We’re doing JUSTGRAAN but this is a long season and we will approach it one week at a time!
REDS COACH STAYS GROUNDED
JOHANN van GRAAN is keeping his in-form Munster side down to earth in the build-up to another crack at Leinster by reminding them: “We’ve won nothing yet”.
Comeback kings against Clermont in Europe and on top of Conference B in the Pro14, van Graan is pleased with the work his Reds have done this season.
But Thomond Park on Saturday represents the latest acid test as both sides are expected to be at near full strength in this rearranged clash.
“We’ve played some pretty good rugby and we’re pretty happy with where we’re at,” said van Graan.
“Unfortunately when a season is so long, you have to take it week by week.
“It doesn’t help to pat yourself on the back about what you’ve done because we haven’t achieved anything.
“It’s a good start, we’re number one currently in our group but that counts for nothing on Saturday evening. There are four or five points up for grabs. It’s obviously a big game in Irish rugby and one that I’ve enjoyed since coming to Ireland.” Van Graan and Munster have been trailing in Leinster’s wake for most of that period.
But the South African couldn’t resist a little bite back at Leinster, even if he maintains he has no issue with Leo Cullen’s (inset) criticism of his Reds.
After Leinster won their PRO14 semi-final meeting 13-3 in September, Cullen quipped: “The match itself I thought was pretty brutal. You’ve got to be very accurate against a team when all they want to do is box kick and apply that pressure game.”
Replying yesterday, van Graan said: “I think you take every game and you do what’s necessary to win.
“I’m glad that in the Ulster game two weeks ago, at least they used some of our tactics in that game as well, so that’s brilliant to see.”
Van Graan later denied that he was frustrated by Cullen’s comments.
“No, not at all,” he insisted. “At the end of the day, all of us as coaches are in the same boat and we’re looking for our teams to win and you’re looking for some sort of edge.
“Obviously, they’ve a very aligned coaching team who believe in a very specific way of playing the game.
“But I believe all teams do 90% the same thing in different positions – and all teams will do what’s needed to win.
“Fair play to them, they won that semi-final and became the champions after that.”
Van Graan says what gives him confidence that Munster can turn the tables is that they are at home, have built up momentum and are further down the line in terms of development.
As for the contract situation regarding some of his top players, including Peter O’mahony, Keith Earls and CJ Stander, van Graan commented: “It’s ongoing, we’re busy talking to players but in fairness everybody knows that’s it a very difficult time in the world and rugby is no different.
“Once we’ve something to confirm we will.
“It’s a good thing that people are part of a club they’re proud to be part of, hopefully we can retain the majority of our players.”