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'Bizarre end to the game': Castres flyhalf's puzzling decision
By Sam Smith
Munster's 19-13 win over the visiting Castres side on a weekend where many European games involving French teams were postponed ended in bizarre fashion when Castres flyhalf decided to end it.
Still within touching distance of the home side at six points adrift, Castres had possession around halfway and ball-in-hand to potentially play for the win. Instead, flyhalf Benjamin Urdapilleta decided to hoof the ball into touch from the base of the ruck and secure the loss.
His decision was met with confusion and disbelief, as fans questioned why the side didn't play for the win.
The match was a forgettable affair as both sides really failed to get going. Munster fans were unhappy with the performance despite being happy with the overall result, but theorised a better opponent may have embarrassed their side.
Munster built a 9-3 lead on the back of three first-half penalties before a try to Jack O'Donoghue opened up the game in Munster's favour to 16-3. The two sides traded penalties before a late Castres try with four minutes remaining gave the visitors a chance.
But Urdapilleta was happy to take a losing bonus point instead of trying for the win.
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Latest Comments
Trump is most definitely random.
In this context though we are talking about the tone of recent event’s on this websites articles, which came well before Trump was made a fool and retaliated. Surely you read the part were I said it’s unfortunate given that they’re trying to find new sponsorship right now?
Well year I couldn’t comment on that, haven’t watched league up their in yonks, but I’ll say the Prem sides I’ve seen in CC certainly match you’re description of them. Pro rugby here only had the summer window, so I’d imagine that helps a lot in terms of scoring though, as do South Africa’s hard grounds? The rugby is the rugby anyway, I was more interested in the broadcast quality perspective. France’s is unique right? Prem on BT used to have some pretty dour sideline analysis, but that was half due the look, being two guys standing on the side of the pitch at night in your winter talking about the game. SRP does that now but is full on ott.
Go to commentsRight. But are they actually doing anything to ever base themselves in the islands with a mostly Pi born roster?
Or are they just content to be a 6th NZ team, filling their squad with Kiwis and Aussies (and an Englishman), spreading the talent even thinner than it already is, and make excuses every season why it’s not possible to play in the islands, let alone be based there? No, because most of their squad would rather stay home than do that.
If the Drua can manage all these things, why can’t this ‘island’ side?
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