement prop Josh Wycherley charged over. The conversion by Crowley made it 14-10 with just over a quarter of the match to play.
The Munster men accelerated into a 21-10 lead when left wing Diarmuid Kilgallen raced up on a speculative kick that had Sharks fullback Aphelele Fassi slip on his backside in the heavy dew, and Kilgallen capitalised in gathering and scoring.
A prolonged period of set scum pressure from the Sharks in the Munster 22 paid dividends when a ball worked quickly out wide from an advancing scrum saw fullback Aphelele Fassi saunter over.
The score was 21-17 with just over 10 minutes to go. The Sharks took the lead for the first time with six minutes remaining when a penalty kicked to the corner saw replacement hooker Fez Mbatha smash over.
The Kings Park crowd raised the rafters, but they were rendered silent when Conor Murray — that wonderful warrior for Munster and Ireland — came off the bench and landed a cool penalty to level the score at 24-24 and take the game into extra time.
Neither side could score in the first 10 minutes, although the Sharks applied most of the pressure. The arm wrestle continued in the second half to send the game to a penalty shoot-out.
The Sharks' kickers kept their nerve, and it was the unfortunate Rory Scannell who missed first.
Sharks scorers:
Tries: Tries: Ethan Hooker, Aphelele Fassi, Fez Mbatha
Conversions :Jaden Hendrikse [3]
Penalty: Jaden Hendrikse
Munster scorers:
Tries: Calvin Nash, Josh Wycherley, Diarmuid Kilgallen
Conversions :Jack Crowley [3]
Penalty: Conor Murray.
Munster: Thaakir Abrahams [Mike Haley, '65], Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell [Rory Scannbell, '65], Alex Nankivell , Duirmuid Kilgallen; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey [Conor Murray, '65]; Michael Milne, Niall Scannell [Diarmuid Barron, '50] , Stephen Archer [Josh Wycherley, '48], Jean Kleyn, Tadheg Beirne (captain), Peter O'Mahony, John Hodnett [Alex Kendellen, '65], Gavin Coombes.
Sharks: Aphelele Fassi, Ethan Hooker, Lukhanyo Am [Francois Venter, '75], Andre Esterhuizen, Makazole Mapimpi; Jordan Hendrikse, Jaden Hendrikse; Ox Nche [Ntuthuko Mchunu, '68], Bongi Mbonambi [Fez Mbatha, '62], Vincent Koch, Jason Jenkins [Emile van Heerden, '13], Eben Etzebeth, James Venter, Vincent Tshituka, Siya Kolisi [Phepsi Buthelezi, '55].
Referee: Mike Adamson (Scotland).
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


RTÉ News
3 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba disciplined after missing All-Star Game
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami team-mate Jordi Alba have been suspended from their next club match after missing Wednesday's MLS All-Star Game against Mexico's Liga MX. Messi's club coach Javier Mascherano told reporters on Friday the Argentinian World Cup winner had sat out the showpiece due to fatigue, while Alba is believed to have sustained a knock in their previous MLS fixture. However, without approval from the league, both players were liable for sanction. "Inter Miami CF defender Jordi Alba and forward Lionel Messi will be unavailable for the club's Matchday 27 game against FC Cincinnati on Saturday evening, due to their absence at the 2025 MLS All-Star Game," read an MLS statement. "Per league rules, any player who does not participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval from the league is ineligible to compete in their club's next match." Despite Messi being the major star of MLS, commissioner Don Garber said the rules had to be enforced without exception, although he was open to a future amendment. "I know Lionel Messi loves this league. I don't think there's a player - or anyone - who has done more for Major League Soccer than Messi," he said. "I fully understand, respect, and admire his commitment to Inter Miami, and I respect his decision. "Unfortunately, we have a long-standing policy regarding participation in the All-Star Game, and we had to enforce it. It was a very difficult decision. "That said, we're going to take a hard look at the policy moving forward. I'm committed to working with our players to determine how the rule should evolve."


