Goosen sees red as Munster edge Bulls

20/04/2024 19:16

Vodacom Bulls flyhalf Johan Goosen was sent off in the second half of a thrilling bonus-point win for Vodacom URC champions Munster in Pretoria on Saturday evening.

Goosen was shown a straight red for a head-on-head collision with Munster replacement scrumhalf Craig Casey in the 53rd minute of a Loftus Versfeld clash that saw the lead change hands four times before the title-holders clinched a 27-22 victory and overtake Jake White's charges into third place on the overall standings.

The Bulls needed a big response after a heavy defeat against Northampton Saints in the Champions Cup quarter-finals last week, but trailed the Irish visitors 17-10 at half time.

Munster left winger Shane Daly touched down in the corner at the close of an exhilarating first quarter. Flyhalf Jack Crowley split the uprights with the first of three goal-kicks in the half, before the hosts restored parity when opposite number Goosen converted skipper Elrigh Louw's short-range try.

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Johan Goosen's monster kick is a pressure cooker @Vodacom#URC | #BULvMUN | #RaceToTheEightpic.twitter.com/itkvScrNhv

— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) April 20, 2024

The Bulls took the lead for the first time in the match midway through the opening stanza with a Goosen penalty, but the towering RG Snyman barged over next to the posts to restore the tourists' advantage on the scoreboard at the break.

Springbok flyer Kurt-Lee Arendse crossed the whitewash as the home side drew first blood soon after the restart, and the Bulls stormed back in front following hooker Johan Grobbelaar's converted score with 30 minutes left on the stadium clock.

Goosen clashed with Casey in the buildup to outside centre Canan Moodie's excellent finish out wide, but substitute John Hodnett levelled matters once again after stretching over the tryline.

Back on the field for the injured Casey, veteran scrumhalf Conor Murray burrowed into the endzone to make it a five-point game in the closing minutes, with the tourists digging deep to claim maximum points from their tour opener.

The Bulls tackle Ospreys next Saturday on the Highveld, while Munster cross the Jukskei to face the Lions at Ellis Park.

Photo: Shaun Roy/Sportsfile via Getty Images

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