Munster 21-19 Crusaders
In front of a sellout crowd at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Munster held off Super Rugby champions Crusaders to win a match billed as the 'Clash of Champions' on Saturday evening.
Two first half tries from Gavin Coombes put Munster in command, the visitors weakened by Quentin Strange's sin-binning. Scrum-half Mitch Drummond scored a breakaway try to keep the tourists in touch, trailing 14-7 at the break.
Inside centre Dallas McLeod tied up the match heading into the final quarter. Munster mounted another surge, pummelling the New Zealanders into submission until Scott Buckley forced his way over to make it 21-14 on 70 minutes.
Crusaders, now led by ex-Munster head coach Rob Penney since Scott Robertson departed for the All Blacks, looked to have snatched a draw at the death, Jamie Hannah grounding the ball with the clock in the red.
However, replacement kicker Rivez Reihana missed the last-gasp conversion attempt and Munster wound up 21-19 winners in their second match - and win - at the Cork venue.
