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Cooney the hero again for Ulster as Warriors master Munster
By Rob Lancaster
Ulster and Glasgow Warriors triumphed in contrasting circumstances to make it two wins from two at the start of the new Pro14 season.
For the second week running John Cooney kicked a last-gasp penalty for Ulster, helping his side rally to beat Conference B rivals Edinburgh 30-29 in dramatic fashion at Kingspan Stadium.
Tries by Tom Brown and James Johnstone put Edinburgh in early control - they led 16-6 by half-time - but the hosts hit back after the break.
Will Addison and Cooney crossed before a stunning long-range try from Craig Gilroy edged Ulster ahead.
Simon Hickey kicked Edinburgh back in front in the closing minutes, only for Cooney - who signed a contract extension on Thursday - to hold his nerve with the final kick of a see-saw contest.
At Scotstoun, meanwhile, Glasgow Warriors claimed top spot in Conference A as a first-half flurry of points helped them triumph 25-10 against Munster.
Callum Gibbins, Stuart Hogg and Adam Ashe all touched down as the hosts cut loose in the opening 40 minutes, scoring 22 points without reply.
Munster were much improved after the break, Rhys Marshall scoring their solitary try, but a penalty from Hogg put paid to any hopes of a comeback.
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Latest Comments
I didn't mean to sound down on Dmac. Just looking hard at the bench sub's role of providing impact. I don't think he can do that at 15, and the bench is not really about injury cover anymore (you need to maximise it's use more than that).
He's my first choice of any New Zealander for the 10 jersey with the All Blacks.
Go to commentsAgreed. And I don't have much more to say on it, but I had been having one thought that sprang to mind at the tail of this discussion, and that is that it's not all about Razor.
It's not about any coach being "right". I think a lot of selections can become defense and while it doesn't really apply here I really enjoyed that Andy Farrell just gave into the public demands and changed out his team for the change that had been asked for. Like why not? This is the countries team, keep them engaged. The whole reason i've only just finished watching the game was because I wasn't interested in watching any of the selected players against a team like Italy (still actually enjoyed the first half with the contest Italy made of it).
Faz leap frogs a younger half back into start. He hands the golden child the game over July's golden child. He gives an old winger a go, a new flanker and hooker. None of them really did any good, certainly not enough to suggest they should have been promoted above others, but who cares? You won, and you gave the country what they wanted, that's all that matters after all. It's for the country, not the one in charge who thinks they have to have their own pied piper tune playing.
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