What do we want? More shootouts!
Toulouse penalty drama was a sensation
THIS won’t be the prevailing view in Limerick and Cork right now, but rugby could do with more penalty shootouts. What a spectacle it was as Toulouse prevailed over Munster at the Aviva Stadium.
If the powers-that-be in the sport want to add drama, they should ban draws entirely. Imagine how good London Irish would have become at shootouts by now, given that five of their Premiership games this season have ended all square. It would create tension and edge-of-the-seat interest if there had to be a winner, even if it was settled by the kickers.
There’s no way it will come to that in league matches, but it is an absorbing means of settling knockout fixtures. Of course it is cruel. Of course it is an unsatisfactory way of settling a close contest between well-matched sides, but there has to be a conclusion. They can’t play all night — and the calendar is far too congested to allow for replays.
Munster and their wonderful Red Army will be stewing, but they had Toulouse at their mercy in Saturday’s Heineken European Champions Cup quarter-final in Dublin, only to let the title-holders off the hook. The Irish province led 24-14 with 13 minutes of regular time left, but they couldn’t close out the win. Then they weren’t able to deliver the decisive blow during extra time. As it had been three tries apiece, a shootout was required.
Poor Ben Healy missed both of his shots, but the Munster community will support the home-grown rookie fly-half. Conor Murray also missed a straight kick from the 10-metre line but he has performed heroic deeds over many years, so he should feel no guilt. In contrast, Antoine Dupont showed once again he is oblivious to pressure. The blank look on his face after drilling his second penalty suggested that the France captain is made of ice.
The format was good; three kickers taking shots from different angles — first from the 22 and then from the 10-metre line. At least those who stepped up are trained for it, unlike Martyn Williams, whose miss in 2009 saw Cardiff Blues lose their semi-final shootout against Leicester. It is harsh to expect non-specialists to have the burden of isolated responsibility.
Plenty of forwards might fancy their chances, but the intensity of the situation would surely expose technical shortcomings. Then again, Steffon Armitage — wearing No 8 — landed the decisive shot to help Biarritz return to the Top 14 in France at the expense of neighbours Bayonne, although in that case all the kicks were central, on the 22.
If it came to a shootout in the World Cup, there would be a repeat of Saturday’s format. Imagine the ratings for that.
Maybe Munster should have let their captain take penalties, after he had won them more than his fair share during the game.
Peter O’Mahony was imperious against Toulouse. The 32-year-old is in the form of his life. He may be a back-rower, but he is also a local hero and icon. The heart-and-soul figurehead for a proud team. In front of so many people who adore him, there’s no way his scriptwriter would have let him miss.