The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Most memorable football moments from Maradona's ‘Hand of God' to Beckham's '98 red card, survey shows
DIEGO Maradona's infamous 'Hand of God' has been crowned the most notorious football moment, according to a poll of fans. The diminutive Argentinian broke English hearts in 1986 when he rose above Peter Shilton and punched the ball into the net. 6 Charman Craig Doughty said: 'Sometimes being rubbish at football really pays off' Credit: PA Media 6 It went on to have its fortunes turned around by Specsavers with the help of Ella Toone, Gary Neville and Luke Littler Credit: Anthony Upton © 2024 6 'We were struggling to get a team together last season,' said the team, after a 17-0 losing run Credit: Anthony Upton © 2024 This was followed by Luis Suarez inexplicably biting I Also making the top five were David Beckham's red card for kicking Diego Simeone and Frank Lampard's shockingly disallowed goal against Germany in the 2010 World Cup. The study also revealed many amateur players had experienced their own horrors on the football pitch, with 23 per cent enduring a Ronnie Rosenthal-style open goal blunder. The research was commissioned by Specsavers as part of its Best Worst Team series - inspired by such football faux pas, from missed goals to not hearing the refs whistle. Read more in Football The list of infamous moments on the pitch also highlighted Thierry Henry's blatant handball against Ireland in World Cup qualifying in 2009, often cited as a key reason for the introduction of VAR. Club football was also represented, including the time Carlos Tevez didn't come off the bench as a substitute for As was Darren Bent's famous 'Beach Ball Goal' – when the But for those playing in parks and pitches up and down the country, 22 per cent have been left red faced when they wildly celebrated a goal, only to realise it had actually been ruled out. Most read in Football Whereas 12 per cent of goalies have let in an absolute howler and were left lying on the ground wishing it would open to swallow them. The research, conducted via went on to find 78 per cent believe these unbelievably memorable moments are part of what makes football iconic, even if they can feel unfair. Over a third (35 per cent) prefer football when it is 'unpredictable and chaotic', as opposed to a quarter (25 per cent) who'd rather a 'fair and structured' contest. Tunley Athletic – which previously lost all 26 games, shipping 137 more goals than they scored in the process – took part in the Best Worst Team series. Maradona scores infamous 'Hand of God' goal in the 1986 World Cup quarter final against England It went on to have its fortunes turned around by Specsavers with the help of Ella Toone, Gary Neville and Luke Littler. Charman Craig Doughty said: 'Sometimes being rubbish at football really pays off. 'While it sounds funny to say it, being crowned the Best Worst Team is honestly the best thing that ever happened to us. 'We were struggling to get a team together last season and we were on a 17-0 losing run. "Team morale was at an all-time low, and we were close to folding the club. 'But this money-can't buy experience surpassed all our expectations – it was on another level. "It's given everyone such a boost, and we actually started seeing better performances on the pitch. 'The whole community is still buzzing, and we've got loads of new players joined for the new season." TOP 20 MOST MEMORABLE FOOTBALL MOMENTS EVER Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal vs England (1986) Luis Suárez biting Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup (2014) David Beckham's red card for kicking Diego Simeone (1998) Frank Lampard's disallowed goal vs Germany – despite the ball clearly crossing the line (2010) Brazil's 7–1 World Cup semi-final defeat at home to Germany (2014) Thierry Henry's handball vs Ireland in World Cup qualifying (2009) Rivaldo's fake injury theatrics against Turkey – getting a player sent off by feigning a face injury (2002) Carlos Tevez refusing to come on as a substitute for Manchester City (2011) The Battle of Nuremberg – Portugal vs Netherlands World Cup clash featuring 4 red cards and 16 yellows (2006) The beach ball goal – Darren Bent's strike for Sunderland deflecting off an inflatable (2009) Kieron Dyer and Lee Bowyer sent off for fighting each other as Newcastle teammates (2005) Gazza's dentist chair celebration (1996) The phantom goal scored by Reading against Watford that went through the side netting (2008) Jimmy Glass, a goalkeeper, saves Carlisle from relegation with a 94th minute goal (1999) Rene Higuita's scorpion kick (1995) Ronnie Rosenthal's open goal miss for Liverpool (1992) Graham Poll issuing three yellow cards to Josip Šimunić before sending him off (2006) Loris Karius' double howler in the Champions League final (2018) 19. Robert Green's goalkeeping howler gifting the USA a goal in the World Cup (2010) 20. Graeme Souness plants a Galatasaray flag on Fenerbahçe's pitch (1996) 6 'Team morale was at an all-time low, and we were close to folding the club' 6 Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal vs England (1986) was first in poll Credit: Getty 6 78 per cent of fans say unforgettable moments – fair or not – make football truly iconic


