Munster’s first game at Thomond Park this season was expected to be a bruising encounter. In the first round Benetton Treviso had beaten the Ospreys with a low-scoring, physical performance, and had brought a few extra forwards for the trip to Limerick.
Instead, Munster’s new coach Rob Penny was true to his word about his team playing a more passing style of rugby, and the ball went through the hands with some urgency.
The Italians were encouraged when out-half Alberto Di Bernardo stroked home a penalty after three minutes, though the early strike was all Treviso could muster for the first half and Munster responded after a few minutes with polished line-out.
Dave O’Callaghan collected a long throw and broke towards the posts before setting up Doug Howlett for a well worked try. Ian Keatly converted the score and looked comfortable with the boot, adding three more penalties before halftime.
After a first half in which Munster passed the ball around confidently it seemed like they were lining up to run in a couple of scores. But while the quick passing continued they lacked penetration.
Luke O’Dea and Casey Laulala impressed and were at the centre of the action, coming close to cutting open the Italian defence on a number of occasions. Flanker Sean Dougall also gave a good account of himself, capping off an impressive display with a clearing kick under pressure that any fullback would be proud of, from a wayward Italian line-out.
Munster won the second half 6-3 but failed to secure a bonus point. While there were plenty of positives about this performance, in what has proved to be a difficult transitional phase for the province, the men in red have a long way to go if they want to beat better opposition and repeat last year’s third-place finish in the Rabo Pro 12.
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