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CJ Stander’s late try secured another win for Munster against Edinburgh at the Guinness PRO14 in Thomond Park on Saturday night for two wins out of two at the start of the season.
Video | Interview with Craig Casey
Greencore Munster Rugby Academy outpointed midfielder Ben Healy converted for the victory and also kicked six penalties in another great performance from the tee.
Healy put Munster into a 6-0 lead after six minutes. An Edinburgh maul offense and a great job on Jeremy Loughman’s breakup earned him both chances with Healy picking up from where he left off last week.
Edinburgh scored the first try in the 12th minute when his maul came to a short halt, but center Mark Bennett dived through a gap to score. Jaco van der Walt converted and the visitors led 7-6.
Jack O’Donoghue was almost ready for Munster’s first attempt when Rory Scannell kicked behind the Edinburgh defense, but Damian Hoyland barely landed before the wing grabbed the ball with his hand.
Munster returned to the front via Healy’s third penalty after a dangerous tackle from Edinburgh as Munster led 9-7 after 20 minutes.
Andrew Conway was very close to going in when he passed the Edinburgh defense down the right wing, but the winger’s second shot was too central and Hoyland was able to recover.
Edinburgh was next to score after a sustained period of pressure at Munster 22 with WP Nel firing up and Van der Walt’s conversion made it 14-9.
A clever show-and-go from man of the match Craig Casey brought Munster back on the attack and Healy shot his fourth penalty at the edge of the break after a heavy fumble from Tadhg Beirne as Munster trailed 14-12 at the break.
A fantastic recovery inning by Conway over George Taylor prevented a third attempt by Edinburgh with Rhys Marshall in place to regain possession when Taylor pitched.
Van der Walt scored points on the board for the visitors soon after, however Munster was penalized for an offside and Edinburgh led 17-12 after 49 minutes.
Healy struck back four minutes later with his fifth penalty and the half out put Munster ahead with his sixth after Van der Walt tackled it high.
Edinburgh’s outside half were knocked out for sin and Munster’s outside half kicked Munster into an 18-17 lead after 58 minutes.
Bennett kicked Edinburgh back to the front after a very dangerous counterattack with Munster pinging for an offside as we trailed 20-18 after 66 minutes.
Outstanding work in breaking replacement James Cronin gave Munster another penalty shot shortly before the 70-minute mark, but Healy was off target.
Van der Walt took his third penalty in the 74th minute after Munster was offside as they chased Healy’s punt.
Healy kicked Munster into the corner a minute later after Edinburgh was penalized in the breakout and the province was patient and clinical going through the phases with Stander landing.
Healy made no mistakes with the vital conversion to put Munster ahead 27-25 and despite a nervous final minutes, Munster pulled off another late win.
Guinness PRO14 Round 2 Summary
Craig Casey was awarded the man of the match.
Tommy O’Donnell missed an HIA in the first half and will be monitored by the medical team.
Two players from the Greencore Munster Rugby Academy showed up: Ben Healy and John Hodnett.
Summer addition Matt Gallagher made his senior debut at Munster on the wing with prop Roman Salanoa also making his senior bow from the bench.
Munster: Mike Haley; Andrew Conway, Alex McHenry (Dan Goggin, 50), Rory Scannell, Matt Gallagher; Ben Healy, Craig Casey (Conor Murray, 63); Jeremy Loughman (James Cronin, 54), Rhys Marshall (Kevin O’Byrne, 63), John Ryan (Roman Salanoa, 72); Fineen Wycherley (Gavin Coombes, 60), Tadhg Beirne; Jack O’Donoghue, Tommy O’Donnell (John Hodnett, 31), CJ Stander (C).
Unused replacement: Jack Crowley.
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