Munster begin PRO14 season with bonus point win over Cheetahs

Munster got their Guinness PRO14 season off to a winning start thanks to a 38-0 win against the Toyota Cheetahs in front of a 12,265 strong crowd at Thomond Park.

First half tries from Rory Scannell and Dave Kilcoyne put Munster in firm control, while Tommy O’Donnell, JJ Hanrahan, Dave O’Callaghan and Darren Sweetnam crossed after the break to complete the routine win.

The Cheetahs had most of the early possession and should have went in front through a Tian Schoeman penalty from straight in front after three minutes but he skewed his effort wide.

Sweetnam then lit up the Thomond Park crown with a superb break and offload to Scannell as Munster tried to get into the game.

A powerful break from Tommy O’Donnell and then excellent footwork from Mike Haley brought Munster into the Cheetahs ’22 for the first time on 12 minutes but some excellent Bernhard Janse van Rensburg defending earned the away side a penalty.

Munster’s attacking prowess was eventually rewarded when Haley launched a counter after a poor Malcolm Jaer kick. JJ Hanrahan then gave possession to Sweetnam, who broke away down the right.

With Hanrahan inside and Scannell on his flank, Sweetnam had plenty of options as he carried into the ’22 but he chose correctly on his right and Scannell powered over to put Munster 5-0 ahead.

Sweetnam was the star throughout the first half and another brilliant bit of play almost saw him go over in the left corner but Maxwane and Small-Smith stopped him just short.

A second try wasn’t long in coming, however, as Munster began to take control as the first half wore on. Arno Botha’s initial break put Munster deep in Cheetahs territory.

A penalty followed after John Ryan knocked on over the line and after Billy Holland opted to kick for the corner, Botha first went within inches of scoring but Kilcoyne made no mistake from the next phase. Hanrahan added the extras to put Munster 12-0 ahead.

Botha was exceptional along with Sweetnam in the opening 40 minutes. The burly South African made serious yards with every possession and is sure to become a fans favourite, if he isn’t already.

The Cheetahs made the brighter start of the teams to the second half and almost got a try on the board in the 43rd minute when Jaer began a move in his own half.

The ball eventually came back his way after a Maxwane break but the Cheetahs full back was denied by a last ditch Daly tackle. Schoeman then missed another sitter in front of the posts.

https://twitter.com/eirSport/status/1035941339630850048

That miss was punished to the full with Munster coming down the other end with O’Donnell going over and putting Munster 17 points clear following good work from Neil Cronin.

Billy Holland thought he had secured the fourth try and bonus point just after the hour after another disguised Cronin pass but the score was ruled out for a knock on by the Munster captain.

It mattered little as Hanrahan was soon in for the fourth try after slick hands from both forwards and backs. He finished the move with a deft step off his left. He then added the extras to put Munster 24-0 up.

Joey Carbery also made his debut off the bench and set up Dave O’Callaghan’s try with a skip pass and the rout was concluded by Sweetnam’s intercept try and

Munster: Mike Haley; Darren Sweetnam, Dan Goggin, Rory Scannell, Shane Daly; JJ Hanrahan, Neil Cronin; Dave Kilcoyne, Mike Sherry, John Ryan; Jean Kleyn, Billy Holland (C); Dave O’Callaghan, Tommy O’Donnell, Arno Botha.

Replacements: Rhys Marshall, Brian Scott, Stephen Archer, Darren O’Shea, Gavin Coombes, James Hart, Joey Carbery, Sammy Arnold.

Cheetahs: Malcolm Jaer; Sibhale Maxwane, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Nico Lee, William Small-Smith; Tian Schoeman, Shaun Venter; Ox Nche, Jacques du Toit, Luan de Bruin; Justin Basson, JP du Preez; Junior Pokomela, Oupa Mohoje (C), Jasper Wiese.

Replacements: Joseph Dweba, Charles Marais, Johan Coetzee, Walt Steenkamp, Aidon Davis, Tian Meyer, Ernst Stapelberg, Ryno Eksteen.

Referee: Dan Jones (WRU)