RONAN O’GARA believes JJ Hanrahan has shown courage by agreeing a move to Northampton Saints.
It was announced yesterday that the 22-year-old out-half/centre would be departing Munster for the Premiership club next season after being left frustrated at the lack of opportunities afforded to him by head coach Anthony Foley.
Munster legend O’Gara, these days coaching at Racing Metro, admits it hurts to see a player of Hanrahan’s quality leave, but says the province did everything in their power to keep him.
“I can tell you it’s nothing to do with money — it’s a pure rugby decision,” O’Gara told Hugh Cahill on 2FM’s Game On tonight. “He feels at the minute that Anthony has placed his faith in Ian Keatley and he doesn’t see that changing in the 6-18 month period.
“So his vision is to surpass (Stephen) Myler in the Northampton team and look good in a good team. It’s obviously a bit risky but he is backing himself.
“Then in two years’ time when he is proven and, in his eyes, when he’s pushing Johnny Sexton in the Irish team, he would obviously love to come back to Munster again.
Believe me, Munster did everything and JJ appreciated everything they did but in this case it’s a pure rugby decision which, say what you want, you’ve got to admire the balls of the young fella because no one has done it before.
“He’s just in a hurry and he is ambitious, which is crucial if you want to be a world class number 10 because you have to back yourself at the times when people keep knocking you. You’ve got to get up and this is the route he has taken.”
While praising Hanrahan’s bravery for taking the risk in order to further his career, O’Gara added homegrown talent is the lifeblood of Munster and therefore needs to be retained at all costs.
“For an U20 World Player of the Year nominee, it shouldn’t happen,” he said. “These are the type of players who should be driving Munster.
He’s a local boy, he’s everything that is good about Munster and I think that’s what makes playing for Munster so special.
“10-12 local players with some shrewd signings– that has been the heartbeat for 20 years. That’s why it hurts people and they care about it because it is such a great team.
“It shouldn’t happen but it is happening and that’s the reality.”
It should not have been allowed to happen, but it has.
Moving on, its a great move for JJ joining a very competitive team at the top of the game consistently for a number of years now in the UK and Europe,with a good coach and squad. The current no 10 Myler is no spring chicken and is not entering but in his twilight years. JJ at only 22 could become the ROG of the Saints and put real pressure on Sexton.
Challenge sexton? He’ll have to challenge Madigan and Keatley first.
What age is meyler? I know he’s no spring chicken but he’s hardly in his twilight years either.
Meyler is 30
Hardly ancient.
And with a new 2 year contract in his back pocket
JJ was # 5 in the Irish outhalf position. IRFU had no intention of giving extra €€ to Munster to hold on to him.
That is a huge mistake. I applaud the IRFU for what they’ve been doing lately, but they should be ashamed of themselves for this.
ROG likes admiring JJ’s balls. Extra! Extra!
Sounds as if ROG might’ve advised Hanrahan to go
This is the sixth article since Wednesday about a bench warmer. Let’s knock it on the head now.
I love your balls.
Hanrahan left because he didn’t have faith in the Munster coaching set up and is pretty confident that in two years time, should he wish to return there will be a very different coaching team in place. On that, I share his confidence.
The Munster suits knocked on in grand style when the allowed Rob Penney to leave and it will be a lost period for Munster. How long it takes to recover is anybody’s guess. The likes of Hanrahan leave and, when or if, other young promising players like Henshaw reviews his options you can rest assured joining a Munster set up under the current coaching team will not make his short list of 10. It could be a lost decade and given the growing pressure on the finances of Irish rugby “clubs” Munster’s ability to attract financial sponsorship has been badly impaired. We might never again grace the European final.
Let’s pass judgement when season is finished,still all to play for!
Abtim, Mr. C S is right, it’s not about comparing Munster with anyone else, it’s about comparing Munster against their own potential and their jacking of both Penny and now Hanrahan shows they’ve got that ideological attachment to the old style flairless rugby.
It’s almost like they don’t realise that they have the potential to be a really talented side. That usually Irish obsession with ‘solidity’ and ‘seniority’ again and rating those things over real talent.
And pointing elsewhere and saying “yeah well we beat Leinster” doesn’t really change the point we’re making because we all know Leinster are piss poor at the moment!
Does O’Gara do any coaching over there? He has an opinion on absolutely everything. Never keeps his mouth shut.
As do you. At least his opinion is qualified you clown
Ha ha Robsonkeane Keane got absolutely owned
Nice one Anthony…. :-D
Holy shit, that was some burn!
Going by JJ’s style of play I’d imagine he felt the Munster environment was stifling his development, and also the fact he was getting minimal game time which wasn’t going to change, so he decided to leave.. From what I’ve seen (correct me if I’m wrong) Northampton have been playing some attractive rugby and they have world class players. Being only 22, his development might be better off over there and then he can come back, assuming Munster still want him.
It is a good opportunity to play with the likes of North and Burrell. Hopefully Irish sides won’t lose to Northampton because of him
Really d0nt get the argument regarding munster stifling his play. If he was a winger, fullback the arguement would be valid.. However as a flyhalf/center he would have plenty of opportunity to get his hands on the ball no matter how narrow foley wants the team to play. He’s left for more gametime pure and simple
“He feels at the minute that Anthony has placed his faith in Ian Keatley and he doesn’t see that changing in the 6-18 month period. ”
The most illuminating comment on the whole episode.
You admire his balls, ROG. I’ll admire his courage.
Disappointing time for Munster and their supporters. But the old saying “pay peanuts and you get monkeys” has come back to haunt us.
Sorry to say but Anthony and his coaching team are really the “Faulty Towers” of Irish Rugby at present.
I wish JJ all the best in the future and I know we will see him in the Green very soon.
they are the top Irish side in the league and in with a shout of progressing in Europe (distant maybe but they were third favourites in the group at the start of the campaign) so if that makes them the ‘Faulty Towers’ of Irish Rugby then I’m happy to stay there!
Clueless comment.
Ridiculous comment. There are other Irish teams with far more worrying coaching tickets.
“Unfortunately He didn’t feel like waiting in the shadows for us and playing number 2″
Another PR disaster for Munster rugby ….and what a message to send out to any member of a squad ….
Best of luck to JJ in Northhampton …they are lucky to get a player of his vision and calibre
Ps come back soon ROG
Cian, who are the other Irish teams with far more worrying coaching tickets?
His balls ARE unreal…
I’d love to admire his balls.
Rog really loves balls
Nice one Axel
Foley out