McGahan: ‘a must-win Cup final’
The intensity of their workout suggested these were men on a revenge mission for last Sunday’s loss — their first in Europe since last January.
McGahan named an extended 26-man squad for the visit of ASM which included Jerry Flannery and Denis Hurley, the former surely coming into contention for a starting place. Flannery missed last weekend’s game in France having picked up a knee injury in Ireland’s final autumn international against the Pumas, but McGahan said the hooker “trained well” and “hopes to be available” for Saturday.
Barry Murphy sat out the afternoon session (sore back) but the outside centre’s position may come under pressure when the starting side is announced at midday tomorrow. Paul Warwick, whose cut hand restricted his involvement in France, is likely to come into the equation, perhaps as a No 13, though McGahan has the option of moving Keith Earls from full-back into the centre.
All in all, Rua Tipoki’s absence was sorely felt the last day, and re-arranging the three quarter furniture could be on McGahan’s agenda this week.
Knowing a win is paramount and as previous Thomond epics have shown down through the years, they are at their most inspired when backed into a tight corner.
“History would suggest that when we have our backs to the wall we certainly come out fighting and put everything into it,” said McGahan. “We always do that, but this weekend represents for us a must-win Cup final. I know this might be a cliché, but we are absolutely looking no further than this weekend. We don’t care about anything else: our whole energy is on this weekend.”
McGahan also realises that the power of the 16th man cannot be underestimated. A raucous 26,000 sell-out Thomond Park crowd couped with the afternoon 3:30pm kick-off, should provide the ideal backing track for Munster. However, McGahan wants his team to provide the crowd with reason to roar.
“It’s a well-worn statement that the Thomond Park crowd is only worth a couple of points on the board if you’ve played accordingly and if you’ve played well enough to get them behind you and be in a position. If you’re not playing good rugby and if the crowd isn’t behind you for whatever reason, it’s worth nothing.”
Munster were pinged somewhat harshly by Wayne Barnes at the ruck area last Sunday — six times within goal kicking range for Brock James but the concession of ten penalties were all legitimate calls by Barnes, according to McGahan. Chris White is in charge this Saturday but McGahan intends to have his homework done on the former school teacher who incidentally officiated the 2006 Heineken Cup final between Munster and Biarritz.
“I think if you’re looking over any particular competition, whether it’s Magners, Guinness Premiership or Super 14, Top 14, all referees are different in their interpretation of the rules. What you have to do as a side is make sure you do your homework.
McGahan is also keen on improving their all-round game. “One is our kicking. I thought we didn’t kick well enough. We kicked at the right times, but we just weren’t accurate enough. We also need to show a lot more urgency in our retreat when Clermont are kicking, and I think our execution in our attack, ball selecting and off-loading needs to improve. They are the three main areas we are going forward in.”
The arrival of Clermont offers Munster – apart from the All Blacks — their most difficult test so far this season and McGahan smiled when asked whether Vern Cotter would send his “seconds” to Limerick for a second successive year. “If I was a betting man, I wouldn’t be thinking so,” he quipped, before adding that his fellow Australian, opposing outhalf Brock James, is key to the ASM game-plan running smoothly.
“His style of rugby suits Clermont and the way they want to play. He’s got a massive kick, he’s a good organiser, he’s got a beautiful pass, so he certainly complements their game very well. Him, along with the rest of their star-studded side, are all dangers.”
Munster Squad (v ASM Clemront Auvergne): M Horan, J Hayes, T Buckley, D Fogarty, F Sheahan, J Flannery, M O’Driscoll, P O’Connell, D O’Callaghan, D Ryan, A Quinlan, D Wallace, J Coughlan, N Ronan, T O’Leary, P Stringer, R O’Gara, P Warwick, L Mafi, K Earls, B Murphy, K Lewis, I Dowling, D Howlett, A Horgan, D Hurley.
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