IT'S FAIR to say that not many of the Wallaby players who lost to Munster at Thomond Park would have rushed to read the online version of sundry Australian newspapers in the wake of their 15-6 defeat, writes John O'Sullivan.

The general sentiment to be gleaned from the analysis was one of despair.

Greg Growden, writing in the Sydney Morning Herald under the headline, “A night best forgotten as

Munstered Wallabies plumb new depths”, pointed out: “It was so ridiculous it became hilarious. But, sadly, the Thomond Park fiasco has sunk the Wallabies players into despair.

“The Wallabies B team headed to one of rugby’s proudest provinces hoping to revive their Test aspirations and provide a psychological boost after the horrors of Twickenham last weekend by showing their skills against the might of Munster.

“Instead they left dishevelled, distraught and close to drowning after they floundered in the most inhospitable conditions imaginable, allowing Munster to enjoy another monumental victory over an international touring team.”

Wynne Gray, writing in the Australian, said: “So strong was the wind that whipped the ground that the Wallabies’ tackle bags were swept away during the warm-up.

“Wallabies coach Robbie Deans had hoped this match would provide him with more selection options ahead of Saturday’s Test against Italy,” he added, before suggesting Deans should start by inviting Australia-born Munster outhalf Paul Warwick back into the Test arena.

The Australia Associated Press produced a bizarre ending to their match report by offering the following rugby/socio-economic comment:

“Munster are currently in first place in Europe’s Magner’s League, and have never stopped celebrating their historic 1978 win over the All Blacks.

“Rugby is a religion in the grim but friendly city of 90,000, which has battled a spate of gangland violence over the past decade and is now in the grip of a fierce recession.”