Rokocoko saves All Blacks’ blushes
19 Nov 2008
A late Joe Rokocoko try broke Munster Hearts as the All Blacks came from behind to win 18-16 at Thomond Park.
Doug Howlett, Rua Tipoki, Lifeimi Mafi and Jeremy Manning took centre stage before a capacity crowd in Limerick, performing a haka as the All Blacks stood respectfully on halfway.
The All Blacks, lead by captain Piri Weepu, then answered the challenge with their own rendition of Ka Mate.
When the game finally got under way, it was Munster who started the better of the two sides.
Flyhalves Paul Warwick and Stephan Donald exchanged penalties, before the the Australian popped over a brilliant 35m drop goal to give his side 9-3 lead after 21 minutes.
However, the All Blacks responded immediately as Donald popped over a penalty and just a minute later some good work by Isaia Toeava had Donald diving the line for the first try of the game.
Munster though were hungry and struck back late in the first half through winger Barry Murphy and Warwick added the extras to give the Irish club outfit a 16-10 lead at the break.
Donald narrowed the gap with a penalty five minutes into the second half, but then missed two more opportunities – keeping the Munster dream alive.
The Munster defence stood strong and New Zealand were forced to go to their bench in the final 20 minutes to try and turn the result around.
Then came the moment that broke Munster hearts. From a lineout the ball was carried up in a well constructed maul before substitute Mils Muliaina put Rokocoko in space. The winger stepped past Howlett, the man whose try-scoring record he is chasing, and powered over the line to deny the Heineken Cup Champs.
Munster - Try: Murphey. Convs: Warwick. Pens: Warwick (2). Drop: Warwick.
New Zealand – Tries: Donald, Rokocoko. Convs:Donald. Pens: Donald (2).
51 Comments
19 Nov 2008, 07:11 am
Long live the proud tradition of the Haka.
Thank goodness it is not South African as they would remove it like the beloved Springbok.
19 Nov 2008, 07:17 am
# tight head: So true, why cant SARU just tell the ministers and players that want’s to keep dragging politics into sport to phark off.
What actual hold have they got on them?
19 Nov 2008, 07:49 am
Lets see if the All Blacks supporters call for Henry’s head just cos they lost by less than 5.
19 Nov 2008, 08:02 am
Wow, what an amazing game. I tuned in just before half time and couldn’t believe the score. Great advert for club rugby. I know Munster is a professional club but they had many youngsters from their academy and they sure showed guts and determination. Great game!
19 Nov 2008, 08:46 am
Oh no Rokocoko is back on form….this guy is scary good.
19 Nov 2008, 09:06 am
Wish i could have seen this game!
19 Nov 2008, 10:46 am
Stephen Donald is incredibly average…
19 Nov 2008, 11:12 am
What a showpiece of a game, considering that Munster had ten players who were not regular “starting players”, but young academy players.
Amazing that Henry had to bring on his entire (strength) bench in order to win the game.
But the biggest “Shout Out” has to go to the Munster Supporters!
You could hear a pin drop in the stadium when either side kicked for posts – they have my total respect.
In fact the dead stillness, I believe, was the reason Stephan Donald missed so many kicks – he suddenly was aware of every set of eyes boring into him in deathly silence – must have sent shivers up his spine.
Lastly, respect to the All Blacks for coming back onto the pitch at the end of the game to applaud the Munster Supporters.
The IRB should use this game to promote real “sportmanship”
19 Nov 2008, 11:13 am
2 . Blouste – did u watch the game ? Probably not thats why you hopping on about some **** that had nothing to do with the game …
19 Nov 2008, 11:36 am
#6 billy: Next time try myp2p.eu, if you have no access to the TV or to a specific cable channel to watch the game – there is quite high probability it will be broadcasted there.
#8 Trigger: Indeed, I was very impressed by the Munster but frankly, that was not a too big surprise, they are currently European champions for a reason. And atmosphere there was incredible. Especially when the ABs themselves had to face haka.
19 Nov 2008, 11:50 am
Well the ABs got out of jail.
But only just.
Munster, you did yourselves, and your supporters proud.
What a difference Brad Thorn made when he came on.
I hope Stephen Donald enjoys this Tour………….because he won’t be going on any others.
19 Nov 2008, 11:55 am
#3 anderkantdiewater:
Why??
Its not us having probs with a coach at the moment.
#8 Trigger:
It was a good game both sides were missing there players or not picked for the game.NZ had about 4-5 new caps and what a game to play them in,they got a real taste.
