The ManniX factor

WHEN you’ve been there and done as much in rugby as Simon Mannix, you would wonder whether there was anything left to make the New Zealander raise even an eyebrow.

Yet the All Blacks fly-half who found the most famous jersey in the game too burdensome to place on his shoulders, the transplanted Kiwi who forged a successful playing career in England and then another as a coach in France, had not bargained on a new life of surprises in Ireland. He had not reckoned on Munster, nor the men who represent it on a rugby field.

Mannix has been the province’s backs coach less than three months, brought in as the wing man (excuse the pun) for new head coach and fellow New Zealander Rob Penney. Joining Anthony Foley, the forwards coach, and Penney, the Wellingtonian is part of a new broom sweeping through the Munster set-up and Mannix has found the receptive attitude of the squad in wanting to adopt the expansive, instinctive style of play they are striving to introduce something of a revelation.