IF last weekend’s game against the Ospreys is anything to go by, then this Saturday’s encounter at the Liberty stadium is not one to be missed. Kicking off at 15.30, Munster will look to put back to back wins together. An achievement which would put them in pole position to top the Pool. Last Sunday afternoon, Munster won the battle, but this week’s tie will be much more difficult as the Red Army pursue the winning of the war.
As I write this piece, Munster look to preparing for the week four game without Paul O’Connell. The talismatic leader was sent off for a for striking the Ospreys player Jonathan Thomas (No 8) in contravention of Law 10.4 (a). That law being that, “Striking – A player must not strike an opponent”. The incident has divided a rugby mad province. Some fans are claiming he was right, others think that the force was excessive based on a jersey pull.
That aside, Munster will have scores to settle elsewhere on the pitch and with themselves. The winning bonus point was there for the taking. As was denying Ospreys the losing point.
Captain on the day, Denis Leamy may rue a decision to kick for touch late in the game, when Munster’s 10, Ronan O’Gara, wanted to widen the gap to 10 points. In Leamy’s defence however, O’Gara was not in his best form on Sunday with the boot from placed balls.
The intensity of last week’s game was there for all to see, however it appears that the Ospreys lacked the know-how when it came to closing out the game. Leading 13-8, the Ospreys virtually imploded as they conceded two tries and had a prop sin binned.
This could be a positive to build on for Munster, seeing as this weekend, with the Ospreys at home, the tie will be more of an open game, allowing Munster to strike on the counter more than they could last weekend.
The mood in both camps after last weekend’s game was one of disappointment and frustration. Munster were frustrated at the referee and their lack of a fourth try, while the Ospreys were ruing their lack of a killer instinct and the lack of refereeing of the scrum.
When teams are angry and bitter like that, then we normally get a good game. That is, if referee Roman Poite can referee the game efficiently. The Frenchman has struggled in the past with Munster. Most notably against Northampton last season in the final pool game.
With Munster having it all to play for and a little bit of bitterness back, a tie which would have normally been a tough encounter might just be more easy to manage. The Ospreys look a spent force. Munster should capitalise in the principality.
