Munster need more variation to spice it up

Last weekend Munster failed to balance the team’s needs with the hooker’s needs

THE ONLY tangible rugby argument I’ve experienced with team-mates (outside of personality clashes) was based on the lineout. Traditionally the “leader” of the pack called the lineout. It was not unusual that that player was in the front five. If it was the secondrow he might be accused of facilitating promotion to a higher grade by calling ball after ball on himself. The on-looking selectors, oblivious to this misdeed, would happily pencil him in, “fine performance”.

You’ll often find the senior secondrow influencing this advantage over the junior partner. Devin Toner, for one, arrived to Leinster in 2006 for his first Magners League start to lock down with World Cup winner Owen Finegan against Newport Gwent Dragons. Toner, at 6ft 10ins, would be expected to have been the target. And as a greenhorn it would have built his confidence. But alas the ball was continually sent to Finegan, no leaping salmon. I discovered afterwards Finegan was making the calls.

Similarly, if the hooker makes the calls he will primarily be concerned with the successful completion of the lineout. That is, that the ball hits its intended target from the throw, regardless of where in the lineout – job done. Although successful, this statistical analysis is of no use to the outside backs, especially if their primary requirement is to speed up the flow or attack the outside channel.

This is made all the worse if the hooker has failed to hit his target as he will err at hitting his bankable front-line jumper for the afternoon, completely nullifying his backs. In both cases the team’s needs have been ignored for the betterment of the lineout caller.

A somewhat happy medium is a backrow or scrumhalf making the calls. Scrumhalves may lack the subtle knowledge of lineout movement; technicalities, etc, and probably have enough problems of their own without adding further responsibilities to an already packed job description. Therefore the backrow is probably best positioned (physically) to understand both the hooker and jumpers’ needs and balance them with the team’s needs. He does this by constantly talking to his outhalf for tactical information and his hooker for technical information.

As a lineout caller I found myself at times in arguments, having to overrule someone for the betterment of the team. Last weekend Munster failed to balance the team’s needs with the hooker’s needs. A situation further hampered by the lack of Alan Quinlan or his like at the tail to offer another option. They lacked variation on the line but also on the length. When in doubt, shorten.

The touchline was a very lonely place for Damien Varley. Firstly, he picks himself up off the deck to prepare for a lineout. Then he computes the call (generally far too complicated) and as he’s pulling his arm back he can see big Bob Casey and Nick Kennedy ready to launch. Even when the ball was perfect, it was odds-on to land in a London Irish hand. That’s how good they are. Consequently Varley needed much support, firstly, in selection at the tail, and secondly, in selection of the lineout formation. He got neither.

It’s hard to know how the fixture would have turned out if the lineout provided Ronan O’Gara with the variation he required to exercise control. Time and again they worked deep into London Irish territory to come away with nought. This is very un-Munster-like to be so generous. London Irish coach Toby Booth’s comments aside, I feel it was an opportunity lost for Munster as Irish are ultimately no match for the European Cup wizards. That said, if Munster’s lineout was better, and it will be tomorrow, what advantage can O’Gara eke from it?

What Leinster have achieved even when playing below par at times is variation. Both hooker Richardt Strauss and especially Seán O’Brien have given them a real threat wider off the breakdown which combined with the countless threats in the back line makes for variation. Their lineout has plenty of options – with Nathan Hines it can maul, and with Toner it can provide off-the-top ball. Their scrum too is improving and with Jamie Heaslip at number eight forward ball is practically guaranteed.

Not for a moment should Munster ape Leinster but in searching for more variation they will threaten in more channels and ask more questions of Toulon tomorrow. Far too often last week they opted for fringe play or lumbering crash balls. Selection at 12, 13 and 15 are crucial. Although terrible timing, in a sense losing Sam Tuitupou may be a blessing in disguise as it will force Munster away from the English Premiership crash bang wallop and towards a more creative approach.

Whoever starts at fullback must offer more often, especially around the short side. Likewise Doug Howlett must be dragged into the game as the only remaining world-class player out wide.

The challenge for Munster is yet another starting 15 players. David Wallace may continue on the bench but off it he must come, but for who? Niall Ronan is fast becoming a link man with ball-carrying abilities which are far more subtle than Wallace’s, but crucial nonetheless. Either way, if Munster want variation they’ll need an openside and one who can combat George Smith. Likewise they need ball carriers especially to cater for the Toulon captain, Joe van Niekerk. But number eight Juan Fernandez Lobbe is my player of the weekend to watch.

With the Ireland squad for the autumn Tests being announced next Tuesday it will be another big weekend, especially for secondrows.

If you’re a tad uncooked rugby-wise this weekend then Ospreys versus London Irish tonight is a big one to watch, with Racing Metro 92 versus Clermont Auvergne a must see tomorrow.

Finally, as I watched the Munster lineout struggle in London last week I found myself wondering what was so special about the great man and lineout king Moss Keane. Clearly I never played with nor against him but I happened across him several times in Lansdowne FC. His greatest gift to me and many other club men was “time”. After all he had achieved this British and Irish Lion was as comfortable in thirds company as any international’s. His presence will be sorely missed in a club 290kms from Currow, Co Kerry.