Larkham ‘fitting in very well’
RUGBY
Daire Walsh
MUNSTER head coach Johann van Graan has hailed the impact made by Stephen Larkham since his arrival.
Previously a member of Michael Cheika’s international set-up in his native Australia, the former fly-half was signed up as the Red Army’s senior coach ahead of the 2019-20 season. Felix Jones’ summer departure left a significant void in Munster’s backroom staff, but a 39-9 victory against the Dragons on the opening weekend of the PRO14 was the ideal settler for the Wallabies legend.
With Graham Rowntree permanently replacing Jerry Flannery upon the completion of the Rugby World Cup, it promises to be another campaign full of intrigue and excitement for Munster.
“He [Larkham] is fitting very well. He’s a quality person and that’s what I looked for first. We believe in people at Munster, we believe in community.
“It was important that we get a coach in who will fit in with Munster rugby and he certainly did. In terms of experience, he’s a World Cup winner. He’s played 100 test matches. He’s been one of the best fly-halves of all time,” van Graan explained.
“We want to take our game to the next level and he struck me as a guy with fascinating ideas, but importantly he also believes in the bedrocks of the game. He challenged the players straight away and they responded pretty well. Looking forward to working with him over the coming years.
“Graham [Rowntree] has been in with his family and found a house in Killaloe. Our communication is open. With tech he watches our training. Obviously he’s still with Georgia at the World Cup and waiting for him to join as soon as Georgia finishes their World Cup campaign. When he gets here it will be the first time the four coaches will have been together in one room.”
In a peculiar twist of fate, Jones’ Munster exit opened the door for him to reunite with van Graan’s predecessor – Rassie Erasmus – at the World Cup in Japan. The Dubliner is operating under the title of defence consultant in the South African set-up, having impressed the ex-Springboks international during his time in Limerick. Despite their shock defeat to Japan in Fukuroi on Saturday, there is still a possibility that Ireland could face the southern hemisphere side in a World Cup quarter-final later this month.
While Jones’ knowledge of the Irish system – both as a player and coach – could give them an edge over Joe Schmidt’s side, van Graan doesn’t necessarily see it as a game-changing move for South Africa.
“First and foremost, Jonesy was excellent in Munster Rugby and we wish him well. He got an opportunity to go to a World Cup and he has grabbed it with both hands. He is a man of integrity. I’m sure he will add a lot of value over there,” said van Graan, who was South Africa’s forwards coach at the 2015 World Cup.
“Rassie was part of Irish rugby two years before. In these days of technology and video analysis, getting information from other teams, I don’t think it makes such a big difference.
“Most teams in the world focus on themselves. South Africa might not even play against Ireland. Certainly Felix will add value across all parts of the game.”