NEXT up for Munster in the RaboDirect PRO12 is the visit of fellow knock-out contenders Cardiff Blues to Thomond Park Stadium on Friday (7.05).
The game might just offer Munster supporters a chance to see Cardiff centre and new Munster signing for next season Casey Laulala in action. The powerful Cardiff Blue did not feature for his club last weekend, but may be due to his announcement as a Munster player just days before their victory over Ulster.
Munster fans might also get to see this season’s new signing Save Tokula in action.
The New Zealander attended his first training session with the club this week at the Cork Institute of Technology.
The Waikato and Chiefs centre arrived into Cork last Sunday on a four month contract following the return of centre Will Chambers to Australia. Tokula is expected to cover injured players Tom Gleeson (shoulder) and Troy Smith (knee).
The 26 year old Fijian born Tokula was a member of the New Zealand Sevens squad in 2009 and 2010. He has played 36 times for Waikato since making his debut against Wellington in 2008 and last season played Super Rugby with the Chiefs.
The signing will raise a few eyebrows around Munster, seeing as centre is an area where one would feel Munster have significant cover in situ. Players such as Ivan Dineen, Ian Keatley, Danny Barnes, JJ Hanrahan, Johne Murphy and Lifemi Mafi, who have all played at centre for Munster, must see this new addition as a lack of confidence in their ability to fill a gap left by Keith Earls’ involvement with Ireland. The answer to that question might just well be answered in the coming weeks.
With Ireland’s game the following day against Italy, Munster will of course be without Ronan O’Gara and Donnacha Ryan who both played a central role in the win over Treviso on Saturday.That game also saw the return of Felix Jones to action, when he was introduced in the 60th minute for the aforementioned Johne Murphy. Back row Tommy O’Donnell also returned from injury in that game, coming on in the 68th minute for the impressive Dave O’Callaghan.
Munster currently lie in third spot in the Rabodirect Pro 12 table, four points ahead of this weekend’s opponents Cardiff. Blues.
With Munster a massive fourteen points off of rivals Leinster in first spot, a second or third placed finish is of a must. Finishing fourth would of course mean a trip to the RDS to face all conquering Leinster. A clash all neutrals would like to see, but few Munster fans would want at this juncture.