19 Nov 2008, 11:57 am
chokers chokers chokers. chokers cant even win convincingly against a average 2nd grade club team with their best team. RWC champs rule world rugby
19 Nov 2008, 12:01 pm
#13 WindhoekBokkeFan:
Yeah cool,but still beat the boks last year and this year so who cares what you think.
And by the way Munster are not a second grade team and NZ did not have there #1 team on loser
19 Nov 2008, 12:07 pm
#13 WindhoekBokkeFan:
Honestly guys this is the reason why parents should keep an eye out for there kids when surfing on the net.
19 Nov 2008, 12:08 pm
the all blacks are regressing and their coach is useless and they are no longer allowed playing under the silver fern.
and coming from behing to win has got nothing to do with character. they suck.
lmfao
19 Nov 2008, 12:08 pm
#14 Hurricane: Shut up and choke
19 Nov 2008, 12:10 pm
#17 WindhoekBokkeFan:
Shhh i think mummy should change your nappies little loser
19 Nov 2008, 12:11 pm
#16 JUSM:
lol
19 Nov 2008, 12:12 pm
They played one pahse of proper rugby and it won them the game, they must continue down this path lol.
19 Nov 2008, 12:14 pm
If that game wasn`t an advert for bringing back full blown tours then nothing will be. What an amazing game and what spirit shown by Munster. I thought the rugby was awesome. Much better than most of the test matches we`ve been forced to watch lately.
19 Nov 2008, 12:15 pm
#18 Hurricane: Whats that? cant hear you from 7th place. RWC CHAMPS 07, we cant be beaten
19 Nov 2008, 12:15 pm
#16 JUSM: That applies to SA-Scotland game and of course to SA-NZ game in Dunedin too?
19 Nov 2008, 12:15 pm
#22 WindhoekBokkeFan: 0-19
19 Nov 2008, 12:15 pm
#13 WindhoekBokkeFan: You really are making an arse of yourself now! That was not the AB’s A team
Anway, what a great game to watch…. those Munster boys really gave it their all, AB were lucky to have sneaked in a win
19 Nov 2008, 12:18 pm
Well done to the Munster kiwis too. You did your club proud and your country proud.
19 Nov 2008, 12:18 pm
I really doubt if the Boks on current form would have beaten Munster !
19 Nov 2008, 12:18 pm
#20 wls1:
lol,i hope not
#21 Tony Moneo:
It would be nice to see Boks vs Canterbury or Wellington etc once in a while.
Honestly from my point of view the rugby from NZ was ****.Munster played the better game i thought,but you could just tell that if the ABs got there back line going then it would have been more tries but it didnt happen,whether it was pressure from Munster or the new caps just were not up to it or a bit of both.
19 Nov 2008, 12:19 pm
#25 Tisme: Frankly, this was not Munster A team either, and that just underlines how strong this team really is.
19 Nov 2008, 12:20 pm
#22 WindhoekBokkeFan:
Cant be beaten,you must have missed 4 games in the Tri Nations then.Go to bed little one,your embarrasing the real South Africans that respect rugby
19 Nov 2008, 12:21 pm
#28 Hurricane: Yip, I agree. I`m pretty tired of the same old Trinations nonsense. I`m a big fan of the tours of old, where youngsters are thrown into the mix and some sink and some swim.
Hopefully the talk of tours being brought back will not be just talk.
19 Nov 2008, 12:21 pm
#24 Nils: 20-18
19 Nov 2008, 12:22 pm
#22 WindhoekBokkeFan: He said 19-0
19 Nov 2008, 12:22 pm
#29 Nils: Yeah quite impressive, if the Munster guys vere fitter they would have won, you always new in the end the experience of the bench would pull them through with all the Munster youngsters cramping up…. and boy, i’ve not seen a game played at that pace in a long time
19 Nov 2008, 12:23 pm
#33 paulynz:
He hasnt got it yet,give him time
19 Nov 2008, 12:25 pm
#29 Nils:
I could see there A team playing a bit better but i thought this team Munster put out were very good and played above themselves,great stuff.
19 Nov 2008, 12:26 pm
#32 WindhoekBokkeFan: oooh FFS, we won the WC in 2007…. this is 2008, we are nowhere near the 2007 team on performance under old Helium….. the Bokke cant even convincingly beat a second grade Scotland team
Its idiots like you that cant appreciate a good game of rugga ……and the sportsmanship at the end is why we love this game…. aargh fkt i give up
19 Nov 2008, 12:29 pm
#17 WindhoekBokkeFan:
Some might think coming back from always trailling in a match, away from home, to the Heineken Cup Champions…..to winning in the last 2mins
is not everyones idea of ‘choking’.
