No split loyalties for determined McGahan
“I’m not that kind of person,” the Munster coach insists. “It will be nice to listen to but it won’t have any significance for me. I follow Australia all the time, but we’ll be absolutely desperate to get a result against them.”
McGahan has monitored Australia’s progress through the Tri Nations championship and is impressed with the depth of his countrymen’s resources.
“They’ve used a huge number of players – Rob Deans has blooded more than 20 in his short time there - and the young guys have been in and out of the Test squad, so they’ll be very strong in the philosophy of the Test team. I think that will spread into the midweek side.”
McGahan is especially impressed at how Deans and former Munster great Jim Williams have changed the dynamics of the Australian squad in recent times.
“That’s a very difficult thing to do and they’re certainly in a very nice position twelve months out from the World Cup. They have a lot of spirit, a lot of confidence and youth can do that.
“You’ve got to go through a few growing pains, and they’ve been certainly through a lot of those. They’ve had a lot of near misses, and they’ve been beaten ten times by the All Blacks in that period. Whether the end result is to be the best team in the world or to win the World Cup, they’re certainly on the right path.”
The Wallabies’ long run of defeats by New Zealand came to an end a fortnight ago with a late James O’Connor kick in a epic 26-24 clash in Hong Kong.
The 20-year-old with a South African mother and New Zealand father is a shining example of the way Southern Hemisphere countries, especially Australia, have been able to bring young players through at an age when they might still be in academies or development squads in Ireland.
“Not only are those young players participating in international rugby, they are actually having an impact on the result,” McGahan said.
“Australia and Ireland, however, are coming from two different environments. You put players in that arena only if they are fully equipped physically, skills-wise and mentally. You probably have players who play for a lot longer at the other end over here.
“There are many different ways you can approach this. There’s no point putting young blokes in there if they’re not going to survive; they need to have experience around them they can absorb. Irish players recently have been old and established and successful. While those guys are there, there’s a great opportunity to put players in though at times you need to take a gamble.”
The All Blacks very nearly lost the corresponding game two years ago at Thomond Park and the Munster coach believes that these games are huge learning exercises for both sides.
“I skimmed through the programme the other day and found that 11 of the All Blacks’ 22 are now members of their Test squad. It’s a wonderful stage and that’s why we’re so lucky to be able to take on Tri Nations sides.
“The All Blacks made it clear two years ago how important that match against Munster was to them. It allowed them to see how those players fitted in the build-up to the World Cup.”
Tuesday will be an especially significant occasion for Williams, who returns to the scene of many great moments with Munster. He has a serious job to do as his country’s assistant coach, but it will be understandable if he feels a little emotional in front of the huge reception that awaits him from the Thomond Park crowd.
“There aren’t too many players who go to a foreign country and leave such an indelible imprint on the environment,” McGahan, who worked for three seasons with Williams, adds. “As a player, as a captain, as a person and a coach, Jim touched every part of the Munster rugby community. There isn’t a person who has a bad word to say about him and I think that’s a tremendous reflection on him in every way.”
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