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All Blacks XV survive Munster's onslaught


The All Blacks XV outlasted a passionate Munster 38-24 at Thomond Park, Limerick.


With five minutes remaining on Saturday (Sunday NZ Time), the hosts trailed by just two points, having mercilessly peppered the visitors' line, before allowing a long-range try that clinched the victory.


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In the 73rd minute, wing Diarmuid Kilgallen made a desperate lunge for the corner only to be knocked into touch by ABs XV prop Cory Kellow. 


The All Blacks XV finally controlled possession and replacement halfback Noah Hotham stunned the strident locals when he flashed through the middle of the ruck, linking with second-five Quinn Tupaea, who put wing Kini Naholo clear. 


Hotham was abuzz with energy in his short stint, while Tupaea, with a try, 13 carries and nine tackles, was a fulcrum in midfield.


All Blacks XV vs Munster rugby

First-five Harry Plummer was another study in composure. His 60m intercept finally extinguished the Munster flame. Earlier, Plummer engineered a try with a deft delivery to Blues teammate AJ Lam.


It had been a tumultuous week for Munster, with head coach Graham Rountree suddenly departing on Tuesday but it would not have been forgotten by the All Blacks XV that Munster won the United Rugby Championship and conquered the world champios Springboks just two years ago.


Indeed, Munster started with startling commitment and cohesion, but the All Blacks XV was resolute.



An illustration of how earnestly this victory was achieved was that the All Blacks XV out-tackled Munster 165 to 97. Nine All Blacks XV players finished the match with double-figure tackles, with openside flanker and captain Du’Plessis Kirifi topping the charts with 18.


Man of the match Fabian Holland made a dozen and helped the All Blacks XV achieve an 11-for-12 lineout record.


After withstanding the early onslaught, Lam scored a try in the 22nd minute working in sync with Plummer.  Naholo, Tupaea and Holland were then in perfect unison during the construction of a Chay Fihaki try. 



Despite a 14-0 deficit, Munster had initiative and deserved their breakthough from tireless phase attack in the 34th minute. Munster headed to the sheds buoyant when they scored a penalty try from a lineout drive. All Blacks XV lock Isaia Walker-Leawere was given his marching orders for ten minutes. 


Heroically the undermanned All Blacks XV responded with a lineout shove of their own in the 44th minute. Crusaders hooker Brodie McAlister with a trademark finish. Munster employed the same tactic again with openside flanker John Hodnett profiting. 


Kirifi had a try scrubbed out but Tupaea would not be denied after a sublime kick by Stevenson. Ruben Love had broken earlier to create momentum.  



Munster were pesky and a try to Tom Farrell best epitomised their courage. Second five-eighth Rory Scannell was repelled backwards but bounced legally, sprightly to his feet and thrust forward to the protests of the All Blacks XV. 


There was no derision expressed towards Kirifi when he snatched a 65th minute to foil a dangerous surge. 


Another memorable New Zealand-Munster rugby occasion. The All Blacks XV have won four of their five matches since 2022.


All Blacks XV 38 (AJ Lam, Chay Fihaki, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Brodie McAllister, Quinn Tupaea, Kini Naholo, Harry Plummer tries; Harry Plummer 4 con) Munster 26 (Mike Haley, Penalty try, John Hodnett, Tom Farrell tries; Tony Butler con). HT: 14-12

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