WHEN MUNSTER WENT 19-13 down with 68 minutes played yesterday, Johann van Graan had a flashback.
It’s 2007 and the Bulls, for whom van Graan is an assistant coach under Heyneke Meyer, are playing the Sharks in the Super Rugby final.
The Bulls go 19-13 down too, before a piece of individual magic from Bryan Habana – after the Sharks had failed to kick to touch – with the clock in red, followed by Derick Hougaard conversion gives them a stunning 20-19 victory.
Almost 11 years later, something incredibly similar occurred in Thomond Park as van Graan’s flashback proved to be a prediction of what was to come.
Andrew Conway didn’t quite wait until the clock was in the red – scoring in the 75th minute – but he kept a Toulon kick to touch in play before setting off on a mazy solo run for a stunning try that allowed Ian Keatley to convert for a 20-19 win.
While yesterday’s success didn’t bring a title for van Graan’s team, it did send them into a Champions Cup semi-final in France against the winner of today’s clash between Racing 92 and Clermont.
Van Graan, in his first season with Munster, has already equalled the achievement of his predecessor Rassie Erasmus in reaching the last four of Europe, but he was keen to heap the praise on his players after the emotional rollercoaster.
“Gratitude is the main word,” said van Graan when asked for his feelings. “It’s a fantastic honour to coach a group of players like that.”
This is clearly the high point for Munster under van Graan so far, although he believes there is more to come from this team.
“I think we can improve a lot. We went to the air quite a bit and to be fair to them, they handled it quite well. We really focused on our work rate and we said the impacts would need to be massive.
“I thought there was one moment with the scrum when our front row came on that turned the tide.
“The Munster way is to do it the difficult way.
“If it’s going to be better than this, it’s going to be something amazing. All the odds were stacked against us and I don’t think a lot of people gave us a chance, but if you’ve got 23 guys who believe, as well as the coaching and management that believe, a squad that believes, a club that really believes, you can do the unthinkable and make dreams come true.”
Van Graan took pleasure from the fact that Munster were able to close out the game in defence, his impression being that they showed great discipline not to give Toulon a final chance to grab victory.
While the head coach continued to push the praise onto others, he did say this was close to a new peak in his career emotionally.
“In terms of emotion, this is close to the best for me personally,” said the former Springboks forwards coach. “Beating the All Blacks is a big part of rugby but in terms of Munster, this is incredible.
“I said from day one: it’s not about me. I want to be part of something special and I’m proud to be the coach for a performance like that. All credit to all the management and players.
“One of my personal sayings is that one point is the biggest and smallest margin in the world. We’ll take one point.”
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
I said earlier in the year that munster making a semi final would be a major success given the coaching changeover and the injuries we’ve had. I’m one happy guy this morning. Van Graan has clearly bought into the munster way and is making guys play to their maximum ability.
@Jim Demps: can’t argue with that. Fantastic run so far. The switching of coaches could have been a disaster but the whole club handled it very very well. Still hoping for a munster Leinster final. Either way both sides are back at the top of European rugby. Well done munster
@Jim Demps: it was a pleasure to be at that game yesterday, the game and atmosphere was incredible, people did not want to leave the ground afterwards , it was one of those incredible days
@Jim Demps: Congratulations Jim. You certainly had great belief in the lead up to the match quoting passion etc.Well you were right and here’s hoping Leinster do the business today.
@Tom Reilly: thanks Tom. Munster have always been at their best when the odds seem stacked against them and yesterday they showed that aggression passion and heart count for much more than natural ability. Hopefully Leinster can beat Saracens as well today. I suspect they will win handy too.
@Jim Demps: they showed that aggression passion and heart count for much more than money, what was on show yesterday cannot be bought.
@Jim Demps: very Munster decision bringing in that front row when they did, reckon that was Fla’ great tho.
@thesaltyurchin: I think they’ve actually gone for the better scrummagers to finish the game rather than start. I haven’t seen any other team do it but the bench front row is arguably better than the starting, certainly in terms of scrummaging. It makes the difference in terms of getting and not conceding penalties when they matter the most.
@Jim Demps: Definitely an interesting decision and one the went a long way to winning the game.
@Eddie Hekenui: maybe I’m wrong in saying that that was the intention but it looked like it to me. It certainly won us a crucial penalty when the front row was changed.
@Jim Demps: Wouldn’t surprise me if it was the intention. I’ve seen French teams do it a few times where they’ll hold the best scrummagers in reserve then throw them on as a unit after 45/50 minutes and turn the screw. With the penalty and then making a mess of the Toulon scrum in the build it to the try it worked a treat. I’ve been hugely impressed with Cronin the few times I’ve seen him this season. It’d be great if he could stay fit and get a run of games.
@Eddie Hekenui: I rate Cronin higher than killer to be honest. Just gets injured all the time. He’s a real tough nut and great scrummager
@Martin Quinn: Do you go on every article just trying to stir up provincial cat fights?
As a Leinster man who’s only ever been to one rugby game in my life, I have to say that watching Munster play, and fight, like they did yesterday, and like they have done so many times since European competitions have begun, has time and time again, filled me with wonderment and awe! What that red jersey does to any man lucky enough to pull it on is truly remarkable. Or maybe it’s the man himself. Whichever, it’s a joy to behold!
@Joe L: If you ever go to another match, make it one at Thomond on a big match day. There is no stadium like it, no crowd like it. I love that club so flippin much! Legends!
‘If’ we don’t win a scrap of silver this season I for one won’t be overly disappointed. What VG has managed in the time he’s been with munster has to be applauded. We are still in the mix for league and cup even with a mountain of injuries .As VG said during the week I saw warriors out there today.
A great victory showing true Munster values , and will result in Boudejall taking out an even bigger chequebook . Because he is not capable of realising that some things can’t be bought , and performance is one of those things .
Now if Leinster can beat Saracens it’s another victory for the IRFU’s policy …
Ref spoke to Albie Matheson after conversion of Conway try and told him if Keatley had missed it would have been retaken because Matheson shouted during conversion. In that case Munster should have been awarded a penalty from halfway for foul play………or am I missing something?
@Michael Murray: I think he just retakes it and opposition players can’t charge the 2nd attempt?
@Barry Mullane: thanks for that.
Have to say, hats off to Johan VG – he’s too humble. His attitude is always positive and is clearly driving the players – they want to play for him. And technically, yesterday his tactics were spot on. It’s a win for the ages.
Fantastic victory and real edge of the seats stuff.
The Irish rugby dream continues, however we do have to be honest enough to to say that it was a fortunate victory and if we were a French supporter we would be wondering how the hell we lost that one
Come on Leinster to seal the deal today