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Red-carded Zebo learns fate, Snyman agrees to Munster extension
By Liam Heagney
Wednesday has turned out to be a very good news day for Munster as Simon Zebo has escaped a ban following his United Rugby Championship red card while Springboks lock RG Snyman is one of five players to agree to contract extensions at the province. There were fears that a suspension for Zebo would see him miss out on Ireland squad selection for the upcoming Guinness Six Nations.
However, a discipline committee hearing has cleared him for selection for this weekend’s Heineken Champions Cup assignment at Castres on Friday when he will look to show he has what it takes to catch the eye of Ireland boss Andy Farell.
Zebo, who agreed on a Munster contract extension at the start of this week, was re-carded last Saturday versus Ulster for a collision with Michael Lowry and a URC statement read: “The disciplinary panel of Declan Goodwin (chair, Wales), Frank Hadden and Sarah Smith (both Scotland) considered all of the evidence and camera angles available and concluded that the player’s actions did not result in foul play.
“In particular, on detailed examination of the video evidence, the panel determined that it was No10 of Munster who completes the tackle on Michael Lowry of Ulster, with Simon Zebo only making minimal contact whilst wrapping his left arm. As a result, the player is free to continue playing this weekend.”
Elsewhere, Munster announced that injured Springboks lock Snyman will remain with them for another two years despite speculation that he could follow soon-to-depart head coach Johann van Graan out of the club.
“World Cup-winning Springbok RG Snyman has signed a two-year deal that will see him remain with the province until at least June 2024,” read a Munster statement. “Despite enduring a difficult time with injuries since arriving at the province in the summer of 2020, the 26-year-old is well settled at his Limerick base.
“An out-and-out leader, he is highly regarded across the squad and already in four short appearances he has managed to display his athleticism and skill set, including a first try scored against the Stormers in Thomond Park.”
Munster also confirmed that props Stephen Archer (one year), Roman Salanoa (three years), Liam O’Connor (one year) and hooker Scott Buckley (two years) have also all committed their futures to the province.
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Latest Comments
Ireland have every right to back themselves for a win. But the key variable has little to do with recent record etc.
The reality is that Ireland are a settled team with tons of continuity, an established style, and a good depth chart, whereas NZ are fundamentally rebuilding. The questions are all about what Razor is doing and how far along he is in that program.
NZ are very close to really clicking. Against England all of the chatter is about how England could have closed out a win, but failed to do so. This has obscured the observation that NZ were by far the more creative and effective in attack, beyond the 3-1 try differential and disallowed tries. They gave away a lot of unnecessary penalties, and made many simple errors (including knock-ons and loose kicks). Those things are very fixable, and when they do so we are once again going to be staring at a formidable NZ team.
Last week we heard the England fans talking confidently about their chances against NZ, but England did not end up looking like the better team on the field or the scoreboard. The England defense was impressive enough, but still could not stop the tries.
Ireland certainly has a better chance, of course, but NZ is improving fast, and I would not be surprised at a convincing All Black win this week. It may turn on whether NZ can cut out the simple mistakes.
Go to commentsFair to say that NZ have come to respect Ireland, as have all teams. But it's a bit click-baitey to say that the game is the premier show-down for NZ.
SA has beaten NZ four times in a row, including in the RWC final.
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