Graham Rowntree said Munster were once again the architect of their own downfall as they crashed out to a disappointing loss to Connacht in Galway.
Munster conceded 15 unanswered points in the final 16 minutes as Connacht came from 11-5 down to claim their first win of the season.
A try from Irish prop Finlay Bealham and a penalty from Conor Fitzgerald put Connacht ahead but Munster failed to respond, Paul Boyle’s late try denying them a losing bonus point.
“We have once again lost our way with our inaccuracy,” Munster head coach Rowntree told RTÉ Sport. “The last 15 minutes in particular were marred by indiscipline, endorsing penalty after penalty. [They] put us in the corner, put us under pressure.”
It was a recurring theme for Rowntree, whose side have lost three of their first four BKT United Rugby Championship games this season.
“The annoying thing – what kills us is us. Our ball control, our precision and our discipline,” said Rowntree, who lost captain Peter O’Mahony to an injury. suspected shoulder in the second half.
“We went to 11-5 [on 48 minutes] and didn’t grow from there. We had a big chance before their 22 where we lost control of the ball. The next thing we know is that we’re back in our 22s. We need to be better with that ball retention in that area of the pitch.
“I can’t fault the energy and effort of the guys. We just need to be more precise.”
Connacht weren’t at their best either, but they still chained some fine passages in attack, with their set piece establishing the platform.
Mack Hansen opened the scoring after nine minutes but they failed to capitalize on that opening scoreline with captain Jack Carty hitting the post twice from kicks.
Carty also scored his conversion for the Bealham try, with Conor Fitzgerald taking over to kick things off in the 62nd minute before finishing in style.
“It wasn’t perfect, we know, but it was an interpro win,” Connacht director of rugby Andy Friend said.
“It was our first game on our new ground in front of our family, friends and supporters. It’s a great way to start the weekend.”
Friend paid tribute to his team’s physique as they finished strong to snap their three-game losing streak in style.
“Both teams were nervous because both didn’t click at the start of the season for various reasons,” Friend said.
“Our attacking group laid the platform on us that put us on the front foot. Going in at 8-5 at half time was frustrating, you scratch your head thinking, ‘How are we behind? They got another penalty and it was 11-5 and it was like, here we go again.
“Then we get the try, but even to the death we camp on their line and give a penalty. Go to the lineout and give another one.
“Luckily we managed to get another try ourselves. It’s a great way to end the game and start the season.”
Friend also gave a special mention to Bealham, who produced a man-of-the-match performance on the Sportsground’s new all-weather surface.
“He was sensational,” Friend said of his strained head. “He has huge aspirations and it’s performances like this that will get him the recognition he deserves.
“He’s one of the best bareheads in the country, we know that because he’s playing for Ireland at the moment, but you have to put in great performances like that in the interpros.
“He did that tonight, not just his scrum but his work rate on the pitch, his carries, his tackles, his breakdowns, his turnovers, his jackals. I’m really happy for him and proud of him because he works very hard to produce these performances.”
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