McMillan wants Munster momentum to continue against Argentina
Clayton McMillan admits to not knowing much about the Argentina A players but he is anticipating facing a "very good side". Pic: ©INPHO/James Crombie
With a reputation against international touring teams to uphold and a foundation to put in place for the rest of the season, there is plenty riding on Munster’s meeting with Argentina A at Thomond Park on Saturday (5pm).
Just as last season’s corresponding fixture against an All Blacks XV helped steady a ship left rocking by the previous week’s departure of Graham Rowntree, the visit of Argentina to Limerick gives an under-strength Munster the opportunity to maintain the momentum created by five wins in a row at the start of their URC campaign at the start of a month-long hiatus in the league schedule.
Head coach Clayton McMillan, who brought the Kiwis to Limerick 12 months ago, needs his side to hit the ground running when the season resumes on November 29 at home to the Stormers. That is a game which kick-starts a 10-match run encompassing a four-game Champions Cup pool campaign, two Christmas derbies and finishes with a trip to Glasgow on January 30, and for that he will need all the experience he can get hold of.
Handing senior debuts to starting lock Conor Ryan and academy forwards Max Clein and Luke Murphy as replacement hooker and back-rower respectively, as well as first starts for tighthead prop Ronan Foxe and centre Fionn Gibbons adds another layer to the depth chart at McMillan’s disposal, as does a first lineout caller outing for Evan O’Connell. The Munster boss wants them to sign off on this first block of the season by setting the tone for what lies ahead.
“Each game that we have, whether it's a really good performance or one where we've scratched across the line, it's your last performance that you're always remembered for,” McMillan said. “We're going into a wee break away from the environment and what they do when they're away is going to look a little bit different for everyone.
“For those that are ahead, with high minutes, it's an opportunity for them to completely get away from the game. For those that are at the other end of the spectrum, they'll need to go away and be fairly active. They just won't need to necessarily be here in the building.
“But what we'll remember and what will make that break, whatever boat you're in, more enjoyable is finishing Saturday's game on a positive note and then coming in fully charged and excited about the next block because it's going to be tough.
“We're playing some massive fixtures 10 weeks in a row without a break. We've got to be smart. We're looking forward to that but the next couple of weeks and the game on Saturday will help set that up.”
McMillan admitted to knowing “not a lot” about Argentina A but he knows what to expect.
“With all Argentinian teams, we'll know that they'll put a high emphasis on set-piece. They'll be physical. They’ve got that Latin flair and if the Pumas are anything to go by, I think they'll play a great brand of rugby, really well balanced and coached.
“We don't know much about the players but we're anticipating a very good side.”
M Haley; D Kilgallen, F Gibbons, S O’Brien, S McCarthy; T Butler, P Patterson; J Wycherley, L Barron, R Foxe; C Ryan, E O’Connell; J O’Donoghue – captain, R Quinn, G Coombes.
M Clein, M Donnelly, K Ryan, F Wycherley, L Murphy, J O’Riordan, JJ Hanrahan, B O’Connor.
T Wade; S Pernas, L Gea Salim, F Sánchez Valarolo, M Soler; J Hernandez, A Sugasti; M Medrano, L Oviedo, F Moreno; L Simes, F Albrisi; N D'Amorim, A Bildosola, JC Perez Rachel – captain.
J M Vivas, D Correa, O Filippa, L Colidio, J P Bernasconi, E Pregot, B Farise, A Fraga.
Angus Gardner (Australia)
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