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The promise Rowntree has made in first interview as Munster boss

(Photo by Lorraine O'Sullivan/PA Images via Getty Images)

Graham Rowntree has given his first interview since starting work as the new Munster head coach, welcoming the Irish province’s new signings and promising that his promotion from scrum coach to taking full charge at the club won’t change his personality. It was 15 weeks ago – on April 12 – when the ex-England and Lions prop was confirmed as the successor to the Bath-bound Johann van Graan. 

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The pair saw out the remainder of the 2021/22 season working together in a campaign that culminated in quarter-finals Heineken Champions Cup and URC losses, but Rowntree has now returned to work this week as the boss.

He held his first training session on Monday in Limerick with his raft of new assistant coaches with him on the field, a line-up that includes attack coach Mike Prendergast, defence coach Denis Leamy and forwards coach Andi Kyriacou. 

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In his first interview as head coach, a short video released by Munster that was shot in the conference room at their high-performance centre, Rowntree talked about the challenge of stepping up to his new role, his new staff and players, and why becoming a head coach won’t alter his character.     

“It’s a great club. I have been here three years now, it’s a special club, special people so when the possibility came up I was very interested,” he explained when asked why he wanted to become the head coach. “It was quite a lengthy process as it should be for quite a big role, for a big club. It’s a feeling of pride to be able to lead such a great group of people.  

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“I have learned from some great people, I have been very blessed from an early age in my coaching career to work with some good guys but what I have learned more than anything is to be yourself. That is certainly something I will be bringing to this role. You have got to be yourself always and that is what I plan to do with this role.

“They [the players] know me, they know my coaching style, I know them all enough where I can be very honest with them so I will have to have some tough conversations with them selection-wise but they are used to that. I have always been very honest in my feedback, I don’t want to be changing as a bloke and as a coach. I understand the role will be different but I will be myself with these guys.”

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Taking about the new Munster signings, Rowntree added: “Malakai (Fekitoa) speaks for himself and (Antoine) Frisch excites me, a sought-after young man in the Premiership. Both incredible players, dynamic. And Chris Moore is a young guy we found at Exeter University, Irish-qualified, a hooker, energetic, good set-piece, he’ll fit in well to our environment.” 

Regarding his new coaching staff, ex-England assistant Rowntree explained: “Good guys with the same coaching philosophy as I have. I did my research with players who have worked with these coaches before and other coaches who coached with them as well. We are quite aligned in our view of the game and how we want to structure the day and the environment. I’m delighted with them.”

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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