DARREN SWEETNAM PUTS his bright start in the Munster shirt down to the freedom to make mistakes that has been encouraged by Rassie Eramsus and his coaching team.
The Cork wing had a real break-out campaign last season and nailed down the starting berth on the right wing before injury struck against Leinster at Christmas. And after registering two tries from his three appearances so far this season, Sweetnam is hoping to kick on again.
But 12 months on from his major breakthrough, Sweetnam says the belief he has in his game is the big difference as the eyes a crack as Glasgow Warriors this weekend.
“I think confidence was my biggest thing. I wasn’t the most confident player but after last season and playing those games definitely got me more confident. I just need to keep progressing at that and hopefully I have a good year again this year,” said the 24-year-old.
“I think Rassie, Jacques (Nienaber), Felix (Jones) and Jerry (Flannery), they make it so easy to play. If you make a mistake or whatever, they make it so easy.
“They have this motto: ‘you win some battles, you lose some battles’. That makes you play with so much more confidence, you are not afraid to make mistakes.
Let’s say you miss a tackle, they say: ‘laugh about it, you’ll get it next time’. That makes me play with so much more freedom and definitely helps my performance.”
Before his injury against Leinster on St Stephen’s Day, Sweetnam had started all 15 of Munster games, and his good form saw him called in to train with Ireland in October. His finishing ability is hugely impressive, while his aerial skills have seen him forge a strong relationship with Tyler Bleyendaal, a tactic that is often embraced by Munster.
But despite having players like Keith Earls, Simon Zebo and Ronan O’Mahony still to return to the starting side, Sweetnam is happy to embrace the pressure to perform.
“I think it’s good though, isn’t it, to have all that competition? Especially in the back three there is so much competition at the moment with Alex Wootton playing so well, Andrew Conway, Zeebs is coming back now, Keith Earls, Ronan O’Mahony.
“It’s one of the most competitive positions on the team. But look it’s good, it drives everyone on and keeps us honest and makes us work hard.
“Yeah you can look at is as pressure as well, but I look at it on a positive note. As in we are a tight knit squad, the competition drives us on and gets the best out of everyone. I look forward to that challenge.
“I’m just concentrating on my own game, work hard and do whatever I can do, what’s in my control really.”
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There really was nothing between the top four teams. This weekend has seen two magnificent games, that should never have been QFs. Until the reality that rankings will change is accepted, and catered for, this nonsense of losing genuine world cup contenders at QFs will continue.
The pool format as it stands, is inherently flawed, as it relies on rankings remaining the same from draw to the game.
If another week was added to the competition, you could allow only the pool winners through to the QFs, with an extra recovery week as a bonus, and then have playoffs between 2nd and 3rd place teams from the other side of the draw, to see who should continue to the QFs. It would have given Scotland a chance to get back in, and might be a way of handling the reality that rankings change.
@Declan Conroy: very true
@Declan Conroy: Something has to change. Those quarter finals should never have happened. Massive drop off in interest and engagement in a tournament that still has two weeks to run.
Normal service resumed. SH domination. These lads just have the composure and big game moments to win.
SA poxy lucky to win.
Feel sorry for Les Bleus. 3 first half tries for SA pure luck. Came from nothing.
Best 2 teams in tournament,Ireland and France and they don’t make semi’s
And a very average England and Argentina are there. They will be destroyed by NZ and SA in semi’s.
Poor Ireland and John Sexton….
What could have been……
I believe there is very, very little difference between Ire, SA, NZ and France. All great teams. Sad to think that semifinals winners are already decided.
Worst thing we ever did was beat South Africa in the group
That was outstanding from the springboks. 2023 game plan in full swing (rassie you genius). Far removed from our up the jumper 10 man rugby.. What an evolution in style and tactics as promised . That was a phenominal game of rugby that could have went iether way. My nerves are shot. To the French, my god what a team… Just glad we were on the right side of that result… What a weekend of rugby
@Stuart: still not the prettist to watch all trys from a kick were offside all nite the ref helped ye a lot feel sorry for france but looks like its yours to lose now
@Sèan: hope you will have your dark green jersey on for next week. Can’t imagine white is your colour…
@Stuart: lost interest in it now tbh since ireland went out the semis be a walk over the final should great
Rugby is the winner the ref was poor
Seems pointless participating. Would anyone follow a soccer World Cup if Germany and Brazil just won it every time? Not much of a sport really. Only 8 teams play it to a good standard and only two win nearly every time. I’m glad it’s nearly done.
@Neil “Montyman65” Montgomery: well then stop following it. Don’t worry you won’t be missed by anyone
Lovely writing, nice work Ciaran