Monday, May 26, 2008
TWO YEARS ago, I left the Millennium Stadium content I had witnessed a day that would never be surpassed in the history of Munster rugby. I was wrong. Saturday’s victory over Toulouse was even better.
To win the Heineken Cup for the second time in three seasons is a feat that elevates Munster to the pantheon of greats in the European game. To defeat Toulouse in a game that will go down as one of the classic contests of the professional era reflects even better on this outstanding group of players.
The IRB are championing the introduction of the Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) on this side of the world next August. Saturday demonstrated all the reasons why the changes craved by the southern hemisphere sides are not required. When rugby is played like this, why change it?
In a game that would always go to the wire, Munster won primarily because they had greater experience, particularly in the cauldron that separates the Millennium Stadium from all other rugby venues. Nothing can prepare you for a setting such as this. With the roof closed, this arena offers no place to hide. You must stand up and be counted. In this respect Munster had a surfeit of willing volunteers.
The composure, clarity of thinking and decision making, even with 15 seconds left on the clock, as displayed by Ronan O’Gara and Paul O’Connell, encapsulated the reason why Munster once again are kings of Europe. Two years ago, victory over Biarritz satisfied an overwhelming desire to end the pain of countless defeats at the death, defeats when the Heineken Cup was in touching distance. To repeat that feat against the most decorated opposition in Heineken Cup history marks Saturday’s victory as one of the truly great achievements in the history of Irish sport.
The sign of a true champion is to perform on the biggest stage against the best when it matters most. In this respect, Paul O’Connell not only led by example but provided several moments of inspiration that will live forever in the annals of Munster folklore.
With Munster protecting a slender four-point lead at the break, the first score in the second half would prove crucial. Given that Toulouse started the second half dominating territory, as they did in the opening quarter, it was imperative that Munster’s leaders led the path to deliverance.
Munster’s captain refused to hand the initiative to Toulouse. In a three-minute cameo between the 44th and 46th minute, O’Connell engineered two spectacular turnovers against Jean Bouilhou, the first within five metres of the try-line and complemented Alan Quinlan’s magnificent line out steal from Shaun Sowerby to clear the danger zone. It was a classic case of leading by example.
If experience proved the key ingredient to this success, then the collective discipline and organisation in defence, honed from countless hours of dedicated work from Munster’s defence coach Tony McGahan, never proved so rewarding. It will also elevate the Australian in the pecking order when Munster go in search of a replacement for Declan Kidney.
On the back foot for much of the opening half, Munster absorbed everything Toulouse had to throw at them without having their try-line breached. For this group of athletes, losing was simply not an option.
WHEN the TMO, Derek Bevan, offered a verdict of inconclusive in respect of Denis Leamy’s potential opening try, one feared the worst. It says everything for the character of this side that despite that potentially shattering disappointment, Leamy, who had his best game of the season, would not be denied. His crucial touchdown, the result of a magnificent tackle from Tomás O’Leary on Sowerby at the base of the scrum, offered Munster the path to glory.
That moment also encapsulated the outstanding contribution of O’Leary, who belied serious injury doubts about his hamstring to turn in a magnificent performance.
For Munster to reach half-time in the lead must have proved a crushing blow for the French men given their early dominance. When their experienced captain Fabien Pelous was dispatched to the sin-bin for a crazy lapse in discipline when kicking out at Quinlan, Toulouse looked doomed.
That said, you write them off at your peril. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Toulouse outscored Munster by 7-3 in Pelous’s absence, courtesy of a moment of inspiration from Cedric Heymans who was simply sublime in attack, laying the foundations for a great try from Yves Donguy. Toulouse may have been holed below the waterline losing their captain, but they had lifeboats aplenty.
In the crucial closing period, Munster displayed remarkable composure in controlling territory and possession, thus frustrating and denying Toulouse any opportunity of winning the game. A marginal forward pass from Rua Tipoki to Doug Howlett denied the New Zealander a try that would surely have adorned the history of this magnificent tournament for years to come.
In the end, pragmatism in the form of an 18-phase protection of possession ensured Munster a second Heineken Cup.
In the face of unrelenting pressure, there were heroes aplenty. From the front row of Horan, Flannery and Hayes, who never yielded an inch in the scrum, Munster stood firm.
Their lineout also emerged on top, winning three French throws at vital times.
While Leamy and David Wallace were superb, Quinlan lived up to the assertion by his opposite number Bouilhou before the game that the Tipperary man is the best No. 6 in Europe at present.
When Munster were on the retreat in the opening 10 minutes, Quinlan offered hope with one inspirational hit on the massive Thierry Dusautoir, not to mention his interception of Byron Kelleher’s pass, which presented Munster with their first opportunity to get out of their half.
Ian Dowling capped another magnificent performance with two inspired defensive hits when Munster were on the ropes.
Denis Hurley will have learned much from this experience, not least the vast gulf in class between All-Ireland League rugby and European competition, and he will emerge as a leader in the next generation of Munster players.
Six years ago Declan Kidney left Munster for national duty at a time when the province was at a dangerous crossroads. Two final defeats in three seasons meant that his team was very much a work in progress.
On this occasion, he leaves with mission accomplished. There is simply nothing more to prove. Munster are a genuine European superpower
His successor has a difficult act to follow.
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