G&GR spoke exclusively to former Australia A, ACT Brumbies and Munster forward’s coach Laurie Fisher over the weekend:
Welcome to Green and Gold Rugby, Laurie – Australia’s foremost rugby website.
Q. Munster has a proud history against touring sides. The last time the club played the Wallabies was in 1996. What does this game mean to a club like Munster?
A. Very few provincial sides these days get the opportunity to play against International teams. As you say Munster have a wonderful history against touring teams and it is important for this team to uphold and enhance the competitiveness and success of previous Munster teams. Any game in the Munster jersey at Thomond Park is an important milestone and occasion. The difference here is a positive result will be etched into Munster folklore for generations to come.
Q. What style of play do you think we will see out there on Tuesday?
A. Given the conditions are most likely to be cold and damp and with both teams valuing a result so highly I don’t think you should expect Barbarians style rugby. Both teams have the capacity to play tight when required or let the ball move if the opportunity is right. Munster have the capacity to play a grinding game but also have the skills, and fitness to be expansive when the game allows. Both sides are good defensive units so points will be hard earned.
Q. Given Munster has some form on the board and is currently leading the Magner’s League, what are your team’s strengths this year that have achieved these good results?
A. Like most teams Munster have some key foundations to their game based around good core skills, excellent fitness levels and a strong individual and team work ethic. These form the basis for week in week out performance. The team worked very hard in the pre season to ensure improvements in these elements was the driving force. Additionally, our set piece platform has received more attention and the improvements in this area has laid a foundation for winning games of rugby
Q. The Munster playing 22 has yet to be finalised but there’s a mixture of Senior, Munster ‘A’ and Academy players in the extended squad. Who should we be looking out for and why?
A. The final make up of the team won’t be finalized until the National Team has played Samoa and an assessment made of their requirements for the crucial test against the All Blacks. Suffice to say though a number of young and inexperienced players will get the opportunity to represent Munster and all its supporters at Thomond Park on Tuesday night. One guarantee is that whoever takes the field in the red jersey will play with a passion and intensity that will do them justice and make us all proud to be involved with Munster.
Q. What do you perceive to be the difference between Heineken Cup, Magner’s League and Super rugby? For instance, is there a difference in scrummaging and contact at the breakdown?
A. Without doubt there is a significant difference between the hemispheres both in the style of rugby and the nature of their competitions. The European Cup format affords you only one loss in the 6 pool games played over 3 month period. The sudden death nature of the tournament produces a particular intensity and style of rugby. The harsh European winter also impacts on the style of play where often field position and combat instincts and more valuable than some other skill sets. Scrummaging is certainly different in the northern hemisphere to our southern counterparts where the emphasis appears more on shape, timing, speed and power. Scrums can be a more tactical battle in the north with sides looking to scrum for longer and cut angles to gain an advantage. One of the great things about European rugby is the varying styles of plays through and within the different countries. As in the southern hemisphere, each team has their own distinct style and preference so each game presents new challenges and adaptations. Law changes also are having an affect on the nature of the game all sides are still experimenting with the way forward.
Q. What’s the plan for the future? Are you driven to return home to have another go at Super Rugby or perhaps coach at international level (for Australia or some other union)?
A. My future is very much in the hands of my employers. Like all people in life I have ambition. My ambition primarily is to be as good as I can be at my job and that may or may not create opportunity. Munster and Irish rugby is a fantastic environment and I am most fortunate to be part of it. I try to not look too far ahead. I’d rather focus on enjoying what I have and what I am doing than push for opportunities in other environments. I know my involvement in Munster has developed me as a coach and a person and hopefully I have added some value to the individuals and collective that make up Munster Rugby. The future, who knows.
Wallabies:
L Turner; R Davies, P McCabe, A Faingaa, L Morahan; B Barnes (c), L Burgess; R Brown, M Hodgson, S Higginbotham, R Simmons, D Mumm, S Ma’afu, S Faingaa, B Daley.
Reserves: T Polota-Nau, J Slipper, V Humphries, P McCutcheon, N Phipps, M Giteau, P Hynes
Munster: (confirmed)
Munster: Johne Murphy, Doug Howlett, Keith Earls, Sam Tuitupou, Denis Hurley, Paul Warwick, Duncan Williams, Wian Du Preez, Damien Varley, Peter Borlase, Billy Holland, Ian Nagle, Peter O’Mahony, Niall Ronan, James Coughlan (c)
Reserves: Mike Sherry, Stephen Archer, Alan Quinlan/Brian Hayes, Tommy O’Donnell, Conor Murray, Scott Deasy, Barry Murphy.
Wallabies v Munster: Tuesday, 16 November, 2010
Ground: Thomond Park, Limerick
Time: 8pm (local) – Wednesday, 17 November 7.00am (AEDT)
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (NZ)
