Sunday Snippets

Munster go top: Irish outfit Munster are sitting pretty at the summit of the Guinness Pro12 today, after completing a convincing 33-16 victory over the visitors to Musgrave Park last night, the Cardiff Blues. Played out infront of a large home support, the hosts were the first side on the scoreboard courtesy of the boot of Northampton bound JJ Hanrahan, who operated in the fullback slot, with youngster Rory Scannell asked to pull the strings from flyhalf. A game which ebbed and flowed throughout, both sides went into the break on 9 points a piece in what was a dull first 40 to say the least. The second period saw more of an intent on the attacking front from both sets of players, with Munster skipper Denis Hurley opening the try scoring account early on in the half, before youngster Jack O’Donoghue crossed for a superb team try in his first Pro12 start. While Cardiff did manufacture a comeback of sorts through some good attacking play and a Josh Navidi try, the home side confirmed their win through a three pointer from fullback Hanrahan and then a final minute try from winger Ronan O’Mahony, capping off a quality performance from the speedster out wide. Despite missing out on the bonus point, Munster have now gone to the top of the Guinness Pro12 table.

Stirzaker banned: Melbourne Rebels scrum half Nic Stirzaker has been given the honour of the first suspension of this year’s Super Rugby competition, having been found guilty of stamping during his side’s clash with the Crusaders at AMI Stadium in Christchurch on Friday. A game which the visitors ended up winning in impressive fashion, Stirzaker was cited under law 10.4 (b): A player must not stamp or trample an opponent. Residing over the case, Duty Judicial Officer Nicholas Davidson QC, assessed the case and handed down a one week suspension from all forms of the game, up to and including Sunday 22nd February. Having taken into account Stirzaker’s admission of stamping along with the scrumhalf’s previous untainted disciplinary record, Davidson deemed a one week ban satisfactory.

Ryan Sheady