SO WELL RED LEARNED
Rassie: We found out a lot about what it takes to win at this level in our loss to Saracens.. now it’s just a matter of applying it again
MUNSTER have learned the hard way that coping with pressure wins big games. With so much possession against Saracens in the Champions Cup semi-final a month ago, victory was within the Reds’ grasp. Instead, Sarries sucked up the pressure and struck the fatal blows. But the Reds showed the lesson was learned in the Thomond Park win over the Ospreys last Saturday, coming out on top in the key moments in their Pro12 semi-final. And it’s that same approach they must at Aviva Stadium tomorrow when they face the Scarlets in the final. “We learned from the Saracens semi-final how to treat the Ospreys game,” said Munster boss Rassie Erasmus. “It’s all about pressure. “It’s probably a bit of a cliché, but big moments turn play-off rugby. “Sometimes you get a lot of belief – or lose a lot. I thought it was a big moment when we couldn’t score in the 22 last week, but then the Ospreys kicked the ball and we actually scored from that one to relieve the pressure on ourselves. “Against Saracens, we had 10 minutes just before halftime when we were on their try-line and could have scored to turn the pressure around. “I don’t think it’s a technical and tactical thing we learned. It’s more a mind thing. We applied it on Saturday and we’ll definitely need it this Saturday. “Scarlets are hitting form and they had big moments with 14 men (in their semi-final win over Leinster).” According to Erasmus the two sides play a similar game, so Munster’s mindset will decide whether they rise or fall. “Scarlets, I think, have the second most runs in the competition and a lot of kicking,” he said. “They changed it from the first few games they played. “They’re tactically a wellcoached team and you can see they’re on a run of unbelievable results. “After they beat us here (in February), they went and got a good smack off Leinster. Then they go and beat Leinster with 14 men. “They’ve changed their tactics. But we’ll stick to our guns. “We only know one way to play, which has worked for us. “If we want to change, we’ll have to wait for pre-season.” Erasmus (inset) feels a win in Dublin would be a perfect reward for the consistency demanded by the Pro12. “You lose players to internationals, injuries, it’s a long season of 22 matches and you play different styles – you play a Welsh team and then an Italian team,” he said. “So when you get to a final the trick is to understand totally how the opposition’s playing. “Comparing what we faced against Ospreys to this week is totally different. “Scarlets are a complete team.”