Munster new saw Francis Saili’s four-month injury layoff coming.
It happens in rugby sometimes. A player goes in for a check on a niggle, a strain, and is left on blocks for a few months.
That’s what happened with Saili in preseason. Reporting in with a stiff shoulder, the New Zealand international was told he would need surgery. Right now, his aim is to get back for rounds three and four of the Champions Cup pool stages.
Munster must move on. They scraped into the top six last season, have recruited two players of note [Jean Kleyn and John Andress], need to attract fans back through the turnstiles and are in arguably the toughest Champions Cup group.
Munster need their fans to pay them back this season | @patmccarry https://t.co/e0IadbVIm0
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) July 16, 2016
Rassie Erasmus has identified Springbok centre Jaco Taute [Western Province] as a temporary replacement but the final contracts have yet to be signed. The IRFU would prefer if Munster promoted a centre from within, or moved the likes of Keith Earls to centre, and there has even been talks about loaning out a centre from another province.
At the Guinness PRO12 season launch, Erasmus told us:
“We have to give the young guys a proper chance. Some guys had an opportunity last Friday [against Zebre] and did really well.
“But we also have to be realistic. We did lose a lot of experience with Francis. Everybody is talking about Jaco Taute. He is one of the guys we are talking to the IRFU about. They are definitely supportive, to try and help us, because of that experience [he has].”
“With a short-term loan from another province,” Erasmus added, “he has family and stuff to look after. There are work permits and such to look after. A lot of things can happen. There is speculation out there but nothing is signed or sealed yet.”
In truth, Erasmus is confident in common sense prevailing and the 25-year-old to add another South African twang to the U.L campus.
As for Munster captain Peter O’Mahony, he will not be back until week three. Kleyn and Tyley Bleyendaal may both feature in this weekend’s friendly with Worcester.
On the latest GAA Hour we look back at Mayo-Tipperary and chat to Andy Moran about his incredible, never-ending career. Listen below or subscribe here on iTunes.
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