LEGEND ROG: ‘GIVE JOEY SOME TIME’
RONAN O’gara fears too much expectation is being placed on the young shoulders of Joey Carbery.
The young out-half makes his Champions Cup debut for Munster at Sandy Park today in what is a really difficult start to their campaign.
The performance of the 22-year-old (inset) – a high-profile summer signing from Leinster – could be key to the province adding another glory day to their European roll of honour.
O’gara (above) said: “He’s talented. Everyone in Munster appreciates what a classy player he is.
“But people are nearly expecting Joey to do something every time he gets the ball – and even Beauden Barrett doesn’t do that.
“People forget the guy isn’t 26, he’s 22. It’s a big difference maturity-wise, game experience, game management.
“His growth will be accelerated by playing in games like this. But it’ll be a bit of a step up from what he faced before.
“You get better if you get minutes in that position. It happens probably a little bit quicker at Champions Cup level and it’s important he gets support.”
Remarkably this is the first time in 21 years O’gara will have no club involvement as a player or coach in the competition.
Now plying his trade with Crusaders in New Zealand, he will be in the Virgin Media studio today – but covering the Bath v Toulouse game before Munster’s crunch clash in Exeter.
He smiled: “It’s great now to not have any involvement. I love the Heineken Cup, anyone around my age has great memories of the competition.”
The Corkman, of course, provided plenty of those memories himself – from the Miracle Matches at Thomond Park to when he talked the talk ahead of the 2006 campaign by claiming the Premiership clubs were over-hyped.
Days later he stepped up to beat Leicester with a last-gasp penalty from half-way at Welford Road. Munster ended that season as champions for the first time.
But the task facing the present day Reds looks more difficult. Exeter have six wins from six league games, with 29 points accrued from a possible 30.
Sandy Park is their fortress and Munster must play there without Conor Murray.
“It’s a tough ask,” said O’gara. “But it’s not a bad mindset for Munster, either.
“They have to try to get something out of it. But what’s crucial is that it doesn’t end Exeter five points, Munster zero points.
“It’s a big blow to lose Conor and Chris Farrell. But the pack will be strong, that’s where games are won and there were a lot of positives from the Leinster game in terms of the scrum and maul.
“Exeter are very good and it will be interesting to see if they can bring their domestic form into Europe.”
The Reds’ more incisive and adventurous attack was on show in the loss to Leinster and O’gara approves.
He said: “They’re playing more ball, which was needed.
“You’ve got to get Earlsy (Keith Earls) on the ball, he’s so dangerous. He just needs more actions in the game.”