In light of Munster taking on South Africa Select XV this Thursday, today we take a look back at their memorable 15-6 victory over Australia in 2010 at Thomond.
The team on the day was mostly a mix of youth and imports. Some names need very little introduction, while some will have been largely forgotten over the last 12 years.
Paul Warwick kicked all of Munster's points that night in Thomond, as they continued their tradition of being the toughest of opponents for international opposition, no matter what XV is put out.
1. Wian Du Preez
Du Preez initially joined Munster on loan from the Cheetahs in 2009, before transferring the next season and staying with the province until 2013.
He was a quality operator, as shown by his sole Springbok cap from 2009, and retired from professional rugby with Lyon in 2016.
As per Linkedin, his last listed job is as a financial planner with South African company Jenwil BlueStar.
16 November 2010; Munster's Wian du Preez supported by team-mates Peter Borlase, Billy Holland and Conor Murray. Sony Ericsson Challenge, Munster v Australia, Thomond Park, Limerick. Picture credit: Diarmuid Greene / SPORTSFILE
2. Damian Varley
After making his Muster debut in 2006, he played nearly a decade with the province until 2015, broken only briefly by a stint at Wasps in 2008/09.
Despite competing with the likes of Jerry Flannery and Mike Sherry at Munster, he managed to win three caps for Ireland.
After retiring in 2015, he moved into business and is currently the COO at Haven Green Investment Management.
3. Peter Borlase
The former Canterbury and Crusaders prop played for Munster between 2010 and 2012, and had a short stint with Connacht during that time.
After retirement, he coached in Spain before moving to the USA where he coached with Denver Barbarians Rugby and Glendale Raptors Rugby.
According to Linkedin, he still resides in Colorado and is the owner of the aptly named Haka Construction Company.
4. Billy Holland
The first true Munster legend in the team, and the province's second most capped player as of now.
Holland was 25-years-old when this game was played, but still a relative baby in terms of his Munster career, having only retired at the end of the 2020/21 season.
He won his only Ireland cap at the age of 31 in 2016, and currently works in mortgages with EBS.
5. Ian Nagle
A relative unknown at the time, Nagle's reputation grew considerably after his man-of-the-match performance, with many believing that the 22-year-old was destined for trophies and international honours.
The Australia game would turn out to be the peak of his career, as he struggled with injury before embarking on a journeyman-like career, with stints at Leinster, Ulster, Newcastle, and Zebre.
He retired in 2021 and is the co-founder and CEO of Swing Fitness Ltd..
16 November 2010; Ian Nagle, Munster, tussells in a maul against Scott Higginbotham, Australia. Sony Ericsson Challenge, Munster v Australia, Thomond Park, Limerick. Picture credit: Alan Place / SPORTSFILE
6. Peter O'Mahony
There's nothing much to be said that we don't already know about POM, who was just 21-years-old when Australia came to Thomond.
He keeps getting written off for both Munster and Ireland, but keeps making a mockery of the opinions thrown around on social media.
He produced yet another top class performance against the Springboks on Saturday.
7. Niall Ronan
One of the many Leinster men who forged successful careers down south.
He retired at Munster in 2014, and won four Irish caps.
He now resides in his home county of Meath, and is the managing director at Titan Wellness, a fitness facility management company.
8. James Coughlan
The next true Munster legend on our list, and captain on the day.
Coughlan is frequently mentioned among the best Irish players never to get capped, and proved his class beyond doubt with a hugely successful stint at Pau after he left Munster in 2014.
He stayed in France after retiring, and coached at Pau, Aix, Brive, and most recently at Toulon where he currently holds the role of defence coach.
16 November 2010; Munster's James Coughlan takes on the Australia defence supported by Peter Borlase and Duncan Williams, right. Sony Ericsson Challenge, Munster v Australia, Thomond Park, Limerick. Picture credit: Diarmuid Greene / SPORTSFILE
9. Duncan Williams
From 2009-2019, Williams ground out a commendable career at Munster, winning over 150 caps in the process. He was often the subject of unfair abuse from armchair 'fans', and dealt with the criticism admirably.
He now works as a materials planner with Kepak Group in Cork.
10. Paul Warwick
The Aussie always oozed class on the pitch during his time at the province, whom he moved to in 2007 after a stint at Connacht.
He won two Celtic Leagues and a Heineken Cup with Munster, and was also capped by the Barbarians.
He currently works as a PE teacher and rugby coach at Brisbane Grammar School.
16 November 2010; Munster's Paul Warwick. Sony Ericsson Challenge, Munster v Australia, Thomond Park, Limerick. Picture credit: Diarmuid Greene / SPORTSFILE
11. Denis Hurley
A workhorse and an extremely useful utility back throughout his career with the province at which he spent his entire career.
His crowning glory will always be the performances he produced during Munster's successful Heineken Cup run in 2008.
He now resides in Cork and works as commercial and key accounts manager at West Cork Distillers.
12. Sam Tuitupou
The big centre had a brief but underrated spell at Munster during the 2010/11 season, before moving onto play for the Sale Sharks.
He won nine caps for the All Blacks during the mid-2000s, and retired in 2019.
According to Linkedin, he works as a director/agent with Pro Fifteen Limited.
13. Keith Earls
Along with Peter O'Mahony, the only man still playing top-level professional rugby. He is still a hugely vital member of Munster's squad, and still in the mix with Ireland.
His career has aged like fine wine, but he has struggled with injury this season while various other wingers have leapfrogged him in the Irish pecking order.
16 November 2010; Keith Earls, Munster, is tackled by Richard Brown, Australia. Sony Ericsson Challenge, Munster v Australia, Thomond Park, Limerick. Picture credit: Diarmuid Greene / SPORTSFILE
14. Doug Howlett
Probably one of the top-5 imports to Irish provincial rugby, and came to Munster while he was still in the prime of his career, and fresh off beating the All Blacks' all-time try scoring record.
After retiring from playing he worked at various jobs within Munster rugby, the last of which was Head of Commercial and Marketing.
He now lives back in New Zealand, where he works in business and consultant management.
16 November 2010; Munster players, from left, Doug Howlett, Scott Deasy, Paul Warwick, Keith Earls, hidden, and Wian du Preez celebrate victory after the game. Sony Ericsson Challenge, Munster v Australia, Thomond Park, Limerick. Picture credit: Diarmuid Greene / SPORTSFILE
15. Johne Murphy
Murphy made his bones with Leicester Tigers, before transferring to Munster in 2010.
He was a handy utility back for the province until his retirement in 2015, and is one of the founders of Stride Racing, a platform that enables fans to purchase elite racehorses.
Head Coach: Tony McGahan
McGahan's reign is often forgotten and less celebrated than his predecessor Declan Kidney's, and his successor Rob Penney's.
He did, however, deliver Munster their last piece of silverware, and this famous win over the Wallabies.
Upon leaving Munster, he took up a coaching role with Australia, before moving onto the Melbourne Rebels, and after that the Queensland Reds.
SEE ALSO: Owen Farrell Got Roasted In His Post-Match Interview After Argentina Loss
