Munster fall short in thriller against All Blacks XV

Munster 24-38 All Blacks XV

After a week they would hope to forget, this was a reminder of what Munster rugby is meant to be about.

With their backs against the wall and without a head coach after the departure of Graham Rowntree on Tuesday, the province brought an All Blacks XV all the way in a thrilling game at Thomond Park, which was only settled in the final few minutes.

On Thursday, interim head coach Ian Costello said he wanted his players to play the occasion and not just the game. While they ultimately came out the wrong side of a 38-24 scoreline, they played their part in a gripping occasion, one which any prospective head coach would be enticed by.

The scoreline is no reflection on what was an evenly balanced game right up to the final five minutes, as late breakaway tries for Kini Naholo and Harry Plummer put some gloss on the win for the tourists.

Heading into those final five minutes, Munster were just two behind at 26-24, and for parts of that final 20 minutes it looked like they may have been about to pull off a famous win in front of 26,267 supporters.

Peter O'Mahony may no longer be captain, but he’s no less of a leader, and was immense in his 40 minutes, setting the physical tone right from kick-off, while also forcing an All Black error which proved crucial to Munster’s two first half tries, with Mike Haley and a penalty try leaving them just 14-12 behind after an entertaining opening half.

Each time the All Blacks pulled clear, Munster reeled them in. Brodie McAllister and Quinn Tupaea’s third-quarter tries were cancelled out by the brilliant John Hodnett and Tom Farrell, which set up a tense final quarter before those late tries sealed the win for the visitors.

The first ten minutes were thoroughly