Munster fans enraged over ‘cheeky’ wink in epic shoot-out loss

They didn't go down easy.

They went out on their shields, as they always seem to do in the biggest of games, against the Sharks, in a game that literally went right to the wire.

With the sides level after 80 minutes, the game went to extra-time, and after a charged-down drop-goal attempt from Jordan Hendrikse just before the extra-time interval, the sides were still level at 24-24 and the game went to a place-kicking shoot-out.

Ultimately, the Sharks won 6-4, with Munster centre Rory Scannell missing his kick.

But there was huge controversy when Jordan Hendrikse went down with cramp before Jack Crowley was to take his second kick.

As one of his side's three designated kickers, Hendrikse had been warned after his first kick for chirping at Crowley.

When the Munster out-half went to take his second, head coach John Plumtree and other staff came onto the field to help Hendrikse with his injury.

An angered Crowley didn't take too kindly to a wink from the South African and despite his protestations was not allowed take his kick while Hendrikse was being attended to.

Munster fans on social media were enraged over the player's actions.

It was the last game for their province for Conor Murray, Peter O'Mahony, and Stephen Archer.

After the game, interim head coach, Ian Costello, said: “Those three are exceptional people and legends of Munster rugby.

“And they’ve left, or they will leave, a massive legacy behind. That's going to be very difficult for us to live up to and fill, but that's what you want.

“You want somebody to leave it in a better place. And they've left the jersey in an unbelievably good place. Now it’s for everyone else in the dressing room, moving on to next year, to live up to that.

“There's also our team manager, Niall O'Donovan, who's an even longer servant of Munster rugby. It was his last game as well. The last few weeks have been pretty special in terms of making sure those boys got a good send-off, which is why tonight was particularly disappointing.”