Tries hold key to Munster’s rugby destiny
How crucial will that last gasp bonus point prove next month? Psychologically, I think it will have a huge effect. Apart altogether from Munster having the composure, will, belief and capacity to pilfer 10 points in the last seven minutes, Clermont were the ones who should have displayed those characteristics in order to score a fourth try and a bonus point for themselves.
That lack of ruthlessness is one of the main reasons they have never won a Heineken Cup.
They left the door ajar when they should have finished Munster off. That losing bonus puts Munster on 10 points and even before they boarded the bus for the airport at the Stade Marcel Michelin, the management had set themselves a target of finishing the pool on 19 points which should be sufficient to secure one of the three best runners-up slots on offer.
In simple terms, that translates into a victory over Saracens in north London followed by a bonus-point win over Sale at Thomond Park the following week. Munster having to get a five-point return from their final outing in Limerick? Sound familiar?
Munster thrive on those backs-to-the-wall scenarios but the immediate task is to devise a game plan to beat Saracens on their new artificial pitch at Allianz Park. At least Munster have already enjoyed a trial run on a similar 4G surface, beating the Cardiff Blues at the Arms Park last month.
The only issue with having to chase a four-try win bonus against Sale is that for some reason Munster, and Leinster for that matter, are finding it increasingly difficult to score tries in Europe this season. Munster have the lowest return in Pool 1 with five, one less than basement side Sale. Clermont have scored 11 and Saracens nine.
The most satisfying aspect of Munster’s performance in defeat last Sunday, and one that may yet contribute to addressing that try-scoring deficiency, is the debate over whether Ian Keatley and JJ Hanrahan can play together in a first and second five-eight role has been put to bed.
Both in defence and attack they formed an effective partnership while the back line as a unit had a far better shape to it. The only downside was a serious knee injury to Andrew Smith which looks like scuppering the new centre pairing in its infancy.
Quite why it took so long to put this combination together remains a bit of a mystery but Munster need to persist with the 10/12 axis to enable Keatley and Hanrahan develop a better working relationship and understanding in the build-up to the key outing against Saracens in January.
Keatley deserves huge credit for his ability to put poor kicking performances in the Guinness Pro12 behind him going into the big European games. Against Ulster, prior to the first Clermont outing, he had a very poor night with the boot yet in the two games against the French he nailed all eight of his kicks at goal for a 100% return.
In addition, he was calmness personified setting up for that crucial last penalty on Sunday.
He knew exactly the significance of that kick but kept to his routine and delivered. Add that to his drop goal at the death against Sale at the AJ Bell Stadium and Keatley has delivered big time at the key moments in Europe so far this season.
Incredibly when it comes to scoring tries in this seasons Champions Cup, of the 20 competing teams, Leinster, along with pointless Benetton Treviso, are bottom of the list on four tries. Top of the pile are tournament dark horses Northampton with 22 but they have Treviso in their pool which helps.
The biggest threat to Leinster’s quarter-final aspirations could well prove to be Wasps, who have registered 14 tries in their four pool outings to date. Leinster have to travel to their new home at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry for their final game in what could turn out to be a winner-takes-all affair.
Prior to that, Leinster entertain a Castres side at the RDS that has already thrown in the towel in this competition. Incredibly for a side that won the French championship only two seasons ago, they find themselves bottom of the Top 14 at present.
The Champions Cup is proving an irritable distraction for them at present but Leinster struggled to put them away when they visited the Stade Pierre Antoine.
That has been a recurring theme for Matt O’Connor’s side all season but then again we shouldn’t be too surprised given the quality of leadership and experience they have lost to injury and retirement over the past two seasons.
You cannot afford to lose players of the calibre of Isa Nacewa, Brian O’Driscoll, Leo Cullen, Sean O’Brien and Cian Healy and hope to be as effective on the field.
The biggest loss of all however was inflicted by short-sighted decision making within the corridors of the IRFU resulting in the departure of Johnny Sexton to Paris.
The arrival of new director of rugby David Nucifora has addressed that issue and streamlined the way international contracts are now being negotiated. He played a key role in securing Sexton’s return to Leinster colours from next season onwards. No messing around this time out.
A four-year contract was put on the table, the terms and conditions were transparent and up front, enabling Sexton to negotiate without the necessity of operating through an agent.
That was a big turnaround.
Sexton is more than just a quality out-half. He is a leader who not only sets standards but demands those same standards from everyone else in the set-up, be it players or coaching staff. Of even more importance, he is passionate about playing for Leinster. He walks the walk. Leinster badly need someone of that stature back in the dressing room.
The other frustrating issue to emerge from the weekends action and one that needs to be addressed prior to next seasons World Cup is the interminable time it is taking referees and TMOs to make decisions on review.
Referee Romain Poite referred to his TMO Eric Gonthier on three separate occasions in the second half alone at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday. The three incidents took up more than 13 minutes. That is madness. Even worse, they didn’t even get it right. I know its the festive season but this was a pantomime too far.
