David Corkery: Off-field issues aren't helping, but lack of belief and young talent hinder Munster
Connacht's Finlay Bealham is tackled by Tom Ahern and Michael Ala’alatoa of Munster. Picture: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo
As I sat down to write this after Connacht made Munster look like a team that had no interest whatsoever in even competing, I was asking myself 'does anyone really care anymore?'
I don’t want to take anything from a Connacht side that impressed in front of their supporters, but they're no world-beaters. Judging from the way the Munster players were bullied from pillar to post, I’m beginning to wonder if the players believe anymore.
During the week in the build-up to this very important game, Munster head coach Clayton McMillan made a statement that might just have a hidden message in it. Contracted until the end of the 2028 season, he stated 'I’m fully committed to the team until the end of this season'. To me, that means as soon as this season is done, he'll be packing my bags and heading for home.
The situation that arose when Munster announced that Roger Randle was going to be appointed to replace Mike Prendergast as attack coach on a two-year contract, which caused controversy and uproar as he was accused of rape back in 1997, has cast a shadow in recent weeks.
He has always denied the allegation against him but the coverage of the appointment of Randle, who worked with McMillan before, led to the deal being cancelled. "Following recent discussions and having considered the circumstances that have developed after the announcement, Roger and Munster Rugby have mutually agreed not to proceed with the appointment."
It has featured in national headlines in recent weeks and has been another distraction in a disappointing season.
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To beat any Connacht side with their never-say-die attitude, you must first win the arm wrestle. On Saturday evening, it seemed the only arm wrestle Munster were interested in was the one to see who would get on the bus first so they could sit in the back seats for the journey home.
On a very favourable evening and pristine surface for running rugby, it took Munster the bones of 70 minutes to register on the scoreboard when the game was over as a contest.
Having scored three first-half tries through Ben Murphy and Shayne Hurley-Langton, the men from the west secured their bonus-point fourth try within two minutes after Craig Casey darted over for his side's only try.
The 20th-minute red card shown towards Munster’s hooker Diarmuid Barron in the first half didn’t exactly help Munster's cause.
However, for those who would like to use this as a contributing factor as to why the visitors lost the game, may I suggest you consider these two stats?
Clean breaks: Connacht 11, Munster 2. Defenders beaten: Connacht 31, Munster 11.
I don’t claim to be any kind of tactical genius when it comes to dissecting a game of rugby. What I can confirm is that when I see indicators like this, I can assure you Munster’s hunger to win the all-important gain line was left somewhere behind in their training grounds in Limerick.
Like flies getting swatted away from above the dinner plate, Munster were brushed aside by Connacht’s rampaging ball carriers.
This isn’t because they lack the strength to take them down, it’s because their hunger, attitude and belief have been completely eroded by decisions about how the province is run.
Yes, the absence of some key players would have given Connacht much confidence to take the game directly to Munster, but this is where I would expect the youth of the southern province to stand front and centre and grasp this opportunity to claim ownership of the jersey.
They may not have the same physical capabilities as a professional, but I can guarantee you that they’d not go down without a fight and that losing would hurt.
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