The Kiwi continues to impress.
The PRO12 returned at the weekend after a three-week hiatus which catered for the international fixtures that took place throughout November.
Munster, Connacht, Leinster and Ulster were all hoping that the inspiring performances of the national team would carry into the provincial set-ups as all four enter the most congested period of the domestic calendar.
Munster Rugby 46 – 3 Benetton Treviso
Munster, who are facing into the thankless task of playing nine games over the next nine weeks, were rampant in Thomond Park as they put seven tries on a hapless Treviso side.
This included a brace of tries each from both Andrew Conway and Ronan O’Mahony.
Man-of-the-match Tyler Bleyendaal, who continues his great form this season, put in a masterful display, the highlight of which was a deft cross-field kick to set up Munster’s third try.
The Kiwi excellently recognised that the Treviso winger had taken up a narrow defensive position. Bleyendaal then unleashed an inch-perfect cross-field ball which Ronan O’Mahony did well to take at full-tilt.
The defending winger brought O’Mahony to ground but the Limerick-man did well to offload to the supporting Conway, who used his blistering pace to get away for Munster’s third try of the game.
This win brings Munster to the top of the PRO12 table.
You can see highlights of this victory below.
Connacht Rugby 18 – 7 Cardiff Blues
Connacht climbed to eighth in the PRO12 standings with their third win of the campaign.
The Westerners were desperate for a victory after returning to action on the back of defeats to Leinster and the Newport-Gwent Dragons.
Man-of-the-match John Muldoon, was in inspired form, securing a number of turnovers for his side throughout the game.
Yet another turnover for @JohnMuldoon8. Having a great game #CRlive #Connacht #CONvCAR
— Seán McMahon (@Sean_McMahon89) November 25, 2016
The captain was also involved in his side’s second try.
After a scintillating break from Niyi Adeolokun, Muldoon spread the ball wide where Bundee Aki touched down in the corner after an excellent offload from Tiernan O’Halloran.
Connacht are up against Treviso next week where they will be looking to win consecutive PRO12 matches for the first time this season.
Llanelli Scarlets 38 – 29 Leinster Rugby
Leinster suffered their second loss of the campaign and in the process surrendered their place at the summit of the PRO12 table as they conceded five tries in Wales.
Leinster made things difficult for themselves as they had Mike McCarthy sin-binned in the first half for the successive concession of scrum penalties.
However, the Irish side were rocked even further when winger Barry Daly was given a red card for taking out a man in the air at the beginning of the second half.
You can see the incident below.
It was clearly accidental from the Leinster youngster but careless all the same.
The fact that the Scarlets player clearly hits his head off the ground made the revealing of a red card all the less surprising.
Leinster showed great determination and fight to come away with a try-scoring bonus point after finding themselves 35-8 down in the second half.
Leinster outscored the Scarlets by three converted tries to a lone penalty in the closing stages of the game.
Ulster Rugby v Zebre
Unfortunately for the Ravenhill faithful this game was postponed after a late inspection by the referee revealed the pitch was frozen in certain areas.
The late decision was met with some anger from Ulster fans.
could've announced this earlier. Instead of letting people travel to the stadium from all parts of the country
— ian.i.am↙️ (@IJW_RFC_55) November 25, 2016
State of the art stadium ?? Known all week that the temp was to dip no plan to keep the pitch playable no excuse in modern game
— Don_ THFC 🟨🟪 (@Dnannery) November 25, 2016
Some fans were happy, however, as a night in front of the fire was on the cards.
that's a night for beer in front of the fire pete! 🍻🔥
— Phil (@fed_up_phil) November 25, 2016
Ulster who, like Connacht, suffered back-to-back defeats in their more recent PRO12 fixtures, will be desperate to get a win under their belt and hopefully build some momentum.
They are away to the Cardiff Blues next Saturday.
Dick Clerkin makes his GAA Hour debut to talk about a wonderful career and argue passionately with Colm Parkinson over Sky Sports GAA. Subscribe here on iTunes.
