Rugby: Judgement day for McRae
But for me, the highlight was witnessing Munster's historic victory over Gloucester in Thomond Park in what has since become known as the "Miracle Match."
While Munster's dreams of Heineken Cup success were once more shattered on the green fields of France against Toulouse, the 33 6 defeat of the Zurich Premiership leaders was a phenomenal achievement.
That defeat hurt Gloucester badly. Fate has decreed that the sides now meet once again in the pool stages of this year's competition. The next ten days will prove pivotal in Munster's quest to reach the holy grail of European success.
While Gloucester has struggled somewhat this season, the circumstances surrounding their defeat in Limerick last year is sure to inspire a passionate performance from both team and supporters in Kingsholm on Saturday.
As if the drama that unfolded in Thomond Park last season wasn't enough to excite the public, there is also the fact that Munster's talismanic out-half Ronan O'Gara comes face to face with Gloucester's new signing at out-half, Duncan McRae.
The latter captured the headlines for all the wrong reasons when New South Wales Waratahs played the Lions in Australia in the summer of 2001.
In what was the most vicious assault that we have seen in a game of rugby since it went professional in 1995, McRae's unprovoked attack on O'Gara caused an outrage when he reined eleven blows to the face of the Irish man while he was trapped on the ground.
Two weeks ago, McRae publicly pronounced his embarrassment at his actions and his intention to apologise to O'Gara when they meet.
Some two and a half years down the track, it suddenly dawns on McRae that now may be an opportune time to apologise to the Munster No. 10. Could it be that a visit to Thomond Park had the effect of awakening Mr McRae's conscience?
When one tries to rationalise McRae's actions on the day, the background to the game should be taken into consideration. On the previous Saturday, the Lions played outstanding rugby in their comprehensive 42 8 victory over the Queensland Reds.
Queensland traditionally have an outstanding record against touring sides and only three weeks previously contested the semi-final of the Super 12 competition. The manner of the defeat and the quality of the Lions performance stung the Australian public.
Given that the game against the Waratahs was the last outing prior to the first test, the pressure was on them to take some scalps. And despite a 41-24 victory to the Lions, Waratahs' captain Phil Waugh confirmed, "we got what we wanted out of the game. They will have some bruised bodies in the morning."
The tone was set from the kick-off when the Waratahs second row Tom Bowman took out Danny Grewcock and was immediately sin binned. In a game of intense physicality, five more players were sin binned prior to the sending off of McRae.
As if the incident wasn't bad enough, I can still see McRae waving to the New South Wales supporters as he walked down the sideline after his dismissal. It was clear he felt no remorse. In the twenty-four hours after the incident, the thing that annoyed me most was his failure to apologise to O'Gara.
That's why I was even more disappointed two weeks ago when McRae publicly stated: "I was sorry at the time but I have never met Ronan and if I do get to meet him next month I would like to apologise to him personally."
McRae is obviously suffering from selective memory lapses. The morning after the Sydney incident, Ronan O'Gara and I were summoned to a disciplinary hearing in the offices of the Australian Rugby Union.
In the judicial hearing that followed, Waratahs coach Bob Dwyer tried to justify McRae's actions by saying that O'Gara had kicked him in the genitalia.
I was incensed. Even the Australian commissioner looked embarrassed at that stage. I had known Dwyer for some years and felt he left himself down badly.
At no stage in the hearing did McRae even lift his head and look Ronan in the eye. At this time he was sitting less than three feet from Ronan and myself. How, two and a half years later he can proclaim he never met O'Gara beggars belief.
SINCE McRae arrived in England two months ago; stories of the two epic encounters between Gloucester and Munster last season would have been spoken about in the dressing room. Tales of Munster's support base throughout Europe are now legendary, as is their unbeaten record in Thomond Park in European competition.
On Saturday next, McRae will have the opportunity of coming face to face with Ronan O'Gara once again in a famous red jersey.
I have no doubt he will seize the opportunity to close the chapter on that horrible incident in Sydney. It is only right that he should do so. However, he should not attempt to fool the general public with false declarations about his inability to do so in the past.
The Munster fans will make their own minds up on the issue. Suffice to say that McRae is assured a warm welcome when he takes to the field in Limerick on Saturday week.
There has been some suggestion that he may play at full back in that game. What an exciting prospect for the Munster faithful. Henry Paul filled the position in the corresponding fixture last year and never subsequently donned the number 15 jersey .
With a view to the game itself, Gloucester received a timely boost with a well deserved win against Leicester at Welford Road last Saturday. Munster would have been disappointed with their performance in their narrow victory over Connaught.
Yet the events of last year ensure that Saturday's game will be a cracker. Munster were well beaten, 35-16 in the corresponding fixture but neither Paul O'Connell or Donnacha O'Callaghan played due to injury.
At worst, a defeat with a bonus point would keep Munster well in the hunt for qualification. At their best, they are capable of winning this one but it will be tight. Either way, I will be keeping my eye on Mr McRae at the final whistle.
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