Where there’s Payne, there’s gain for Munster

OVER the years, Munster have made several outstanding signings.

Rhys Ellison, John Langford, Jim Williams immediately spring to mind as individuals who, through their absolute professionalism, through personal example, through advice and influence on the native youngsters around them, have helped to progress the oval-ball game in the province.

To that august list could well be added Shaun Payne. Another relatively unheralded player, when the South African came to Munster at the start of last season from Swansea, there was no dancing in the streets of either Limerick or Cork.

But Payne, like the others before him, is different. Though not made in Munster, he is very definitely made FOR Munster.

On the field, in his first season he was voted Player of the Year by the Munster Supporters Club. With Payne’s outstanding displays, whether at his favourite position of full-back, on the wing, or in the centre, that honour was well-earned. Off the field, this extremely affable South African has bought into the Irish way of life, completely.

Resident in Cork initially, he is now renting in Ballina, Co Tipperary, across the bridge from his provincial captain Anthony Foley, a Killaloe native. Given his new-found interest in hurling, it should be interesting if Tipperary and Clare meet in the Munster championship.

“It’s a fascinating game, quite unusual, and I got into it this year. I’m aware of the rivalry there between Tipp and Clare with the bridge linking the two towns and counties. I’ve been getting the low-down from Axel (Foley’s nickname). My wife Michelle and myself have made a lot of great friends here in a short space of time.

“We had been living in Douglas, in Cork, where we also made a lot of friends, but moved to Ballina in September last year. The travelling up and down to Limerick for training was becoming a bit much. In fact a lot of the Cork lads are overnighting there now, after training, but I’ve got two young babies, and it would be a bit unfair to be spending too much time away from home. We spend enough weekends away as it is.”

So he made the decision to move from the European Capital of Culture 2005 to a village in Tipperary of which no one has ever heard. He is unfazed by it all.

“Let me put it this way, I’m a country boy, so a place like Ballina suits me.” And so, too, does playing for a province such as Munster. The game that really did it for me was the semi-final last year, in Lansdowne Road. We were driving out to the ground, and I don’t know how many Munster supporters were lining the streets. It gave me goosebumps, that day. The only pity was we didn’t win.”

A strong and courageous defender, pacy attacker with good instinctive lines bred from a lifetime of playing the game, Payne has already proven his worth to Munster. And there may be more to come, when the boots are retired.

“Coaching at the top is probably the most difficult job of all, but certainly I will continue my involvement in rugby after I’ve finished as a professional.

“I’d definitely like to be involved training kids. I’ve been involved with rugby my whole life and I can’t see myself just walking away. You’ve got to pass on something, in some capacity. Maybe in an analysis role or something like that but coaching at the top level is a thankless task, there’s no tougher job in rugby.”

But there is a tough enough task this weekend, however, for Payne and Munster with the arrival of the Ospreys in Thomond Park, and all the baggage that brings with it.

The stamp on Ronan O’Gara by Brett Sinkinson a couple of years ago, the dance by one of the Jones boys on Donncha O’Callaghan a few weeks ago, and of course, the disgraceful charge of racism against Marcus Horan in the first leg of this tie.

“There’s been a lot written; we know what it’s all about, and yes, there probably will be a bit of needle in it, but it’s what happens on the field that will decide the affair.

“I have huge respect for the Ospreys; they’ve made massive progress. Their younger players, the likes of Hansen and the Williams, have developed very well, really stepping up. It will be tough, no doubt, but I really believe we can win it.”

Whatever about mentioning the war, the pay-back, don’t mention the Munster back-play, or reputed lack of, to Payne. He’s not having any of it. “Obviously it’s not nice to hear all the criticism. What I will say however is that we haven’t really fired yet this year. We beat Leinster last week, Connacht the week before, Castres and so on, but those games were all forward-dominated. Okay, the forwards played really well, but I think when it comes to our turn, we’ll seize the moment as well. We’re only just gone past halfway through the season; the potential is there, absolutely, a lot more pace than we’re given credit for, but it’s just that when the tries aren’t being scored out wide, you’re going to be criticised.”

One more thing. Can he finally break into that line-up, win the Irish cap for which he qualifies through a proud Irish grandmother?

“I’m totally focused on Munster, so I don’t even think about things like that. Of course it would be nice, but I don’t have any expectations about that. If I play well, I play well, if it comes, it comes, but my focus is totally on winning a cup with Munster, winning THE cup.”