Others may not.
#31 Tony Moneo:
If this match was not an utterly compelling argument for the return of tours, then nothing will be.
I was interested to speak to many people today who, not being able to find ANY tv-coverage on a UK channel (and I have about 10 dedicated sports channels), tuned in to Irish radio to listen to the broadcast via the net. It was heart-stopping and passionate and wonderful. Tours rock !
19 Nov 2008, 12:36 pm
#38 BlackPanther: Spot on BlackPanther.
19 Nov 2008, 12:40 pm
I watched the game and despite the low try count it was very entertaining.It goes to show what a team hopelessly outclassed but playing with pride,passion and crowd support can do when the opposition expects to show up and win….just like what happened to our 2nd stringers in the wc last year hey boys.
Having said that,Liam Messam must definately be on the verge of a starting spot in the A team,just needs to try and offload sooner instead of going to ground once he has broken 2 or 3 tackles…
Whoever decided against midweek games needs only to watch last nights game to see the value to the players and supporters….
19 Nov 2008, 12:46 pm
#7 Kietzphat:
I think youre being grossly flattering.
19 Nov 2008, 13:09 pm
#36 Hurricane: Very good indeed. I think that currently full-strenght Munster team is stronger than any national team in Europe bar, perhaps, France.
19 Nov 2008, 13:11 pm
#32 WindhoekBokkeFan: what is your point? I was replying to a statement, that world champs cannot be beaten. Frankly, not only they can be beaten, but they get the lashings on pretty regular basis.
19 Nov 2008, 13:19 pm
Some provincial/club players made their names in these midweek games against touring test teams,I remember not knowing who Breyton Paulse was until I saw him give the AB,s a hard time when they played Boland(I think?) many years ago and not long after that he cracked a bok squad call up….Like someone said earlier its a sink or swim mentality when these youngsters have a go against the worlds best and every now and then someone swims like a fish!…
19 Nov 2008, 14:32 pm
#23 Nils: that would pretty much be my point yes.
19 Nov 2008, 14:39 pm
#14 Hurricane: Well said Hurricane! And also a good one on #15 LOL
19 Nov 2008, 14:42 pm
#32 WindhoekBokkeFan: Dude, shut up now. You’re making an @rse of yourself
19 Nov 2008, 16:09 pm
#45 JUSM: Strange. I’d think teams without character usually do not come from behind – they just stay behind till the end.
19 Nov 2008, 19:12 pm
A great game to watch. As someone else pointed out better than any of the recent test matches. Munster played with a fury & kept up the pace. First time I’ve seen a NH team match the ABs in the rucks, thus they retained possession for long periods of time. Kudos to the crowd who showed great respect for the AB kicker with their absolute silence. Nice touch by the ABs when they applauded the crowd after the game. The atmosphere must have been terrific at the game. Thought that Munster were unlucky. No one could have complained if they won. Munster kept the pressure on & their defence was tough. Weepu was constantly harried at the base of the scrum & at the back of the rucks. I was surprised by Waldron who seemed to be a little lost at the rucks. Standing around, like a NH player, instead of cleaning people out & making things easier for Weepu. But a very enjoyable game, one the ABs will not forget, for the best of reasons. They attended a play earlier in the week based upon the famous game of 1978 against the ABs which as we know Munster won & received a 3 minute standing ovation from the audience, & that was before the game.
19 Nov 2008, 22:09 pm
gotta make the comment that this game was played under vastly different rules at ruck time.
the ref allowed players to enter the ruck from pretty much anywhere, he allowed players to constantly go off their feet and contest for the ball, he allowed players to encroach the offsides line at ruck time. this imo allowed the munster players to put a lot of pressure on weepu and thus unsettle all phase ball that donald received.
kudos to them, as the ABs took a while to adapt to this loose reffing.
the munster subs allowed the ABs back into the game too. they should have kept their 10 at 1st 5, and let manning play outside him. warrick (10) controlled the game well and set his backs away brilliantly. that combination with stringer dissapeared when tupoki left and manning came on causing the shift.
the game was about as fast as a test match, it was excellent spectacle!
20 Nov 2008, 07:55 am
Have to agree that ref was somewhat lax with the rucks but as you said the ABs should have adjusted earlier eg Waldron. Yeah the pace was past throughout & the game was really enjoyable. Must have given the Irish national team some food for thought. I gather the Munster members of the national team actually attended the game, a reversal of their original plan to stay in Dublin. Maybe the Irish coach needs to rethink about Stringer’s omission from the national squad?
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