Posted by It has to be said that if someone had offered me a losing bonus point from trips to Glasgow and Munster across back-to-back weekends I’d probably have snatched their arm off.
This season Scotstoun has been an absolute fortress for the Scottish side, with Cardiff the first team to emerge with any sort of competition points from there in the league this season, while historically Thomond Park has always been one of the toughest grounds to get a result at.
So for the Blue and Blacks to not only secure a first league point from a trip to Munster since September 2016, but fly home ultimately disappointed that we didn’t win the game, is a sure fire sign of the progress that this team is making. Yes, it’s another loss by a narrow margin, but the context here is once again key, and not just around where this team is building from.
If, for example, Matt Sherratt’s men had been on a great run across the season and were pushing for a play-off spot, a losing bonus point from Glasgow and Munster would still be good results. In essence, any points on the road are good points in the United Rugby Championship, especially when travelling to Ireland.
It was a particularly impressive show of mental strength from this young Cardiff team during what was a scrappy game in Limerick. The first half was littered with errors from both teams, but the Blue & Blacks spent some considerably lengthy sets defending in our own half, restricting the hosts to a 3-0 lead at the break.
Then early in the second half Munster headed out to a 10-0 lead and were piling the pressure on again, a point at which we have seen Cardiff buckle in these sorts of games in the past, but the team hung in there before looking to players who are stepping up as leaders to turn the tide.
Ben Thomas’ interception and huge tackle at the death to win a penalty, Ellis Jenkins’ defensive breakdown and counter attacking abilities, Cam Winnett’s touch saver and incredible return kick, Thomas Young’s ball carrying off the bench, and just about everything that Liam Belcher does.
The disappointment again for Cardiff will come in the attacking game, which is threatening to ignite but just struggling to turn try scoring opportunities into points. 24 defenders beaten, 10 offloads and six line breaks made, but the only tries came from the interception and a driving maul. With particular focus on red zone attack, there’s just a lack of detail and accuracy at the moment.
White line fever seems to hit as line breaks are not quite supported well enough and final passes don’t go to hand, while when setting up inside the opposition’s five-metre line we’re too often seen rushing through phases and trying to miraculously appear over the line, rather than controlling the tempo, getting our best ball carriers in possession and latching on properly to assist them.
Of course, what would also help the attacking game is if the refereeing properly punished the opposition for dangerous play and set us up to play against 14, or even 13-men for decent periods of the game. How neither Munster player was shown a red card for lifting Liam Belcher and driving him down directly on to his head is simply unfathomable.
Nevertheless there are plenty of positives for Cardiff to take into a few weeks off while European knockout action gets going, ahead of two big games away at an Ulster side in some form of turmoil, and home to Edinburgh in our last game of the season at the Arms Park.
While the Blue and Blacks were not quite able to turn good performances into a win over the last week, churning one out in that mini-block, particularly at home, would ensure that the two losing bonus points are even better results, and cement the feeling of progress made across the campaign so far.
As ever, #TrustTheProcess
Cardiff Rugby Life 