Champagne Moments 15 Nov
15th November 2007 By Munster Rugby Supporters Club
With the very important week that is in it, we would like to thank team manager and try-saving tackler, Shaun Payne, for taking time to answer some of our questions. I know we were all disappointed by Saturday’s result – but the performance was encouraging – what was the mood like in the camp afterwards? Disappointment really. We felt it was a game we could have won. That’s not taking away from them (Wasps) at all, but we felt we had put ourselves in a good position to win and when you do that and then don’t close it out there is always a feeling of disappointment. What a great try you got on Saturday – ROG seemed back to his best – it must be great to play behind him on days like that? Ronan is a class act, we knew that before Saturday – and yes it is. What did you think of the referee’s display on Saturday – he seemed to be inconsistent at times? Look, you know before you ask that I’m not going to answer that question. It’s not my place to comment on referees or touch judges for that matter other than to say their job is not as easy as it might seem to people in the stands. It’s easy to sit back look at the big screen and judge, referees and players have a split second. Do you think the ERC should review the seeding arrangements to allow for a more balanced selection of groups? I certanly think they have to look at a situation where in two groups you have four previous winners ourselves, Wasps, Toulouse and Leicester are pitched in alongside strong sides like Llanelli, Leinster, Edinburgh and Clermont. Compare those two Pools then to some of the others and you do wonder. How important will that bonus point be in such a strong group? "We’ll only know that for sure after the next few games. It was great to come away with something but it could count for nothing in the end. Just too early to say. I presume you are all looking forward to returning to Thomond Park – what did you think of Clermont’s victory over Llanelli and can we take them next Sunday? The French looked very impressive, mind you Scarlets put together some great passges of rugby too and that made Clermont’s win all the more impressive. It’s going to be a huge task for us on Sunday but we’ve been in this situation before. I believe the crowd is going to be so important to us. Thye’ve lifted us in the past and we need them like never before. The previous Champagne Moments are available
With the very important week that is in it, we would like to thank team manager and try-saving tackler, Shaun Payne, for taking time to answer some of our questions. I know we were all disappointed by Saturday’s result – but the performance was encouraging – what was the mood like in the camp afterwards? Disappointment really. We felt it was a game we could have won. That’s not taking away from them (Wasps) at all, but we felt we had put ourselves in a good position to win and when you do that and then don’t close it out there is always a feeling of disappointment. What a great try you got on Saturday – ROG seemed back to his best – it must be great to play behind him on days like that? Ronan is a class act, we knew that before Saturday – and yes it is. What did you think of the referee’s display on Saturday – he seemed to be inconsistent at times? Look, you know before you ask that I’m not going to answer that question. It’s not my place to comment on referees or touch judges for that matter other than to say their job is not as easy as it might seem to people in the stands. It’s easy to sit back look at the big screen and judge, referees and players have a split second. Do you think the ERC should review the seeding arrangements to allow for a more balanced selection of groups? I certanly think they have to look at a situation where in two groups you have four previous winners ourselves, Wasps, Toulouse and Leicester are pitched in alongside strong sides like Llanelli, Leinster, Edinburgh and Clermont. Compare those two Pools then to some of the others and you do wonder. How important will that bonus point be in such a strong group? "We’ll only know that for sure after the next few games. It was great to come away with something but it could count for nothing in the end. Just too early to say. I presume you are all looking forward to returning to Thomond Park – what did you think of Clermont’s victory over Llanelli and can we take them next Sunday? The French looked very impressive, mind you Scarlets put together some great passges of rugby too and that made Clermont’s win all the more impressive. It’s going to be a huge task for us on Sunday but we’ve been in this situation before. I believe the crowd is going to be so important to us. Thye’ve lifted us in the past and we need them like never before. The previous Champagne Moments are available