RUGBY ANALYSIS: It isn't sufficient for Lafeimi Mafi to step off his outside foot, drop his shoulder, wriggle like an eel through the tackle and expect the Perpignan sea to open, writes LIAM TOLAND
SOME TIME back John Lennon was asked whether Ringo Starr was the best drummer in the world. Lennon replied that he wasn’t even the best drummer in the Beatles!
As predicted, last weekend was one for the outhalves, with suggestions that Paul Warwick deserved a shot at 10 for Munster. Was Ronan O’Gara the best outhalf in the southern province? Clearly a motivated O’Gara once again clinched the hard-fought victory.
Up north, Ian Humphreys inspired Ulster’s win over Stade Francais; for Connacht, Ian Keatley was on fire in England; and Shaun Berne likewise facilitated his Leinster team-mates in their demolition of Scarlets.
In Thomond Park, the ease with which Perpignan double-teamed Munster ball-carriers, preventing a breach of their line, was very impressive. But players of Munster’s quality should not allow themselves to be double-teamed. It is a combat indicator of stagnant play. It implies limited attacking options, followed by poor decoy running (fixing defenders). Munster were not able to create space; in fact, they allowed the Perpignan defenders to dominate.
However, it is cup rugby and Munster won a great battle, and will need to do so again on Sunday.
So the question still remains: how can Munster score five-pointers? And they will find it even more difficult to cross the Perpignan line in France.
Problems continue in the set-piece in Jerry Flannery’s absence, but the real neutraliser in red remains in the midfield. I still believe “eyes-up” rugby is misunderstood. It simply isn’t sufficient for Lafeimi Mafi to step off his outside foot, drop his shoulder, wriggle like an eel through the tackle and expect the Perpignan sea to open. Munster are not working as a team in attack.
Contrast that to Leinster’s third try from Eoin Reddan’s quick lineout throw. Leinster’s ability to play eye’s up rugby in a controlled way is now excellent. Ulster’s scores against Stade indicate they have become comfortable as a unit.
So what’s the difference?
First, Perpignan are a much stronger side than Llanelli or Stade were last weekend. Second, Leinster scored tries from a quick lineout throw-in. Once Reddan found CJ van der Linde it was on. All the subsequent ball-carriers played in tandem, searching for the far corner flag through Isa Nacewa, Jamie Heaslip and Rob Kearney, who finally put Berne away. Although it was off-the-cuff, if a pause button had been pushed at any stage of that particular passage of play everyone in blue could have articulated the outcome.
Eyes-up rugby is based on a combined understanding of every opportunity available at any one time. It’s no advantage to the team when lone players who spot a gap head off without the uniformed support from their backline.
Mafi, unfortunately, is guilty of unsettling the natural flow of an attack where his outside players are being thwarted. If selected, he must embrace the ever-evolving pattern of defence in front of him in conjunction with his 10, 11, 13, 14 and 15, and create space for a better-placed carrier.
In many ways inside centre is a selfless position. But if played correctly it can provide huge reward for those outside. Kevin Maggs, Scott Gibbs, Trevor Halstead, Rob Henderson and many other 12s will long be remembered for crashing through defenders. They, however, understood the nuances of creating opportunities for their outside backs. Mafi needs time with O’Gara and Keith Earls to find this balance.
Many of the inaccuracies can be managed, and, as Munster have two extra days of preparation, there should be a vast improvement in go-forward ball. But I fear it won’t be enough.
Not least because Perpignan will improve.
I had big expectations for the Perpignan outhalf, but Hume disappointed. His kicking game was aimless, but his failure to use his bulk was most annoying. If he had performed even O’Gara wouldn’t have saved Munster.
O’Gara looks far more at home with his national team centres than he does at Munster. This, obviously, is no fault of his but of circumstance. How he would benefit from Rua Tipoki back at 12.
Well, it’s not to be, so in the meantime Tony McGahan must educate Mafi or go with Jean de Villiers at 12. The Springbok’s balance would allow the backline to function. The selection conundrum simply won’t go away.
As good as Leinster were last week, the Scarlets were very poor. it was interesting to hear Scarlets coach Nigel Davies’ view after been beaten by 32 points to seven: “If you are going to beat Leinster at their home, you have got to be on top of your game – not a few per cent off, which is what we were last weekend”.
If they were only a few per cent below par at home and lost by 25 points, then the 17-point head start the bookies are giving them looks very inviting for Leinster. Isa Nacewa and Shane Horgan played very well and Horgan took his try extremely well. But not even Jonah Lomu in 1995 would expect to gain such ground untouched. The Scarlets have problems with the Leinster pace, and while they may huff and puff tomorrow, they will not blow the RDS down.
Having been in Thomond Park last Friday to witness the mighty tussle, it’s hard not to pick the return match as the “must be seen” encounter this weekend. But for those sick and tired of tactical rugby, Clermont Auvergne are anything but. Watch them tomorrow away in Leicester. Unreal!
Finally, Conor O’Shea’s appointment as director of rugby at Harlequins raises one obvious question. How long will it be before the next Declan Kidney is unearthed? Does Irish rugby have the appetite to take a chance on another Irish man?
With that in mind, I really hope that Ulster can do in Brussels and Connacht in Galway what they have struggled for so long to achieve. Back-to-back wins.
