FULL-ON TRAINING SESSIONS were already a precious commodity ahead of rugby’s restart without a positive Covid case trimming Munster’s schedule last week.
But Chris Farrell has seen enough of Damien De Allende at close quarters to get excited about what Munster’s new supersized, super talented centre combination might deliver.
Well he might, given he will be one half of the imposing 12-13 axis at the disposal of Johann van Graan and Stephen Larkham.
Farrell likes what he sees in De Allende, unwittingly describing the Springbok World Cup-winner with phrases that could easily apply to himself.
“He is quite a skillful ball-playing centre,” says Farrell, “despite a perception that may be a trucker. He certainly is not. He has got a hell of a lot of skills.”
“You can just see his quality straight away. He is someone who comes from top, top pedigree. He is really calm on the ball. I think that’s something I can learn.
He gives himself time. He gives himself space and he makes decision-making quite easy. He looks really calm. He is one of those players who buys himself time – as a centre that is really important.”
The former Grenoble man adds:
“No matter who it is, whether it’s him, Rory (Scannell), or Dan Goggin, they are quality as well. But these lads, RG and Damian, are Coming from a background of being World Cup winners.
“There is an aura about them. They’re going to add in some way. They are those kind of people.”
De Allende’s presence will be helpful as Munster try to build through the end of the current season and the start of the next with a big question mark over Joey Carbery. Attention sent his way by defences will take pressure off JJ Hanrahan and Farrell on either side of him.
Along with RG Snyman, De Allende is Munster’s marquee signing this summer and it will be intriguing to see how he is used within Larkham’s gameplan.
Though on-field minutes were limited, Farrell takes confidence from the amount of time Munster were able to put into the theory of bringing that gameplan on a step further.
“We have definitely seen changes. Even if it’s not ‘changes’, we have been exposed to a lot more.
“A lot of us didn’t get the opportunity to work over prolonged periods going into games and now a lot of us are just way more aware of what we are trying to achieve and what Steve (Larkham) is trying to achieve.
“That’s important. It’s something that we are pretty comfortable with at the minute. We have had a lot of time on it and hopefully we will see it in the next couple of weeks.”
All the talk about these 2 lads is allowing Matt Gallagher to come in under the radar. He could really be a game changer! To be honest i dont know a huge amount about the style of fullback he is but hopefully he can step up as a second play maker. Obviously not to the same level, but something similar to Damien mckenzie or beauden barrett. Or even stuart hogg.
The fact he is left footed will also add an important extra dimension to the team.
@Gareth Ward: the team seems to be going for brute force rubgy so where these playmakers fit in I’m not sure.
@Chris Mc: I think we’ll have to wait a few games before we see what style they’re going for. Farrell brings more to the game than size and power and paired with De Allend they could make a great pairing.
@Gareth Ward: I didn’t realise Gallagher is Irish qualified, neither have I seen him play. Have you seen him play for Saracens?
@Rocky Raccoon: you don’t buy a bulldozer to paint a landscape.
South African rugby is about power and strength, your coach and a chunk of your squad are South African. The average size of you squad is built for a power game. Just because a 16 stone centre can pass the ball doesn’t mean he will.
@Chris Mc: Well as i said he can fit in at fullback!
@Sustainable Hedgehog: No as i said im not familiar with what style of player he is. Only saw him once off the bench id say. But ive heard good things, so im hopeful
@Gareth Ward: If he’s selected in what seems a first choice 15 then he must be good.
@Gareth Ward: in one sentence you’re saying, he could be a game changer and in the next you’re saying, you don’t know much about him. That doesn’t make much sense. I think you’d need to have known a lot more about him for him to be a game changer. As in, if he was that good you’d have seen him play a good bit more. The words I’m hearing about Snyman and de Allande seem to be placing them on a very high pedestal, I hope they can deliver for Munster’s sake, and I also hope the rest of them don’t rely too much on the “superstars” with the “incredible aura”.
@amusing_musings: I said he could be a game changer, based on what i have heard. I didnt say he will be. However i am hopeful that as a fullback he can add a little bit more if what munster need, as i think an upgrade on haley would be good! Hope this helps you understand!
@Chris Mc: using a EOSism doesn’t make your point for you. Just cause a centre is 16st doesn’t mean he won’t pass either
Really high expectations now of this Munster team given the new arrivals. Anything less than hitting the ground running and even winning the Pro14 this season would now surely be seen as disappointing.