McMillan not 'taking anything for granted' against 'motivated' Munster

All Blacks XV head coach Clayton McMillan. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Clayton McMillan knew his All Blacks XV squad had a game on their hands against Munster this Saturday before the bombshell dropped that opposite number Graham Rowntree had parted company with the Irish province. Yet the New Zealander also promised his players had plenty of motivation of their own to perform in the famous black shirt at Thomond Park.

Speaking in Limerick on Monday, just hours after the bulk of the squad arrived in Ireland and 24 hours before the news broke that Munster would be handing responsibility for team affairs this week to interim head coach Ian Costello, McMillan outlined what was driving his players while also explaining why their hosts could not be underestimated despite poor recent form, three defeats in a row and the absence of key frontline players through injury or Ireland call-ups.