MUNSTER rugby appears to be in an unusual position at the moment. Years ago, losing bonus point losses would be heralded as satisfactory and the provinces fans would look to the remaining five games in the pool as a challenge. A challenge to be met head on by fans and squad alike. This season however, it appears that the squad and the fans are drifting apart.
It appears that some fans are losing the faith. For example, the game this weekend is not a full sell out. The last two home games in the Magners League have not been packed to the rafters. The scramble for tickets seems to be less intense as before. There are even some fans out there who are questioning the signing of Jean De Villiers.
As mentioned in this column last week. One loss does not make Munster a bad team, nor does one win make them World beaters. The glaring fact of the matter is that Munster players and fans are not what they used to be. Age and IRFU restrictions are hindering the players, recession and years of relative success are hindering the fans. This weekend, the players have a chance to set the season alight with the hockeying of Treviso in week two of the Heineken Cup. The fans can be made happy again with the sight of Munster players crossing the white wash and for one week in three, not concede 30 points.
The on the field situation that Munster find themselves in is certainly an unenviable one. In the words of Shaun Payne this week, “Munster are two to three weeks under cooked”. The players need game time, yet this is the last Heineken Cup weekend before the Autumn Internationals. The momentum, if any, gathered from this weekend will be lost once more for the December fixtures against Perpignan. This weekend is a massive game. Ironically, Munster needed the traditional Italian side fixture this week. (Italian teams normally are bonus point guarantees) This week though, Munster face a Treviso side flying after last weekend’s shock win over Perpignan. Payne explains where the Bennetton side will be most dangerous. “They are excellent at the breakdown and they are very good up front. I know their manager from back in South Africa and they will certainly not be coming over here to make up the numbers. There is none and there will not be any talk of bonus point wins in this camp. All Munster are concentrating on this week is winning”.
The game itself on Saturday, kick off 1.35pm, will be intriguing. Munster need to improve in all facets of the game particularly in defence and at the breakdown. Personnel changes from the last outing may not be major, but the intensity and work ethic is in need of improvement. If Munster try and force the game, there will be a shock on the cards. Interestingly, the other tie in the Pool might be of more significance. If Saints beat Perpignan, then effectively the French side would be out of the reckoning come the double fixture against Munster. That however, is thinking ahead of the game. There is so much rugby to be played before then and hopefully the majority of it will be played by Munster this Saturday in Thomond Park.
In some off the field news, last Tuesday night, the IRFU held a disciplinary appeal hearing for John Hayes. The result of the hearing, heard by Billy Glynn, Chairman of the IRFU Appeals Committee, Leo Galvin and George Spotswood, considered the grounds for appeal by Munster Rugby and allowed one further weeks mitigation based upon the record of the player. The reduction on the initial period of suspension means that Hayes is now suspended from the date of the offence for five weeks up to and including Saturday, November 7.
