Munster’s hard work, through the forwards paid off. Expect more of the same tonight at their spiritual home in Thomond Park. Picture: Inpho
LEGENDARY South African golfer Gary Player once stated“the harder I work, the luckier I get.”
Now aged 78, the nine-time major winner is a massive believer that things don’t just happen by chance. If you work hard and long enough you will reap the rewards, and as a sporting icon who has travelled more than 25 million kilometres around the world in his pursuit of titles, he is qualified to make such a statement.
For anyone who thought that Munster’s nail-biting win derived from luck last weekend, I can tell you that you are categorically wrong.
Even if you forget about time remaining on the clock (almost zero), the importance of the game (critical), and the pending glory that was seconds away for the Sale players having the ability, strength, shrewdness and most importantly discipline to grind out multiple phases in any game of rugby football is nothing short of miraculous.
When Ian Keatley sat back in the pocket and struck the winning drop goal, it was done so on the back of some long and laborious hours on the training paddock.
Knowing Anthony Foley reasonably well, he likes to leave no stone unturned and every possible scenario within reason is normally catered for during practice. That is why Munster won the game.
Any point gained in this competition away from home is worth its weight in gold. However, for any team that has aspirations of adding to their trophy cabinet, winning your home games is more important and they are viewed as critical.
Lose once at home and your chances of progressing beyond the pool stages are considerably diminished.
I think it would be fair to assume that Sale’s lack of European Cup rugby contributed somewhat to their second half implosion albeit, I believe that at half time there were some very choice words spoken in the Munster dressing room.
Getting a kick in the arse is perhaps just what Munster needed and will spur them on against a Saracens team that not only have plenty of pressurised rugby under their belts they also have a back bone of key players that will demand rather than hope as Sale did last Saturday.
Amassing a squad of world-class players is not always the key to becoming a successful team. However in Saracens’ case it seems to be working.
Last week as Munster struggled to subdue a very brave but limited Sale side, Saracens found themselves claiming a bonus point victory over French side Clermont.
Their victory was born from some ferocious defensive work in all areas of the field and some clinical finishing by their wingers who managed to score a brace each.
Munster may have the flamboyant and deadly Simon Zebo but tomorrow he will be matched by two speedsters, who on their day and with a half descent supply of ball could run riot.
Chris Ashton, who you either mildly or totally despise, will be on one wing and David Strettle will be on the other.
Ashton who is probably more famous for his stupid one handed try scoring technique then he is a rugby player is the lesser of the two threats. I would pay a great sum of money to see him drop the ball whilst in full flight and if it were to happen in Thomond Park it would only make it sweeter.
Strettle is a very different kettle of fish. He is powerful, quick and more importantly possesses a very clever rugby brain.
His work ethic off the ball is
nearly as impressive as when he has it in his hands and it is essential that Keatley keeps the ball away from him when kicking.
Former Irish international and Ulster centre Mark McCall who now heads up the English side’s coaching ticket is all too familiar with the kind of welcome he and his players will receive as soon as they enter Thomond park.
A true gentleman both on and off the pitch McCall will attempt to fore warn the players who have yet to feel the mythical power that the Limerick ground holds.
He will tell his players to stick to their game plan and forget about the occasion, play to their strengths and not allow Munster slow down the ball at the breakdown. He will ask his players to block out the hullabaloo created by the 16th man and concentrate on the task at hand.
I have no idea what calls Munster have or what divisions they will target in this game. However, the one thing I would be prepared to bet my home on is that the first opportunity Keatley gets, he will kick the ball so high it will have snow on it when it returns to ground.
All I will say is God help the poor misfortune who has to catch it because with it he will get the entire Munster pack.
One of the most important factors that seemed to have slipped under the radar in last week’s victory was that Munster did not pick up any new injures.
In a squad that is already down the services of Keith Earls, Donnacha Ryan and a clatter of hookers it was vital that Foley kept the same deck to play with for this game.
Again I stress the importance of winning this home game and my hope now is that the poor start to the season has laid the foundations for another history-making year.