Simon Zebo must have hot-footed it down from the television gantry to get involved in the celebrations.
Jack Crowley was the Munster hero (along with his 22 other playing teammates) at Stade Marcel Deflandre, as the Irish province delivered another stunning win on French soil.
Struggling to fire in the United Rugby Championship, having said goodbye to head coach Graham Rowntree in October, Munster were very much underdogs. La Rochelle have lost 11 games in the Top 14, this season, but have enough international pedigree in their squad, and went back-to-back in the competition, in May 2023.
The opening stages saw La Rochelle fling several kitchen sinks, along with Will Skelton, Uini Atonio and Gregory Alldritt, at Munster. They led 7-0 but Munster, with Tadhg Beirne and John Hodnett stepping up, were clinging on. They got back in the game when Thaakir Abrahams blazed through a tiny gap and set Craig Casey up to score. Ihaia West made it 10-7 just before half-time, but it was Munster than started the second half like a train.
Calvin Nash came up with some big plays before Gavin Coombes and Andrew Smith tries made it 22-10. La Rochelle had a penalty try to give them hope, before Jack Crowley stepped up with a crucial drop goal:
Ronan O'Gara's side fought back with a 76th minute try, but Munster dug deep to reach the quarter finals, and a meeting with either Bordeaux or Ulster.
Following the game, there were brilliant scenes of celebrations all across the stadium. Crowley found himself mobbed, pulled into the stands and surrounded by teammates new and old.
SEE ALSO: La Rochelle vs. Munster: All The Big Moments, Talking Points And Full Player Ratings
Simon Zebo celebrates with Jack Crowley
Jack Crowley stepped up to deliver a drop goal matchwinner for Munster against a side coached by a man that built his career off such moments - Ronan O'Gara.
O'Gara tried to get Crowley over to Munster, back in 2020/21, when the Cork native was struggling for game-time behind the likes of Joey Carbery and JJ Hanrahan. In the end, he opted to stay and fight for the 10 jersey and has rarely looked back, except when reminded by us in the media.
Crowley was one of a host of Munster heroes, but it was heartening to see him lauded after what must have been a tough Six Nations campaign. Despite coming into the championship in good form, he was benched for Sam Prendergast in the opening four games, then was merely okay when he started against Italy.
At Stade Marcel Defelandre, he was posing for pictures with fans when his Munster teammates, Shane Daly and Alex Nankivell, helped pull him in closer to celebrate. Simon Zebo, who had been on commentary dury for Premier Sport, was also there for the revelry.
Jack Crowley celebrates with Munster players Alex Nankivell and Shane Daly, and former Munster player Simon Zebo after the Investec Champions Cup Round of 16 match between La Rochelle and Munster at Stade Marcel Deflandre in La Rochelle, France. (Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile)
Jack Crowley with former Munster player Simon Zebo after the Investec Champions Cup Round of 16 match between La Rochelle and Munster at Stade Marcel Deflandre in La Rochelle, France. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Fittingly, it was Simon Zebo that delivered the best commentary line when Jack Crowley landed that drop goal.
"What a moment," he said. "Jack Crowley steps up and lands the dagger in La Rochelle."
Munster will believe anything is possible after their latest titanic triumph in France.
