Munster will warm to the task in Portugal

TONY McGAHAN is taking his players away for a seven-day training camp to sunny Vilamoura in Portugal next Wednesday but yesterday the Australian had to equip himself with the worst elements of the Irish ‘summer’ at rain-lashed Clonakilty Rugby Club.

Despite the inclement conditions, The Vale, home to Clon rugby, brought out huge numbers to watch the Munster squad being put through their pre-season drills. After obliging with autographs and pictures, the players then took a break from all things oval for surf lessons at nearby Inchydoney Beach.

McGahan, speaking afterwards, expressed delight at landing long-term transfer target, Jean De Villiers, adding that he’ll keep an open mind on where to position one of the world’s best players. The signing of the Springbok star is regarded as a massive coup for Munster, and McGahan believes the former Stormers captain can bring that X-factor to his midfield — whether at inside or outside centre.

“We’ve certainly been tracking him for a long time and we’re certainly well aware of his ability to be able to play in the midfield, at inside and outside centre,” said McGahan. “He brings a new level of player that we’re looking for and we’re looking forward to play the game in different ways with him in the midfield. We’ll have good competition in that area and Jean will bring an on-field as well as a very strong off-field presence to Munster.”

The South African World Cup winner recovered from his latest setback — a stomach cramp — to take his place at No 12 against New Zealand in today’s Tri-Nations clash in Durban, but McGahan feels De Villiers has the potential to become a totem figure in the Reds backline in the mould of Rua Tipoki and Trevor Halstead.

“We were very lucky having Rua for the last two years and Trevor Halstead before him. Even stretching back to Jason Holland, they’ve all been very strong influences both on and off the field in that capacity. We have no doubt that Jean will be able to do that with his leadership skills both on the field and direction off the field for the younger players.”

He added: “We’re very lucky that we have players, especially in the backline, that can certainly contribute to a number of positions, whether it’s a mixture of both we’ll have to wait and see who’s playing well. Opportunities will be given, we’re certainly looking forward to the competition unfold.”

He also expects Munster’s other major signing, French prop, Julien Brugnaut, to fit in seamlessly at his new club. “We were extremely lucky that he was on the market. We feel he’ll be an excellent fit for us. Julien is able to play both sides of the scrum and that’ll certainly aid the competition in the front row.”

Before returning home to Brisbane for a short summer break, McGahan had the unenviable job of releasing or not extending a number of players from their contracts.

“Telling anyone they’re not wanted in the organisation for whatever reason is a very unwelcoming part of the job.

“You’d like to keep to everyone on but at the end of the day we need to continue to be successful. If that means limiting numbers through different reasons, well, unfortunately that needs to be done.”

Unlike his first season in charge, his second poses even greater challenges. His Lions return to training on Monday, but because of match-time restrictions placed on his internationals in a Lions year, the likes of Ronan O’Gara and Paul O’Connell will not see competitive action until rounds four or five of the Magners League.

Last season a full strength Munster hit the ground running, posting five straight league wins; without his Lions this time round, such a record will be hard to replicate, though he adds that young and fringe players have an opportunity to put their hands up.

“It will be an extremely difficult start to the season for us in first phase but one that’s a wonderful challenge. We’re well ahead of where we were this time last year in terms of the new management and the new coaching team as well.

“We went a good way last year to exposing a lot of players...we’ve got tremendous faith in our young players in the organisation so that provides us with an opportunity to put them forward and see where we’re going and also provide some competition.”

Some of Munster Lions provided huge talking points in South Africa but, by and large, he was pleased with their contribution to the tour. He is also confident Ronan O’Gara can rebound from the criticism he received after the second Test in Pretoria. “Each of them had their own challenges and obstacles to get through but I think overall South Africa is always a difficult place to tour.

“I’m sure some guys came away satisfied with their performance; other guys will have a burning desire to continue to go forward.

“For Ronan, it was a tough call with the penalty. Unfortunately most people focus on one incident. Ronan is world class, he’s a very, very tough individual and there wouldn’t be too many people who’d come back from he has.

“We’re really looking forward to Ronan getting back to us and leading us as only he can do. He’s very eager to prove a lot of people wrong and those who’ve written him off.”