'Munster have the credentials, the coaching staff and the heart'
World Cup-winning Springbok midfielder Damian de Allende has set his sights on lifting the Guinness PRO14 trophy, claiming his new club Munster have the ability to cause a massive upset in Friday night’s semi-final against Leinster, the defending champions.
Leinster won the regular-season fixture a fortnight ago between the two clubs, taking the spoils narrowly 27-25, and are unbeaten this season after 21 PRO14 and European Champions Cup games.
However, de Allende insists that Munster, under South African coach Johann van Graan, have the ambition to win trophies, a potential that excites him. “For me personally no matter where I play I always strive to win tournaments and championships,” he said.
“I signed for Munster because I feel they have the credentials, the coaching staff and the heart. From what I’ve watched on television – obviously, I have only played two games here – I feel they have that team environment that they actually want to achieve, where you could go to another squad and you will have all the names and stars but they aren’t working for that success.
“I feel just playing in these two games there is a real want and desire to win the semi-finals and finals, and not just once or twice but consistently. And not just in PRO14, but in the Champions Cup as well. Friday night is going to be a very tough encounter. Hopefully, we will pitch up.
Spanish heritage ??
A fashion icon? ?Five things you may not know about @munsterrugby's @Doogz ? https://t.co/6hojqtJD7b #GuinnessPRO14 pic.twitter.com/iVGrXtPlj1
— PRO14 RUGBY (@PRO14Official) August 9, 2020
“We know it’s just a mental thing. We haven’t played a lot of rugby over the past six months, so there will be a few sore bodies. If we get the right mindset and we pitch up knowing we have one opportunity, and not worry about anything else, just stay in that moment for 80 minutes, then hopefully we can walk off with big smiles on our faces on Friday night.”
Midfielder de Allende feels right at home in the tribal clash between the two Irish sides, the new Munster player explaining it reminds him of the north-south derbies between the Stormers and Bulls in South Africa.
“It is quite personal. For me, it is quite similar to when I played for the Stormers against the Bulls. It’s like a north-south derby – it’s personal and physical. It gets quite intense on the field, even though you have a massive amount of respect for each other.
“Those Irish guys are competing for spots to play for Ireland, but there is still that mutual respect for each other on and off the pitch. I probably need to play a few more, but I certainly do understand the way they see it and it’s very encouraging to help them beat Leinster as well.”
Leinster will start as odds-on favourites but Munster hope to be third time lucky as it’s the third consecutive season they have faced their arch-rivals at this stage of the PRO14 season. De Allende is champing at the bit to get out there. His likely match-up against Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose – the incumbent Irish centres – will be keenly watched, especially after the Leinster pair got the better of Munster in the last clash.
“They are both world-class centres, both have been very good at international level. Leinster were very good and they put in some good kicks behind us as well. We know that we can’t put too many at the breakdown. Sometimes we are committing too many guys, especially on our defensive line.
“If we commit too many guys and we are short on defence, they will exploit us very easily. They did so in that first game. We need to be aware of that. They are also very physical and very fast and we will have to be switched on.”
De Allende added that while the first game took its toll physically after so long off due to the lockdown, the team needed their win over Connacht last Sunday to give them confidence for Friday night.
“That first game against Leinster was pretty tough on the body. I’d been out for long and hadn’t played and to come up against Leinster, a world-class team, the number one or two team in the world at the moment at club level is quite a challenge.
“It’s a good test for us as a team going forward. We had quite a few new guys who came in as well and we held up well. Last week was a lot better in terms of the result, but it was also very good for the semi-finals. Connacht was very physical. There was a lot of energy and it felt like we needed almost a tough game like that before a semi-final.”
Destructive from @Munsterrugby, coast-to-coast play with offloads aplenty and everyone pitching in ?
Andrew Conway earns the #GuinnessPRO14 Round 15 @Ronseal Perfect Finish ? pic.twitter.com/EACzcKY9Fe
— PRO14 RUGBY (@PRO14Official) August 31, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments