All Blacks XV too strong for Munster in Limerick
The game was played in front of a sold-out crowd at Thomond Park
- Published
Munster: (12) 24
Tries: Haley, Hodnett, Farrell, Penalty try Cons: Butler
All Blacks XV: (14) 38
Tries: Lam, Fihaki, McAlister, Tupaea, Naholo, Plummer Cons: Plummer (4)
An All Blacks XV proved too strong for Munster as they won 38-24 in an exciting exhibition game at Thomond Park.
After a dominant start by the visitors which resulted in two tries, Munster fought back to within two points at half-time.
The two sides continued to trade scores in an enthralling second half in front of a sold-out crowd in Limerick.
The All Blacks then registered two late tries to stave off Munster and hold on for the victory.
Munster were playing their first game since head coach Graham Rowntree departed and were put under pressure early by the visitors.
The first try did not arrive until 23 minutes however, with AJ Lam crossing from close range to open the scoring and Harry Plummer adding the extras from the tee.
Five minutes later they extended their advantage as Chay Fihaki crossed out on the right-hand side, with Plummer converting.
Munster, who won 27-14 in the last meeting between the sides in 2016, weathered the storm and responded as Mike Haley got over the line after collecting a pass from Tom Farrell.
Rory Scannell was off target with the conversion.
They were then awarded a penalty try in the last action of the half after good work in the line-out and maul to bring them back to within touching distance of the All Blacks.
Munster fight back but fall short
Haley celebrates scoring Munster's opening try
All Blacks captain Du'Plessis Kirifi thought he had added to his side's lead when he touched down on the left-hand side soon after the restart.
The try was ruled out by the TMO after a knock-on in the build-up, but they weren't to be denied for long as Brodie McAlister touched down a third try after a driving maul.
Plummer nailed his third successive conversion to stretch their lead.
Munster continued to fight back and got another try on 50 minutes with John Hodnett scoring after good work in the maul, but Rory Scannell was once again wayward with his kick.
Quinn Tupaea crossed for the All Blacks' fourth try, although Plummer was off target with the conversion.
Munster replied through Tom Farrell, who dotted down after a quick break from Rory Scannell and Tony Butler added the extras.
As they began to tire the All Blacks capitalised when Kini Naholo crossed on 76, with Plummer converting.
Plummer then scored an interception try as the clock ticked into the red, adding the conversion too with the last action of the game.
Munster: Mike Haley; Shay McCarthy, Tom Farrell, Rory Scannell, Diarmuid Kilgallen; Billy Burns, Ethan Coughlan; John Ryan, Diarmuid Barron (capt), Stephen Archer; Fineen Wycherley, Tom Ahern; Peter O'Mahony, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Niall Scannell, Kieran Ryan, Ronan Foxe, Evan O'Connell, Ruadhán Quinn, Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler, Ben O'Connor.
All Blacks XV: Finlay Christie, Harry Plummer, Kini Naholo, Quinn Tupaea, AJ Lam, Chay Fihaki, Shaun Stevenson; George Bower, Brodie McAlister, George Dyer, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Fabian Holland, Oliver Haig, Du'Plessis Kirifi (capt), Devan Flanders.
Replacements: Bradley Slater, Xavier Numia, Marcel Renata, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Corey Kellow, Noah Hotham, Josh Jacomb, Ruben Love.