Erasmus expects to hand over Munster reins after Dragons clash

RASSIE ERASMUS expects Friday’s clash with the Dragons to be his final game in charge of Munster.

New coach Johann van Graan is expected to arrive in Limerick next week and should be in charge when Munster resume their Guinness PRO14 campaign against Zebre in Parma after the break for the November internationals.

Erasmus, however, remains on standby in case Van Graan’s work permit doesn’t come through in time.

“We are definitely not going home on Saturday but, barring problems with the work permit, with the three-week break, I think Friday will probably be my last match,” he said.

Erasmus (right) has been in constant contact with Van Graan, who recently spent a week in Limerick, and the outgoing coach is confident that his fellow South African will settle in quickly.

“We have been exchanging emails and telephone calls. I know him pretty well and it won’t be a case that I will be totally off the radar when I leave,” said Erasmus, whose reign will be the shortest of any Munster head coach in the professional era

“Johann is coming next week – probably with the Springboks for the Ireland game. We will try and have a chat then, depending on his needs and how quickly he gets the grasp of everything.”

Erasmus is not sure if Van Graan will be working with the Springboks when they arrive in Ireland.

“I don’t want to talk on their behalf and I am not sure if even Munster know at this stage. I don’t think that has been clarified.”

As he reflected on his time in Ireland, Erasmus said the death of Anthony Foley a year ago was a shattering experience, while reaching the semi-finals of the Champions Cup was the best moment.

“Axel’s death was the saddest, without a doubt the saddest. That week, or for two or three weeks, I felt the most sorry for myself, selfishly.

“But then again, it was one of the times when I learned the most about myself, other people and about other cultures.

“It was sad but it was a lifechanging experience for me in a lot of things I am doing as a coach. I certainly adjusted a lot of my thinking.”

As for his happiest memories, he added: “Probably getting to semi-final against Saracens was the biggest high. Munster belong in the play-off places – and not just quarter-finals. It should be about getting to semi-finals and hopefully winning trophies.

“Although we lost that game, it was great experience to get to see so many people in red. And playing in Ireland. I would have loved to win the game but it was a great experience for the team to get from where we were to there.”

Munster have not lost two games in a row since Erasmus took charge at the beginning of last season and, having gone down 20-16 away to Connacht last Friday, will need to see off Bernard Jackman’s Dragons to preserve that record.

Erasmus, with typical honesty, admitted yesterday that he should have changed the team for the game in Connacht, having sent full-strength teams out for four games in a row.

“It was maybe the wrong decision. Our last eight games, five of them were on the road.

“You play a team like Leinster away, Castres away, with the same team. Then a six-day turnaround to Racing with the same team. After that, there is a six-day turnaround for Connacht, who lie waiting for you. They rested five or six of their boys. We ran out of legs a little bit and, then, there was the red card.

“We are going through great patches and then bad patches, but we are still second in our conference.”