Autumn leaves litte for Kidney except hard calls
Although not officially tagged the 'back door' route, Irish teams -- and Munster in particular -- may yet thank their lucky stars at the timing of the new play-off system when the business end of the Magners League marathon comes around.
Like Shannon being consistently in the top four of the AIB League over the years, you know that, once Munster are in the frame, they're going to be extremely difficult to shake off.
It is still early days, yet a third of the Magners League and Heineken Cup pool games have been played. An assessment of Irish form in domestic and European competition would suggest that, at best, it has been hit and miss.
To be fair to Munster, they do top their Heineken Cup pool and have taken a precious point from Franklin's Gardens in their most impressive performance to date -- even though it was a losing one.
They have genuine problems in the front row with all three proven Test forwards -- Marcus Horan, Jerry Flannery and John Hayes -- out of commission for one reason or another. The loss of that front-line unit is hugely relevant and let no one pretend otherwise.
That said, four defeats from the eight competitive games played in the Heineken Cup and Magners League represents a dismal return -- but it is much more than that. For whatever reason, the ultra-competitive spark we take for granted with Munster is missing.
The defeat to Leinster at the RDS -- and the manner of it -- has affected them more than they realise. It has sapped confidence to the extent that even the collective intensity at the breakdown is absent.
Blip
It is a temporary blip, of that I have little doubt. But to suggest form and confidence will return as a matter of course would be delusional -- and an "it'll fix itself" policy is bordering on arrogance. Munster don't do arrogance -- never did, never will.
Aside from Denis Fogarty availing of precious game time in Flannery's enforced absence, I cannot think of another forward making a mark in the early season. Even Paul O'Connell is suffering in the general malaise. Ever willing and always available as a ball-carrying alternative, even O'Connell lacks that built-in conviction in contact at the gain line.
Nor does it end there. Tomas O'Leary was also ineffective at Murrayfield, but he is still working his way back to full fitness. However, the chemistry at 10, 12 and 13 is not good.
Aside from Lifeimi Mafi's individual dancing spurts, the fusion of Ronan O'Gara, Mafi and Jean de Villiers is not yet there. We have seen little of O'Gara's trademark passing, whether disguised or long on the drift, putting either of the Munster centres into midfield holes as only he can.
A glitch in goal-kicking doesn't worry me but his game management, most particularly percentage kicking out of hand, does. Right now it is below par and in terms of the autumn international series the heat is on from Jonathan Sexton but also from Ian Humphreys, given his generally consistent game-running form for Ulster of late.
There is a potential headache developing for Declan Kidney with O'Gara one of his set-in-stone selections, but when form drops and confidence ebbs, then it's time to ask questions, with selection based on form being key to a healthy working relationship between players and the Ireland coach. Munster's tie with Ulster on Saturday could scarcely be better timed.
O'Gara is not alone in searching for a commanding performance. There has been little from Denis Leamy to suggest a Test recall is imminent, with only David Wallace in the back row producing the occasional hint of form and potential.
Indeed if form is to be the major criterion for selection, which for me it should be, then the case for Sexton, Cian Healy and to a lesser extent Sean O'Brien (still in search of his most effective position) is compelling.
Were Kidney to name a team to face the Wallabies with Healy at loose-head and Sexton at out-half, it would be justified on the evidence of this season to date. However, the temptation will be there to reward those who achieved so much in Cardiff back in March with first-up selection this time round.
It is a big call for Kidney who knows better than any that, as of now, his big players are not firing close to what they are capable of.
There is one notable exception and that is Brian O'Driscoll, who will surely be named as skipper again for the upcoming series. My views on that issue (in O'Driscoll's best interest) are pretty well established by now but, as long as he continues to carry the leadership responsibility lightly and lead by his consistently outstanding play, then that role -- in consultation with Kidney -- remains O'Driscoll's to give away.
Yet again in abysmal conditions at Ravenhill at a stage in the contest (13-7 to Ulster with the elements at their back) when a rout seemed likely, O'Driscoll sparked almost every counter to keep Leinster interested and in touch. His form and infectious enthusiasm is the biggest single plus for Kidney and Ireland ahead of the upcoming games against southern hemisphere opposition.
For all O'Driscoll's and O'Brien's efforts at Ravenhill, victory went where it was deserved with Humphreys again steering Brian McLaughlin's revitalised squad home with conviction.
The mere two-point difference at the end of the match is testament to O'Driscoll and to Leinster's resilience in a no-holds-barred contest, in which stand-in skipper and No 8 Chris Henry made the biggest mark.
For Michael Cheika, the decision to run with Shaun Berne at out-half (in the search for a credible alternative to Sexton should that need arise) backfired badly. Berne's inability to control the game or pick off penalty points in a wind-assisted first half cost Leinster dear. Though a more realistic alternative to Isa Nacewa when covering for Sexton, Berne is not a natural-born 10.
And if Cheika is genuine in his search for realistic back-up, then I suggest he could do worse than visit Stradbrook. For the second time in the AIL Division 1A in recent weeks, I watched a multi-talented Blackrock backline including Kyle Tonetti, Brendan Macken, Andrew Conway and Niall Morris strut their stuff. But if one individual epitomises the quality of the premier division pace-setters, it is scrum-half David Moore.
If there is a more complete number nine currently operating in Irish rugby at any level then I haven't seen him. Quite how he has failed to figure yet for Leinster is beyond me.
- Tony Ward
Irish Independent
