MUNSTER'S hopes off embellishing their great record against touring teams wilted, and then died, at Thomond Park yesterday when Australia delivered the most severe defeat ever inflicted on the province by an overseas team, winning by 55 points to 19.

The ground was almost packed to capacity. Some 12,000 people had arrived with the expectation of seeing Munster give yet another memorable performance against a touring team.

They offered the home side every encouragement, but this was not to be a day for Munster glory. In the end, the crowd was left to admire and wonder at the awesome brilliance of the tourists as they scored nine tries, some beautifully created and splendidly executed.

This was, as Australia's great wing David Campese described it, "a sensational performance - total rugby.

"This was something special," he said. And so, indeed, it was.

It was an awesome demonstration of forward power, superb teamwork, back-line flair and pace and perception that will live long in the memories of those who witnessed it. A victory by a margin 36 points was the reward - and some of the tries were punishment for some poor Munster tackling, especially behind the scrum.

It was Munster's misfortune to catch Australia in this form and there was unanimous agreement in the Australian camp that this was easily the best performance given by the Wallabies on the tour.

They had the Munster defence under pressure for most of the game and in the closing stages, cut Munster apart as they scored four tries in the final 11 minutes.

Entering the last 15 minutes they led 31-19. Munster had held them scoreless from the 48th to the 69th minute. But there was never any possibility that Munster would get the points to erase the deficit and by the end, the Wallabies had reduced the Munster defence to tatters.

The province's problems started in the line out, where the Wallabies totally dominated. Munster struggled for the possession with which to present problems to the Wallabies' defence. The Australians' rucking and mauling carried the kind of authority Munster could not match and while Munster stayed in the game until just after half-time, it was an ongoing, struggle they never looked likely to win.

They did reveal some tenacious qualities. Players such as Anthony Foley never stopped trying, but they could make no real headway up front and were often swept aside by the concerted Australian advances.

In reality, it was only the place kicking of out-half Killian Keane which kept Munster in touch. It was fitting, too, that he scored Munster's only try, for he was by some way their best player and one of the very few to emerge from this encounter with their reputation enhanced. Stephen McIvor also did reasonably well in difficult circumstances.

Outside the scrum, the Australian half-backs, Sam Payne and Pat Howard, proved a great link to the other backs. They had the men outside to punish Munster and they did. Campese, playing in his last match for his country on Irish soil, marked the occasion by scoring two of his side's tries - one a typically-cheeky effort as he came off both feet to get in by the posts eight minutes from the end.

Australia opened the scoring, with a try after five minutes from left wing Ben Tune, issuing an early warning that they would not be relying on forward power. This was going to be an all-embracing display, and so it was.

They ruthlessly exploited a lack of pace in the Munster back line, and very rarely allowed Munster to get on any concerted drive up front. The odd foray was the best Munster could manage, heart and will were not enough.

Even before the end, those no-table Munster characteristics had been sapped and the spirit broken a rare occurrence in the history of the province.

A penalty by Keane in the seventh minute and again six minutes later, left Munster ahead 6-5, before Toutai Kefu, a late replacement for Michael Brial, got Australia's second try.

Pat Murray dropped a lovely goal for Munster in the 19th minute before Campese got the first of his two tries, after a lovely piece of inventive play from Payne. Stephen Larkam converted and Australia led 9-17.

Pyne got a try just on half-time and Larkham converted. With the Wallabies leading 24-9 at the break, Munster were in trouble, having played with the wind on a cold and overcast day.

Munster brought on Peter Clohessy and Len Dinneen at half-time to try and rectify some of the forward deficiencies - and for a brief minute it looked as it might work.

Within 30 seconds, a drive down the left flank saw Keane get over for a try. Keane converted from the touchline and suddenly hope rose that this might be another Munster recovery. Australia were penalised after the try was scored, but Keane was short with the kick from halfway. Owen Finegan got a try for Australia in the 48th minute, Larkham converted and it was 31-16.

Munster battled to contain for a while after Keane kicked his third penalty in the 53rd minute, but Australia's awesome power and beautiful creative skills had Munster on the ropes. In the closing stages, Australia added four tries from Jason Loitle, Campese and two from substitute Alistair Murdoch. Larkham converted two and then retired after a very good performance - he had also played a big part in the creation of two tries.

The monument to achievement at Thomond Park yesterday was not built by Munster, it was erected by this superb performance from the Australians.