There’s more to Murray’s game
THROUGH the blur of years, Conor Murray’s temperament has remained remarkably steady. His tranquil nature and high boiling point help explain why he is on the cusp of 100 caps, and why his career has spanned that shock 2011 breakthrough, to the latest reinvention of Irish rugby under Andy Farrell.
Even the most serene nature can ruffle, though, and Murray is not content to walk back through this sporting life. He’s not done with being a part of Ireland’s promising future, and his determination to remain involved obliges him to address what he sees as misconceptions about his game. Ask if he ever doubted whether he had the range of skills demanded by the commitment of Farrell and Mike Catt to a fastpaced, ball-in-hand style and he fixes you with an unblinking look.
‘Never,’ he says instantly.
Murray has long been trusted by media handlers at his province and country, because he is likeable, engaging but also safe, and competent enough to handle questions coming his way.
On the issue of his ability to run an expansive game, though, he is pointedly frank. ‘That’s probably been a frustration of mine over the last couple of years, not feeling sorry for yourself but that you’d be pigeonholed into that type of player because more often than not, that’s what was asked of you, in a way.’ Under Schmidt, Murray’s role was vital, with his box-kicking proficiency relied on, while at Munster that virtue was exhausted by Johann van Graan’s conservative game-plan.
‘I always back myself,’ says Murray. ‘And thinking back to when I started playing with Munster, that first year, I was really showing my skill-base and what I can do on the ball, and backing myself and doing those creative things and playing with a bit of freedom. ‘Not for a second did I ever doubt that I could play that way. I probably got into a little bit of a … I wouldn’t say rut, but just pigeonholed. I think that’s what did happen. And that’s my motivation – to show people that there is an awful lot more to my game than there has been. And there’s plenty of evidence of that.’ Murray is 33 now; he will turn 34 next April. The will to stay relevant and compete with Jamison Gibson-Park for the starting shirt, with Craig Casey coursing him at Munster and in the national camp, too, perhaps helps explain how he has reached 99 Test appearances in the first place – with a further eight for the Lions. He looks certain to reach his century against South Africa on Saturday, and depending on the fitness of Gibson-Park, he could start that match, his debut for his country coming in another age. Murray played for Ireland for the first time in a World Cup warm-up game against France in Bordeaux, in August 2011.
He had started his first senior match for Munster only the previous March, and his hurtle towards the top of the game continued when Declan Kidney picked him for his World Cup squad, at the expense of Grand Slammer Tomás O’Leary.
Murray went to New Zealand as third-choice. By the time of the quarter-final against Wales that concluded Irish interest, Murray was starting, and that would remain mostly unchanged for the decade that followed.
He became a central part of Schmidt’s approach and starred in defeats of New Zealand and in championship and Grand Slamwinning seasons.
By the start of the 2021 Six Nations, though, his role was less secure, with the emergence of Gibson-Park. A change at No9 was viewed as necessary to Farrell sharpening Ireland’s attack, which had grown blunt and ineffective through 2019.
‘With the type of game we’re playing Andy and Mike are very open and honest and that’s something that players really appreciate.
Sometimes previously – and you hear from other players as well – coaches can give them willy-nilly excuses.
‘Like, it’s very easy for a coach to say, “Look, a few of your passes were down, and I want you to work on that”, whereas they’ll give you the feedback that you definitely agree with because you’re probably seeing the same things as well.
‘That’s something players really appreciate, so then you can go away and you can set up a list of goals, or a training routine, that will help improve that.’
That World Cup squad he blazed into 11 years ago included star names like O’Driscoll, O’Connell, and O’Gara, along with Leo Cullen, Geordan Murphy and Jerry Flannery.
In a hard, cruel game, to endure as Murray has done from those days to now is a fair feat.
Getting his one hundredth cap against the world champions next Saturday feels like a fitting stage.
‘For a while I’ve been mapping out how many games we have and if I play a certain amount I’d reach it. So if it comes true – hopefully it does – it will be a very proud day for me, and my family more importantly, what with the commitment they have shown throughout my career so far, to be at pretty much all the games, home or away.’
And doing it with this generation would sweeten it, he says, joining the chorus who credit Farrell with creating the happiest squad they’ve ever been in.
‘It’s incredible, the last year for me is probably the first full year I’ve not spent not starting; oddly enough, it’s been the most enjoyable year or two, being involved with a group like this, the coaching set-up, the players. I couldn’t think of a better group to reach that milestone with, to be honest.’
Andy and Mike are very open and honest, they will give you the feedback