Munster must be belligerent and narky
On those rare occasions when they find themselves in opposition to each other, already the ingredients for a classic are in place.
It is not stretching things to say that whoever comes out on top in the battle of the number 10’s tomorrow at the Stade Felix-Mayol will probably be on the winning side. Both players have changed and developed enormously since they first got up close and personal on the Lions tour to Australia back in 2001. At this stage, O’Gara is probably the more rounded player yet one cannot dismiss the qualities that Wilkinson brings to the table.
Since decamping to the south of France two years ago, Wilkinson’s game has become a bit one dimensional and therefore a little easier to read. That said, every now and then he reminds everyone of his excellent range of passing off both hands when unleashing his midfield backs. With Felipe Contepomi starting in the centre and Rudi Wolf selected at full-back, it looks as if Philippe Saint Andre has opted for a more expansive game-plan which will encourage Wilkinson to spread more ball. It will also widen Toulon’s tactical kicking options with Contepomi on board.
Tomorrow, however, is all about winning and while so much will depend on the quality of ball delivered by the respective pack of forwards, Wilkinson and O’Gara will prove pivotal figures. When Donncha O’Callaghan talks about Munster relishing cup rugby, O’Gara is the fulcrum around which Munster make that work.
In this contest, possession and territory will be everything. If O’Gara is given a platform, his exquisite range of kicking and passing will be crucial in keeping Toulon pinned back in their own half. Without field position, Wilkinson cannot pursue his insatiable appetite for drop goals. While Toulon are renowned for their brawn, it is the innate footballing brain of two superb out halves that could prove the difference in the end.
IF O’Gara is to have any chance of directing the course of this game then Munster’s set piece has to improve immeasurably from what we have seen in recent weeks. The decision to start Paul O’Connell offers a major psychological boost but Toulon’s kicking strategy could also help Munster. In recent times with O’Connell on board, opposition tend not to kick to touch, thus denying Munster a key launching pad.
Toulon are unlikely to do that as their primary objective is to achieve territory. Last Sunday against Racing Metro, they presented the home side with 16 line-outs over the course of the game. Providing Munster can vary their lineout a little more than we have seen of late, then that will help the way they want to play and affords the perfect opportunity to re-launch their maul.
For obvious reasons, the crucial set piece tomorrow will be the scrum. The one positive from Munster’s perspective is they know exactly what’s coming. Given that concentration and mental attitude play such a key role in the scrum, Munster have no excuses for not being prepared on that front. The other plus is that Toulon have gambled by selecting Contepomi and Juan Fernandez Lobbe as their two foreign players, hence the omission of All Black powerhouse Carl Hayman. Nobody in the Munster camp will be complaining about that. Early on Munster must seek to lock out their own ball and move it away quickly from the base. The back row must concentrate firstly on supporting the front five in the hit and in keeping pressure on until the ball is away, regardless of whose put-in it is. This has to be a collective effort. If Munster can hold their ground in the scrum, they will be half way to winning this game. It is that crucial.
SO much of this game at the Stade Felix-Mayol will come down to attitude, mental toughness and a Munster’s determination not to concede an inch. Two seasons ago Toulon were fighting for promotion from Division Two of the French championship. Right now, for them winning the Heineken Cup is nothing but a pipe dream. That is why, right from the outset Munster must let them realise that they are playing against a far superior force.
Munster have more experience both in terms of Heineken Cup and international rugby and must drill that advantage home. Defensively they must be composed, organised and ruthless. Toulon have some quality performers in their ranks but they also have some ordinary players who would not get near the Munster side. They must be targeted and exposed.
While the presence of O’Connell is immense and a comfort to those around him, it is critical that his key lieutenants stand up and share the responsibility on leading the team. O’Connell’s lungs will be burning after 10 minutes and the burden must be shared. In this respect, Wian du Preez, Donncha O’Callaghan, David Wallace, Denis Leamy, Ronan O’Gara and Paul Warwick have crucial roles to play.
Over the years, Munster were known as a difficult team to play against because they were belligerent, narky and just refused to lie down. Once again, they must light that flame but with a strong focus on maintaining their discipline. The majority of Toulon’s points come courtesy of the boot of Wilkinson. Munster simply cannot afford to feed his habit of accumulating points. Let O’Gara be the one to fill that role tomorrow.
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