John Dobson concedes ‘Munster thoroughly deserved URC final win’

It was heartbreak for the Stormers and the Cape Town faithful, but very few people can begrudge that Munster fully deserved the United Rugby Championship (URC) trophy after a fairytale run that broke their over decade long streak in the competition without a title.

Munster’s last success was back in the 2010-11 season when it was still called the Celtic League and the competition has been rebranded three times since then, into the Pro12, Pro14 and finally the URC, with them finishing as runner-up three times during that time.

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But that all ended in spectacular fashion in front of a sold out Cape Town Stadium of over 56000 fans, as they fought their way to a superb 19-14 win in a thrilling encounter that was the definition of a competition final.

Deserved to win

“Munster thoroughly deserved to win that game. They led 12-7 and had two tries disallowed in the first half, so the damage could have been bigger,” said Stormers coach John Dobson who was extremely magnanimous in defeat.

“I thought the fight that they showed when we came back at them and threw the kitchen sink in the second half was remarkable and I honestly genuinely believe they deserved to win the game

“I saw it as a game of two halves. Munster was absolutely superb in the first half and they put us under enormous pressure on defence. We can say it’s our worst defensive half, but it was only that because of how well they played.

“The way they kept the ball in hand. I think we had lost about five of the six contestables. In the second half when we started going through the front door and putting them under pressure. We were then nano seconds away from winning that game. We just needed that extra score.”

Extremely emotional

Munster coach Graham Rowntreewas extremely emotional after the game and admitted that the whole playing and coaching staff had done it for the Province of Munster.

It was an incredible finish to the season for them, playing six straight games away from home, one of which was in the Champions Cup, with them unbeaten in all five URC games including beating the Stormers and drawing with the Sharks at the end of the pool phase.

They then beat Glasgow Warriors in Scotland, Leinster in Dublin and produced the goods back in Cape Town once again to seal an absolutely brilliant comeback season.

“It was emotional at the end there. It is a huge moment for the club. The fans have been very patient waiting for this trophy. This is a special group, with a number of older players who have also been waiting patiently,” said Rowntree.

“I am immensely proud of this group, delighted for the whole of the (Munster) province and the red army that followed us here. We drove into the stadium and it was unbelievable seeing a red army of flags waiting for us on the road outside.

“I am delighted for all of those people, we did it for them. In the game itself I was so proud of the lads. We have done it tough.

“We spoke extensively yesterday about our sixth game (in a row) away from home. To come and do this, is amazing and I am unbelievably proud for everyone involved with this prestigious club that is Munster rugby.”