Restore Munster players pride

As we enter the business end of the Heineken Cup, I have to admit confidence in the probability of Munster winning in 2014 seems remote. Yet, year in year out, there is always hope and none more so than this year.

As a fanatical long-term supporter of Munster, I find it difficult to accept this situation as since 2006, and especially after 2008, Munster rugby has lost its ‘Munsterism’. No matter what, all Munster players had a mind set, ‘as tough as nails’. They were hard, abrasive and confident in their plan, and we (supporters) knew they would never, ever say die. When you put on the red jersey you entered the zone of Munsterism and nothing or nobody could penetrate that zone. Yes, we have witnessed some remarkable ‘ miracle’ matches along the way since then, but equally some dismal results as well.

My contention is that the professional game has ‘turned’ ordinary players into superstars overnight. This is understandable in a modern media driven society and none more so after winning in Europe. These ‘honest’ players become the news item immediately and became household names overnight. However, these same players cannot deal with this adulation and complacency enters their mindset.

How many times, (recently) have we witnessed below par performances by Munster against ‘inferior teams’ in, say, Rabo Direct games, or to a lesser extent in the Heineken Cup? These same players have lost their ‘honesty’ and have become ‘complacent’ in their approach to their game. Consider the All Blacks recently in the Aviva — possibly complacent in the first half — totally honest in second half.

This is one of the greatest mental skills that the Munster management have to instil into the present squad. They will need to encourage the players that the tradition/responsibility of wearing the red jersey is not a divine right but one of extreme application and dedication.

Each player must reflect on the historical importance of the number of that jersey and to try to emulate the exploits of these past players. The management will have to encourage players to block outside influences (media) and work on their own mindset to develop their own game with total dedication to training and playing.

Greg McInerney

Naas

Co Kildare