I am amazed that some in rugby consider the 2018-19 season a failure for Irish club rugby.
All four provinces reached the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup, the Challenge Cup and the Pro14, with Irish teams in the final of both major competitions. Wales would love a “bad club” year like Ireland is having.
I understand Munster want to win trophies and they are not doing that right now, but in reaching the semi-finals of both competitions their campaign can not be viewed as a failure. I am not promoting mediocrity but some reality is required.
The departures of Jerry Flannery and Felix Jones do raise legitimate debate. Being a member of a coaching team is like being in a family: there are tensions and fights.
Those who brought in a 'rookie' must now back Johann van Graan on his journey
In great coaching teams you develop life-long relationships that are forged out of a deep mutual respect, created by grinding seasons of competition, knowing at all times you always have each other’s back.
However, sometimes those relationships break. The stakes are very high and burn out happens. What is amazing is that when you leave a coaching team it is like taking your hand out of a bucket of water. There are a few ripples, then almost immediately, it is as if you were never there.
The game moves forward and waits for no one.
Opportunity
I wish both Jerry and Felix the best for their future. They deserve to get another gig. They have given great service to Munster.
The hard truth is their departures raise an opportunity for renewal and progress at Munster. That will be very hard for those two good men to hear, but that’s the reality in coaching.
If coach Johann van Graan brings in two South Africans that make him feel safe, he will be out the door next year. That mix of staff gives the perception of a takeover. That does not work in Ireland. Van Graan is a young developing head coach.
Those who brought in a “rookie” must now back him on his journey. Van Graan needs to show maturity and recruit coaches with high intellectual and technical abilities. Coaches who are not yes men and will challenge him and the players.
Munster have improved this season but their progress has not been sufficient to defeat teams who have the quality to make the final of the Heineken Cup. Munster are a slight step below, especially away from home.
To lay all the blame for this at the feet of van Graan and his staff is an over-simplification. Munster are a number of quality players short of challenging to win the European Cup. Munster are trapped in the “try-harder syndrome”. That is performing the same thing with more effort and wondering why it does not bring success. Trying harder is not the answer. Being smarter is the path to success.
Since Saracens crushed Munster, they have looked drained. Within the team that defeat seems to have driven home the reality of just how far the distance is between their dreams and the reality of winning the Heineken Cup.
The one hope for Munster is Leinster may feel a bit same this week.
This is Munster against Leinster. When these two teams meet there is an intergenerational rivalry and a deep culture of animosity
However, Leo Cullen’s leadership post-match was remarkable. After losing the biggest game of the year he was positive, smiling and talking about the “learnings” his team could take from the defeat into the Munster match.
He was impressive.
Yet, against Saracens while in possession, Leinster played a substantial amount of the second half inside their own half. Whether it is tactics, or Johnny Sexton’s perception of how he needs to manage the game, the Leinster kicking game came only from the scrumhalf. Against lesser teams, the concept of suffocating the opposition with possession works, but not against the best. Variety is required.
Wounds
Saracens compressed their defensive line and rushed Leinster. There was space at the end of and behind the Saracens rushing “D” line for an offensive short kicking game, but Leinster did not attack it.
These exact same tactics were used by England to defeat Ireland at the Aviva Stadium. Sexton and Leinster fell into the same trap against Saracens. Munster are not the only Irish team that requires change and growth. Leinster and Ireland must rethink their attack.
I suspect Munster will try to do the same and rush Leinster. The difference is Leinster will have seen how the big Saracen runners tore holes in the Munster defence. That image will be very tempting for Leinster. A big running game that hurts the Munster “D” will heal of lot wounds for the men in blue.
You see, after Saracens ruthlessly broke both these teams’ hearts, this game is deeply personal.
This is Munster against Leinster. When these two teams meet there is an intergenerational rivalry and a deep culture of animosity. Despite all public statements to the contrary, this rivalry borders on the obsessive.
More than anything else in the professional era, this rivalry has powered Irish rugby. Don’t be fooled into believing this is just another game.
Sure there is a place in the final up for grabs but here is something much more important at stake for both these teams: pride.
At full-time on Saturday, one team will have a soothing balm, smoothed over a healing scar, and the other will have to deal with the reopening of a deep wound, after the scab has just been painfully ripped off.
