'Abject... shocking at times' - Ire mixed with relief as Munster's Van Graan era ends
Any hope that Johann van Graan might have been holding to that he could end his thoroughly mediocre rein as Munster head coach on high were rudely ripped from his grasp on a balmy evening in Belfast.
Munster put in the most un-Munster-like of performances at Ravenhill, offering very little of the fight that has traditionally characterized the province. When Springbok centre Damian De Allende fumbled a ball halfway through a second half in which the men in red were chasing a scoreboard, the referee might as well have blown it up right there.
This was not Munster’s evening. It never was.
Against that, a razor-sharp Ulster were well worth their 36-17 victory, a result that has seen them through to the semi-finals. But one couldn’t help but feel this current Munster iteration is well off the pace.
The online reaction has been one of initial shock at the nature of the performance, a response tempered by a significant amount of relief that the Van Graan era had come to an end, even if on a bum note.
“Ulster very good, Munster not so much,” wrote Brian O’Driscoll on Twitter. “A lot of work is needed in Munster’s re build – in the coming season(s) but Ulster seem very much on the right path. A bit to go yet but vastly improved on the past few years. Some international selections this summer will be interesting!”
Ulster very good, Munster not so much.
A lot of work is needed in Munster’s re build – in the coming season(s) but Ulster seem very much on the right path. A bit to go yet but vastly improved on the past few years. Some international selections this summer will be interesting!
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) June 3, 2022
“Munster are being completely dominated by Ulster, you won’t see a more abject performance from the men in red, shocking at times,” wrote former England flyhalf and RugbyPass columnist Andy Goode.
Munster are being completely dominated by Ulster, you won’t see a more abject performance from the men in red, shocking at times
— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) June 3, 2022
Writing in his Irish Times report, Gerry Thornley bemoaned the inaccuracy of the Van Graan’s charges: “A lamentable Munster performance, riddled with handling inaccuracies and ill-discipline as well as a defence which again bunched up narrowly too often, ended their uneven and anticlimactic season and also the Johann van Graan/Stephen Larkham/JP Ferreira era.”
Popular Munster fan account, Overthehillprop summed it up well, writing: “If nothing else I’m glad this Munster era is over. They have regressed even further this year and JVGs tenure will be remembered for creating apathy within the fanbase. As for Munsters [sic] attack…. well best of luck to the Brumbies.”
1 If nothing else I'm glad this Munster era is over.
They have regressed even further this year and JVGs tenure will be remembered for creating apathy within the fanbase.
As for Munsters attack…. well best of luck to the Brumbies.— Overthehillprop (@Overthehillprop) June 3, 2022
“The season ends with a whimper,” wrote Munster blogger Three Red Kings. “Munster were sloppy, got key selection calls wrong pre-game and multiple lads backed after Leinster two weeks ago didn’t back it up. A massive reset needed.”
The season ends with a whimper.
Munster were sloppy, got key selection calls wrong pre-game and multiple lads backed after Leinster two weeks ago didn't back it up.
A massive reset needed. #ULSvMUN
— Three Red Kings (@threeredkings) June 3, 2022
One fan noted what many have observed, that the South African should have been shown the exit after committing his future to Bath.
“Embarrassing stuff from Munster – abject end probably sums up Van Graan tenure – overpaid & underdelivered – should’ve been shown the door minute he signed for Bath anyway… Fair play Ulster excellent performance.”
Embarrassing stuff from Munster – abject end probably sums up Van Graan tenure – overpaid & underdelivered – should’ve been shown the door minute he signed for Bath anyway.. Fair play Ulster excellent performance #ULSvMUN
— Pat Mc Daid (@pat_mc_daid) June 3, 2022
The one most optimistic note struck on social was the amount of talent that Munster have unearthed under the Van Graan era – in what could be – by accident or design – the legacy he leaves in the Limerick. The emergence of Gavin Coombes, Craig Casey, Alex Kendallen and the Wycherley brothers, among others; is evidence at least that the province can produce the talent.
The Graham Rowntree era can’t come quick enough.
Comments on RugbyPass
“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to comments