LAST NIGHT A group of 28 Munster players boarded a plane for South Africa ahead of Saturday’s Champions Cup round of 16 date with the Sharks, a game which head coach Graham Rowntree believes will demand their biggest performance of the season.
In other words, a world away from the display against Glasgow last Saturday. The opening half at Thomond Park was one of the most disappointing performances Munster have turned out since Rowntree took the helm, trailing 28-0 at half-time, and while they improved in the second half, the damage had already been done, the home side losing 38-26.
Munster know they can’t afford a repeat this weekend.
“We don’t suddenly become a rubbish team,” Rowntree said. “We can score tries.
At best, it was a good learning experience for us, how little errors get away and it can escalate, but we go over to South Africa now even more determined, even more hardened, I feel from what I have seen (at training) today in particular.”
The Sharks can blow hot and cold but should present a formidable test on home soil, as the Champions Cup knockouts head to South Africa for the first time.
The South African side also head into the game on the back of a disappointing URC loss – going down 32-20 at the Scarlets – but Rowntree expects to see a different side to them at Kings Park Stadium.
The Sharks have a number of Springbok internationals in their ranks – including Siya Kolisi, Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Eben Etzebeth, Lukhanyo Am and Makazole Mapimpi – and Rowntree likened the challenge to Munster’s round four trip to Toulouse, where the province played some brilliant rugby but lost by four points.
“That was a real challenge, that was like a Test match that game away in Toulouse. Could’ve, should’ve won it,” Rowntree continued.
“So, it’s going to need a similar performance or a better performance this week. That’s what we are aiming for.
“Get our game going, look after the ball closer to their line, be better in the collisions than we were last week and respect their power game.
“As I keep saying, you play these big packs, I don’t want to be defending mauls all day. It takes it out of you, so our scrum and our maul has got to be spot on, as I thought it was in Toulouse in January over there. So, all those aspects, we have to respect.”
For all Munster’s history in the competition, a European knockout game in South Africa is a first, but Rowntree was keen to play down the suggestion that the travel involved makes it a particularly challenging week for the group to manage.
“That’s what this sport is, you get on with it and deal with adversity. We’ve had a few bits of adversity thrown at us. It’s part of sport now, travelling. The South African teams are doing it more than anyone and they seem to be going alright.
“You hear about these huge Stormers’ props squeezing themselves into economy. We’ll be doing the same. We’ll try to squeeze Roman Salanoa into a seat tonight.
But you’ve got to get on with it. That is sport, travelling, and what an experience for the lads to go and play in; different continents, playing against teams who play in different competitions. It’s part of sport. These are the memories you look back on. As a player I certainly did.
“I look back on my career and some monumental games in Europe. I was even showing some of the front-rowers this morning, some scrums of myself playing for Leicester against Stade Francais in the 2001 final. Ridiculous scrummaging. And some ridiculous cheating from me as well. And they enjoyed that. But as I pointed out to them, I said: ‘More scrums stayed up that day’.
“But no, special memories, and we were cheaper. Special memories from a sport playing in huge European competitions.”
The Champions Cup is certainly a special competition for Munster, and even with the more difficult travel logistics involved, Rowntree is expecting to see a few pockets of red in the Kings Park Stadium.
“I’ll be amazed if there’s not a lot of travelling Munster fans there, if there’s not a sea of red somewhere. There usually is. They follow us everywhere. Our fans are incredible.
“It’s a brilliant occasion and the lads are lucky, they’re lucky, to go and play in places like this in this competition.
“What a challenge, but what a memory it will be, and the club is built on this. It’s a special competition for us. It’s the next game. What happened last Saturday is going to drive us on even more.”
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Hard to know where either Munster or the Sharks are after last weekend. However I am worried that they will really miss Tadgh Beirne, who consistently churns out huge performances in these tough games.
No you didn’t become a rubbish team overnight, you became a rubbish team from years of short term buys, world cup winners, Leinster imports which have all diluted the once extremely strong culture the team once had.
@Liam Kelly: I think I’ve got it now. You are ChatGPT, aren’t you?
@Liam Kelly: Blaming losing on Leinster imports is pretty silly. You can have the best “culture” in the world, but if you aren’t producing quality players, then you still won’t win anything. World cup winners like Snyman and Fekitoa are not the reason why players like Scannell, Goggin, Archer, JOD, Casey and Killer don’t cut the mustard. There are some really good home-grown players coming through the academy or who have recently come out of it – the likes of Ahern and Edogbo, and I think the current coaching team are trying to implement a modern gameplan that will, in a few years, really reap benefits for the province. But Munster fans have to move away from blaming “outsiders” for damaging the Munster culture.