Irish Times
3 hours ago
- Irish Times
Former All Black Brad Thorn has just one regret: he never played against the Lions
Brad Thorn achieved pretty much everything over the course of his truly extraordinary career. Famously, when completing a short-term deal with Leinster at the end of the 2011-12 season, Thorn became the first player ever to win the World Cup, Super Rugby and Heineken Cup. But there was one thing he never did, and it remains the biggest regret of his career. He never played against the Lions. It was a case of timing, for this New Zealand-born resident of Queensland – who played for the Kangaroos and the All Blacks – had returned to Rugby League with the Brisbane Broncos when the Lions visited New Zealand in 2005. 'I remember playing the Springboks in 2009 and they'd had a good ding-dong battle with the Lions. We played them in South Africa in two Tests straight after it. We're 100-year-old rivals. Usually, it's like a war but the first Test in Bloemfontein just felt flat. The energy just wasn't there. It fell flat on our side and they had a flatness too because the Lions are every 12 years for the host nation. It's such a big deal and they had put everything into it. 'You wouldn't be able to say that about many Springboks-All Blacks Tests. It just shows the emotion and the importance of a Lions tour, and that was a pretty classic series in '09.' READ MORE Thorn put his name forward to play the Lions in their warm-up match in Hong Kong in 2013 but was turned down, and thus it remained an unfulfilled ambition. So now he's a fan, like so many others. 'The Lions are big in Great Britain and Ireland, but they're huge in the southern hemisphere too. This is something that's got Aussie rugby excited for some time. It's huge, the history of it, and the thing that makes it so cool is the Lions fans. They travel so well.' Fans at the Australia v British & Irish Lions match in Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, on July 19th. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho Thorn was in the Suncorp Stadium – just five minutes from where he lives – last Saturday, and believes the Wallabies will be significantly better in this second Test with that game under their belts and with the return of Rob Valetini. 'He's a go-forward guy. You need that in the Test arena. You've got to have the artillery. You know the old saying, don't take a knife to a gunfight.' Thorn is also glad Tom Lynagh has been retained as the Wallabies outhalf as he is a player he coached through the Queensland Reds set-up since the age of 17. [ Joe Schmidt plots unlikely Lions scalp amid feeling of 'now or never' for Australian rugby Opens in new window ] 'I know his father and I'm so proud of him, mate, and so much respect for him. I just love the story. He could have played in Europe, but he came back to the other side of the world, where his name is legendary. That's a heavy name to carry, Lynagh. 'You meet Michael, you can't help being a little bit in awe. 'Noddy' is a legend over here and a real gentleman. Tom could have stayed in Europe but came and within a couple of weeks I had him when I took the boys to military camp, which are brutal; food deprivation, sleep deprivation, in the heat and bush of Queensland. And he got a bit of banter about his accent but he put his head down and got through that. 'He's a very skilful guy. Very similar to his father. He looks like a soft-faced boy, but he will put his body on the line. He loves to run the footy but when I was the Reds coach, I thought he had the best kicking game in Australia, just like his dad.' Australia's Tom Lynagh with his father Michael after the first Test against Lions on July 19th. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho The Lions have grown and shown more cohesion with each game, even allowing for last Tuesday's match. But for the Wallabies to have a chance of levelling the series, Thorn believes Lynagh was the right choice at outhalf. 'If I'm playing them, I want to play in the right end of the field. You wouldn't be mucking around too long in your own half. To do that you need to have an outhalf with a good kicking game and Tom's kicking game can be a strength for Australia.' Thorn is now an assistant coach with Brisbane Boys' College and believes that at grassroots level rugby union is still healthy. 'I don't think the playing numbers are too much different between league and union in Queensland. It might be 50,000 rugby/60,000 league, but as well as being 23 years since Australia's last Bledisloe Cup no Australian team has reached a Super Rugby final since 2014. 