Munster have moved within sight of top spot in the Guinness PRO12 and could secure an extra, long-term boost by securing a ‘real deal’ next season
Ulster’s visit down to take on Munster at Thomond Park is the perfect way to get back into the swing of things in the PRO12. Both sides have rested their international front-liners but there is still more than even talent on show.
The match will be a bit like Munster’s clash with Leinster before the Champions League began. The league had been somewhat of a non-event up to that date but that game kicked off the season. Munster were superb that day and have done well during the international window by winning two away games. Ulster had a good win over Ospreys last time out and have done well at Thomond Park in recent years. They are not technically out of the Championship Cup yet but I’d say they will be turning their focus on the PRO12.
Munster have Pat Howard in the middle with Denis Hurley but he is only over from South Africa on a short-term deal. There have been reports linking Robbie Henshaw to Leinster. He is the real deal and someone any team would massively benefit from having him. I’m sure Munster would be doing everything they can to get him if he was to come on the market. Munster would chop off their arm to get a player like Henshaw.
Henshaw was a massive success during the November internationals. There was a bit of flux in the Irish midfield but he did superbly. He seems to have nailed a berth in the centre. The question is now more of who will play alongside him in midfield.
The series was brilliant from an Irish point of view. Ireland got off to a great start and the Johnny Sexton kick for Simon Zebo’s try was out of the top drawer. The intercept was a bonus and fair play to Tommy Bowe for reading the play and backing himself. Ireland were certainly on top for the first 20 minutes but Australia came back hard after that and did not let up for the rest of the match.
The Wallabies’ level of finishing off half-chances was fantastic. They were always looking for the offload and Ireland did not help themselves by falling off a few tackles. Ireland, however, will have learned more about themselves from that win than they would have from seeing off South Africa.
Australia play similar to France so it is all about flooding the channels. If you can’t get the ball-carrier, you get to the support runner or at least get your hand on those passes and off-loads. It is what they did to us on that partial intercept from Zebo’s offload. Offloading is not part of Ireland’s game-plan but perfecting how to defend against that will be crucial in a World Cup year.
The big positive about Ireland’s win was how everyone worked for each other in defence. We were not overly committing bodies to rucks that were dead. We were getting off the line and getting bodies back into defensive positions. This tactic was more prevalent against South Africa but Ireland were incredibly effective, that way, of slowing down Australian ball.
In return, Australia were quite cute and targeted our breakdown. They pitched in Michael Hooper, who is so hard to shift over the ball, and Ben McCalman. They totally disrupted Ireland here and did not let them get away with a lot of clean ball. The breakdown has been a real plus for Ireland under Joe Schmidt, as the Six Nations stats show (522 rucks won, 20 lost). Teams know that it is an Irish strength and will attempt to lessen that impact.
Massive kudos must go to the 20 players that featured as they showed tremendous levels of work-rate. Paul O’Connell stood up and made a couple of big tackles, one of them being that game-changer on McCalman that ensured Ireland were defending on the front-foot. That took the wind out of Australia’s sails and gives a gee-up to the other lads. We saw Ian Madigan and Bowe teaming up (below) for a crucial poach at the end while Peter O’Mahony secured a couple of turnovers and Jamie Heaslip’s defensive effort was superb.
I would certainly expect Ireland’s playing style to evolve during the Six Nations. That is Schmidt’s style. In the past, Ireland may have faced accusations of being a forward-dominated, predictable team but that is not the case now. Ireland have shown their ability to play to the circumstances around them – they have intelligent, adaptable players. They are hard to read and that makes them even harder to beat. The players and staff will be buoyed by their victories.
The fact is, they beat the teams that were second and third in the world coming into this series and yet still have areas to improve in. The discipline of this team is remarkable as they did not concede any kick-able penalties in the closing stages despite facing a torrent of Australian pressure.
The series added greater depth to the squad too. We had both of our starting wingers from the Six Nations injured yet were able to bring in Bowe and Zebo. What a luxury that is. We have Rob Kearney in great form and a world-class 9/10 combination. The pack, led by O’Connell, have been so impressive too.
I am hopeful that the Irish lads can take that confidence and form back into the league and Champions Cup.
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