When would you like to start, Declan?
The win proved the perfect tee-up ahead of Sunday’s Heineken Cup semi-final with Kidney safe in the knowledge that he has adequate cover in every position, most importantly at out-half where Paul Warwick produced his most complete performance since his summer move to Munster.
Fielding largely a reserve side, Munster produced one of those heart-warming victories built on guts, honesty and raw energy that propelled them to a wholly unexpected victory over an Ospreys outfit assembled at enormous expense.
The internal review into their inconsistency continues at Ospreys, but Kidney’s reputation as a coach grows by the week. With one eye on Saracens, Kidney was left with no choice but to tinker with his first XV but there was a hunger and energy in the attitude of his reserves, a never-say-die attitude that saw Warwick’s injury time penalty eclipse the Ospreys in a heart-stopping finale. It was a thrilling contest in front of raucous Musgrave Park crowd with an edge of seat denouement where Munster literally put all bodies on the line for the red shirt.
The Ireland job is surely Kidney’s if he wants it. He is clearly the man with the midas touch. With just a few days to mould a side that never had played together as a unit for the visit of Ospreys, the Corkman oversaw a victory without many of his perceived front-liners.
“Without being rude we try to leave the word front-liners to the media,” Kidney said afterwards. “You can only pick any 15 in any one week. I’ve said this a few times: it’s a difficult team to pick and maybe this win shows why it is so difficult to pick.
“For example Barry Murphy was able to turn up with a performance like that, not having had a game of that level close to 12 months. We had a great attitude. We may have made a few errors, but you can’t beat a good player’s attitude. They played for one another, and we scrambled in defence a few times. I thought the application of those guys coming in fresh has really put it up to some of the other lads.”
Few gave Kidney’s back-row a chance against a world class unit in Jonathan Thomas, Marty Holah and the hard-hitting Filo Tiatia. But Donnacha Ryan switched seamlessly from lock to blindside and John O’Sullivan, who was making his first start since a cruciate injury in August, along with Denis Leamy edged an intense 80 minutes at the breakdown.
Many expected Justin Marshall and James Hook to overshadow Tomas O’Leary and Warwick. But the opposite happened. Warwick gave his best performance in a red shirt mixing up his game brilliantly — whether it was pinning the Ospreys back with a variety of kicks or engineering some fine three quarters moves.
O’Leary’s reputation continues to soar and he kept the 81-times capped All Black, Marshall, guessing all evening. O’Leary’s sniping breaks, clever box kicks and improving pass cemented his place as the province’s number one scrum half. He must start against Saracens while Warwick proved he can be an able deputy to Ronan O’Gara at No 10.
THERE WERE glimpses of the past and future too. Shaun Payne gave another masterclass at fullback and maybe Kidney has something up his sleeve here for the Sarries match. Payne was superb in every facet of good full-back play whether it was a memorable second half tackle on Tiatia, which was arguably the moment of the match, or his running lines or safety in defence.
Looking lean and hungry, Murphy recreated the shimmies, moves and breaks reminiscent of the time two years ago when he broke onto the Munster team. He made one searing run through midfield before the break.
A glimpse of the future was evident in the display of Keith Earls. Senior players on the squad speak very highly of the former St Munchin’s pupil. With his first touch the 21-year-old showed no inhibitions as he galloped from his own 22 through a sea of black shirt to come within yards of a touchdown at the other end.
If Kidney does become the next Ireland coach, his ability to react in match situations is also a strong point. In the 62nd minute he released Anthony Foley, David Wallace, Jerry Flannery and Peter Stringer into the fray. Their impact was immediate and it didn’t upset the rhythm of the team either. Flannery made a huge game-turning hit on Johnny Vaughton while Marcus Horan’s pressure on Gareth Owen at the breakdown led directly to Warwick’s match-winning kick.
Warwick landed three from four but his opposite number, James Hook, had a horror night in front of goal. He missed five from six opportunities including a 74th minute conversion that could have handed Ospreys their first away win of this league campaign. The Wales No 10 was off target three times as the sides changed ends level at 3-3.
Warwick pushed Munster in front from a close-in penalty in the 63rd minute. Hook was off target again in the 72nd minute but the Welsh region didn’t have to wait long to retake the lead after a neat play on the blindside.
Marshall and Tiatia combined to put Sonny Parker racing down the touchline, and the Wales centre showed blinding pace and strength to burst through the tackle of Warwick and dot down in the corner.
There was still time for Munster. Horan made a huge tackle on Gareth Owen, Ospreys infringed and Warwick tacked on the three points. Shane Williams had a drop goal chance to win it in the tenth minute of injury time but it veered wide.
S Payne (J Manning 69); B Carney (K Earls 62), B Murphy, K Lewis, A Horgan; P Warwick, T O’Leary (P Stringer 62); F Pucciariello (Buckley 73), F Sheahan (J Flannery 62), T Buckley (Horan h-t); M O’Driscoll (capt), D O’Callaghan (D Wallace 62); D Ryan, J O’Sullivan, D Leamy (A Foley 62).
L Byrne; J Vaughton (A Brew 67), S Parker, A Bishop, S Williams; J Hook (G Owen 80 +1), J Marshall; D Jones, H Bennett (E Skirvington 80+5), C Griffiths (A Millward 64); I Gough (L Bateman 80 +5), I Evans; J Thomas, M Holah (B Lewis 80 + 5), F Tiatia (capt).
J Jones (WRU).
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