'You think about that, mate. You're trying to have heroes, you're trying to sell a game. You need to have some wins, you need to at least have teams in the final.' He describes Rugby Australia's decision to get rid of the National Rugby Championship as 'crazy', adding: 'You've got to have that level, in my opinion.' Thorn speaks with vast experience, and can reflect on an exceptional 23-year playing career which encompassed two spells at the Brisbane Broncos from 1994 to 2000 and from 2006 to 2007, and two stints in rugby union from 2001 to 2004 to 2016. New Zealand's Brad Thorn celebrates victory against France at the 2011 Rugby World Cup final at Eden Park, Auckland. Photograph:In league he was part of three grand final title wins and played in the State of Origin series and for Australia. In union, he was part of the aforementioned treble title wins, playing 59 times for the All Blacks, and had fruitful stints in New Zealand, Australia, Japan, England and Ireland. 'I loved it. I just thank God for how that all played out. Basically, if you look at it, I had 10 years at the Broncos, with all those experiences, and then I had about 10 or so years in rugby. So I almost got to have two careers. I got to do them both.' [ Brad Thorn to return to top-class rugby at age 41 Opens in new window ] Thorn played until he was 41 and attributes his longevity to his assiduous preparation, something which his then Leinster team-mates still reference. He actually loved preseason and was fortunate to largely avoid injuries, unlike his brother. 'He got all the injuries I didn't get and had to stop playing as a young guy.' When playing with Leicester at the age of 40, Thorn was doing an hour's preparation before training, and then 'a foam roller, full-body stretch and a hot-cold shower after every training'. Paul O'Connell was one of those who rang Thorn to seek advice. 'A great, great guy. My message to him was, by that stage in your career, you become the expert of your own body. You listen to all the physios and doctors, and you are the best-placed guy to know where your body's at and what it needs.' If Thorn left a lasting imprint on Leinster in his three months and eight games for the province in 2012, the reverse is also true. Leinster's Brad Thorn with the trophy following their Heineken Cup Final defeat of Ulster at Twickenham in May 2012. Photograph:'I had a coffee with Joe [Schmidt] and Mike Cron a few days ago and we were talking fondly about those times. That's one of the highlights of my career. It was an absolute joy. I just felt like I connected so well, and they took me in, and my mindset was, 'Wherever I go, I'm there to serve. I'll give everything I have on and off the field, and more than what you asked for.' 'And I had great times, great battles; the game in Bordeaux against Claremont,' he added, signalling out that epic 19-15 semi-final win. 'Yeah, we went to war against them. They had internationals on the bench and we had players like Gordon D'Arcy and Brian O'Driscoll, Leo Cullen and Cian Healy, and also Seán O'Brien. 'We loved Ireland. Me and my wife still talk about it because my wife's heritage is half Irish and half Maltese.' On retiring in 2016, Thorn and Mary-Anne returned home to Brisbane with their four children, Brendan (who is now 21), Aiden (20), David (18) and Neva (16). On foot of coaching Queensland Country to the NRC title in 2017, he became the head coach of the Reds in advance of the 2018 season. They had finished 14th the season before and made steady progress in Thorn's six seasons at the helm, finishing seventh and eighth in 2022 and 2023 before losing quarter-finals away to the Chiefs and eventual champions the Crusaders. He had intended to stop coaching altogether but was persuaded by former Samoan international Dan Leo to be an assistant coach at Brisbane Boys' College, where he is now in his second season. 'I have four children and wherever I went, they went. We didn't leave them behind,' says Thorn, who made a vow that he and his family would stay in Brisbane until at least Neva finishes high school. 'It's been a reverse of what everyone else does. Usually you start in schools, go to a club, and then you go to the next level. I was like a baby thrown into a pool, trying to keep my head above water and learning as I went,' he says of his time with the Reds. 'I gave it my best effort and I like to think it was left in a better place when I finished. 'Les Kiss has done a good job now and I'm enjoying doing the coaching I'm doing. I'm doing other things as well and having a bit more fun with my family because as a head coach, it consumes you. It's not a nine-to-five gig, mate, but thank God I got that opportunity and we'll see what happens going forward.' Growing up in New Zealand, he had liked going to church, but his family stopped doing so for a few years after moving to Australia when he was nine. His parents and brother went back seven or eight years later and, encouraged by a good friend and Australian rugby league team-mate Jason Stephens, Thorn followed suit at the age of 23. 'Where my body is as a Christian, it perfectly aligns with a team sport. Because rugby is team first. It's not the individual first, it's the team, and caring about your mates and serving the team, and having humility. 'So, I thank Him for what you say is that great career, and getting to play all over the world. I'm so fortunate. I'm so grateful.'