@Liam Kelly: You’re clearly a troll.
@JoeVlogs: what Munster gan said that.
@JoeVlogs: a bit harsh on Casey, he’s in the Ireland setup and consistently pushing Murray for starts. Most of the time he’s played for Munster, he brings excellent tempo that elevates their attack. Not sure why you’re singling him out.
@Brenda Collins: Well, Killer is also in the Irish set-up, arguably also third choice in his position like Casey, but I would have him on a list of players who are limited. Killer is a good ball carrier, but lacks in other elements of his game, such as his scrummaging (tends to angle in) and passing (as in, he won’t pass. Very easy to defend against him as it is basically forgone conclusion that he will carry into contact). I think Casey is similar – there are some good aspects of his play, such as his pass being accurate. However others, such as decision-making and ruck speed, are not up to par for a top quality scrumhalf. Considering how he compares to other scrum halves in Ireland, I would have him behind JGP, McGrath, Doak, Cooney, Marmion, Blade, Murray and Patterson. With his uncle coming into the coaching box next season, I’d say his position is secure, but he is no longer a young up and coming scrumhalf, and I’m not sure if arguably the ninth best scrumhalf in the country is the level Munster should be looking for.
@JoeVlogs: hahaha ah Joe come off it. You’re outdoing yourself on the mental gymnastics here. Speed of pass is key for scrumhalves, so yes, having a fast accurate pass would be crucial.
Calling him the 9th best scrumhalf in the country while he somehow makes it into the Ireland setup ahead of all of them is a view inspired by conspiracy. The national coaches must be totally ignorant or under threat from Mossy Lawlor. He’s not a young up-and-comer, you say – just the second-youngest, after Doak. Cooney and McGrath both in their early 30s, Patterson a year older, Blade five years older. I’m sure his decision-making will improve but at the age of 23, with 10 international caps and 60 provincial caps, he’s doing alright for himself. And only the 9th best scrumhalf in the country. Imagine.
It’s been an up and down season—plenty to grumble about, plenty to cheer about (shoutout to Hodnett and Patterson), but one massive plus for me is having a likeable coach. I think the importance of having a coach that players like and want to impress is underestimated.
G’wan the Wig!
@Justin Morrison: Seems to be a happier camp & things moving in the right direction. GR said there would be setbacks along the way & there have been.
Never expected much from this season so imo to make the URC QFs is a bonus. Next season should show further improvement & a home QF.
If Munster were to lose at the weekend, has there been any indication if the squad will stay in South Africa until their following URC matches, or will they head back to Limerick? It would be a long time away from their home base, but at the same time, given the travel involved and different climate, staying in South Africa could probably work best for them. No skin in the game, but I think it would actually be in Munster’s interest to lose this game – having to travel to play (almost certainly) Toulouse and then down to South Africa again in the space of two weeks to play two matches where they really cannot afford to come away empty handed (one against the best SA franchise, and then against a team fighting for CC qualification), would put a lot of pressure on the squad. I know competing in the champions cup is in Munster’s DNA, but there is a risk that by focusing on it now, when they have no realistic chance of getting past the next round, they will not qualify for it at all next year. That would be a serious, serious blow. Putting a good, brave performance this week, having a down week next week, and then getting some result from the two subsequent matches to qualify them for the Champions Cup, might be the best result for them.
@JoeVlogs: Makes no sense to travel back really, imagine they’ll stay. Europe is everything at Munster. Like a gambler with the last fiver.
Sharks by 5
@baz dunne: If our defence plays like it did last day & the second half v Scarlets it will be more like 55.
@: Can only see improvement… surely?!
@baz dunne: Munster beat the Scarlets 3 weeks ago without Beirne, O’Mahony, Murray, Casey, Kilcoyne, Healy and Haley. And Scarlets beat the Sharks who had Etzebeth, Kolisi, Am, Mapimpi, Nche, Mbonambi, Du Toit, Bosch, Hendrikse, Rensburg, Mchunu and Grobler (11 Springboks) last Saturday. And they beat them by 12 points. No reason why Munster can’t go down there and beat them now that the internationals are back. Beirne is a big loss but RG Snyman coming off the bench is good to see.
Rowntree’s assertion that Munster has not suddenly become a poor team sounds both defensive and weak minded.
It seems to me that he needs to set the bar much higher and take note of Paul O’Connell’s approach: “we cannot be just sometimes players”.
Hi
@david watson: hi dave
Sharks are an odd team. Some sensational International players in their squad, but it doesn’t seem to come together when it matters.
Munster do have a decent chance this weekend, the sting of last weekend’s awful performance could focus minds and effort.