Arnold Schwarzenegger’s commencement address to the University of Southern California in 2009 was built around his six rules of success. Concerning his sixth rule Schwarzenegger jogged my memory: “Just remember, you can’t climb the ladder of success with your hands in the pockets.”
I always thought this was player related (not training hard enough etc). Dublin football manager Jim Gavin noted this week that his 2015 plans are locked and loaded. Wow! I wonder how often the tippex bottle will come out before New Year? Due to Munster's growing restricted player availability the management must be carrying a bottle of tippex each!
However, what was clear against Edinburgh was the obvious development in the province's play. Clearly there'll be teething problems early on, such as Munster's first scrum where loosehead John Ryan hit and held a good body height but scrumhalf Duncan Williams waited way too long, giving Edinburgh's tighthead John Andress an advantage and penalty. That the Munster scrum was 60m from the Edinburgh try line begs the question: why so slow? But these and other issues will be ironed out and John Ryan put in a fine shift.
What was obvious was Munster's intent in getting to the gain line through simple passes. Players like Donncha O'Callaghan worked extremely hard off rucks, taking flat and wide ball on the gain line, producing simple, less complicated and better percentage outcomes which put much-needed pressure on Edinburgh's defence. Ian Keatley at 10 looked comfortable, hungry for space but conscious of decoy runners.
Another interesting dynamic on show for those of you in Thomond Park tomorrow evening is the relationship between the water boys Mick O’Driscoll, Jerry Flannery and the players. Watching the body language of the players is fascinating as O’Driscoll and Flannery mentor them. What an asset Foley has on the pitch during breaks in play. Hence Munster’s first three lineouts went to a variety of catchers but to the one target – second in the lineout. Again this was sensible play to ease hooker Kevin O’Byrne into Thomond Park. And suddenly he hit a real beauty into Donncha O’Callaghan’s hands at the tail which was off the top and another crisp attack set off.
That said two improved areas would aid this crispness of gain-line rugby: namely, the breakdown where Munster turned over way too easily; and, second, the physicality as evidenced in the lineout maul.
Munster’s first real attacking lineout maul close in was smashed on an outer wheel by Edinburgh with the follow-up equally aggressive on the ground from the Scots. Edinburgh had some big boys in their front five but secondrow Ollie Atkins was far too liberal with his elbows to have survived in Thomond Park. It’s a massive ask for any secondrow to fill Donnacha Ryan’s shoes but this aspect would be a good place to start: neutralise the opposition enforcers. And in so doing, Munster’s scrumhalf will have a speedier service.
Leinster may argue that they are ramping up to approaching Munster in the Aviva before firing in Europe. But last Friday night there were very interesting tell-tale signs in green and blue.
I was particularly looking forward to Leinster's 10-12 axis as led by Jimmy Gopperth and Ian Madigan.
Obviously they bring an added kicking dimension, solid in defence and an explosive attack. But how did the other Leinster players react? So I focused on these two guys.
Leinster players will take time to settle in the 10-12 axis (pending Gordon D’Arcy of course). But it had the propensity to confuse a tad; who was the focal point? Disappointingly Leinster provided limited inventive or interesting rugby. Was this a tactic or Connacht’s ability to stifle?
Hence teething issues. Their attack may have erred in splitting their resources at times which confused supporting runners. But in time this ability will become devastating, especially for a lively backrow with Jamie Heaslip prominent. As this improves he will reap huge rewards.
With one eye on the upcoming Guinness series my mind then drifted towards the secondrows. Who will partner Paul O’Connell? Devin Toner has grown into such an important all-rounder. In Galway it was revealing to see so much go through him. So then the real question is the secondrow bench. With injury devastating many of the resources it comes down to style. This column has long been a fan of Mick McCarthy.
McCarthy has the physical dexterity to add real value around the ball. But a Brad Thorn rucking style of monster clearouts, at very low heights, would be the cream come South Africa.
liamtoland@yahoo.com
