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Watch: Munster and Toulouse's epic penalty shootout in Dublin
By Ian Cameron
Munster and Toulouse faced off in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout that decided their Heineken Champions Cup quarter final today in the most dramatic of fashions.
Toulouse advanced to the last four of the competition after the shootout victory over the Irish at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, in what was one of the most memorably conclusions to European match in some time.
France star Antoine Dupont scored twice for Toulouse, including a key strike from the 10-metre line, with Thomas Ramos and Romain Ntamack also on target.
Conor Murray and Joey Carbery had successful penalties, but two misses from Ben Healy and a single Murray miss ended Munster’s campaign.
Toulouse will now face will Leinster in the same venue in next week’s semi-finals.
“Today was what Munster rugby is about," said Munster head coach Johan van Graan after the game. "To lose it like that, that is unfortunately sport, that is the way the rules are. Somebody has got to kick it over and somebody has got to miss. If ever there is a day that sums up Munster rugby it’s today, a community, 40,000 people travelling. It was certainly one of the best rugby games I have been involved with.
“I said to my wife there, from a feeling point of view this was like the World Cup semi-final in 2015 that we lost 20-18 against the All Blacks, that feeling that you gave it all you have got, the players gave it all they have got."
He paid tribute to the team who have once again fallen short in Europe but who can certainly hold their head up high after bowing out in the closest of matches against arguably the best team in the tournament.
“Management, staff and then the people of Munster, they gave it all they have got. And then you have got to know this is a game and everybody associated with Munster rugby will be incredibly proud of 23 guys that stood up and fought today.
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Latest Comments
This is true.
But perhaps because rugby is Australia’s fourth (or worse) most popular sport, there is just no coaching talent good enough.
It’s interesting that no players from the Aussies golden era (say between 1987 - 2000) have emerged as international quality coaches. Or coaches at all.
Again, Australians are the problem methinks. Not as interested in the game. Not as interested to support the game. Not as interested to get into the game.
And like any other industry in the world - when you don’t have the capabilities or the skills, you import them.
Not difficult to understand really.
Go to commentsi think Argentina v France could be a good game too, depending on which Argentina turns up. The most difficult to call is Scotland Australia.
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