Munster are putting together a decent season. We are only at the mid-point of it but there is a wave of momentum and goodwill behind them.
Leinster gambled with their team selection and it did not pan out their way. Leo Cullen tried to spread his internationals over this trip to Limerick and the upcoming home tie with Ulster but the plan back-fired.
Munster took all the spoils and most of the praise. Leinster left with nothing but gripes and regret.
Following Munster’s 29-17 victory, Rassie Erasmus, the province’s director of rugby, praised the spirit of his players and gave credit to the raucous home support.
Erasmus also had some good news for Munster fans that were so keen for South African centre Jaco Taute to stay on until the end of the season.
Asked for an update on the Taute situation – he was due to depart on December 31 – Erasmus told reporters:
“It’s not signed off but obviously as David [Nucifora, IRFU high performance director] mentioned last week we’re discussing it with both David and Western Province, or the Stormers, and on our side at Munster.
“We’ve officially requested that [Taute’s loan gets extended] and everybody knows we’ve lost Alex Wootton long-term, we’ve lost Bill Johnston long-term and now Darren Sweetnam tonight is a little bit of a doubt so, you know, Jaco played more than 90 games at fullback at first-class level and he’s covering places for us there.
“It’s not signed and sealed but we have to make sure, how do you say it, we cross the t’s and dot the i’s before we can officially say he’s with us but, yes, we’re discussing that with David.”
Those comments will be music to the ears of all Munster fans. The official confirmation should come before Munster take on Connacht in Galway.
And for the fans in attendance at Thomond Park last night, a glimpse of an exciting future.
Munster captain Evan O’Gorman presented with the U18 club trophy by Johnny HollandThings are looking up.
