Munster boss compares Leinster occasion to facing the All Blacks ahead of ‘hell of a battle’
Munster head coach Graham Rowntree has compared their mouth-watering clash with Leinster at a sold-out Croke Park to the feeling he got when facing the haka.
Rowntree was speaking ahead of the blockbuster United Rugby Championship match and was full of excitement over the prospect of playing at such an iconic venue.
Leinster head into the fixture as favourites following their perfect 15-point return from the season thus far, with Munster having won two out of three URC matches.
Games you live for
Delivering his thoughts before the Dublin meeting that will see over 80,000 supporters in attendance, Munster head coach Rowntree did not play down the occasion.
“These are the games you live for as a player – in such a venue as well,” he said.
“It’s got a rich history. I’m looking forward to going there. The lads know the history of the place and the respect it demands and it’s one of those occasions where if you’re playing there you’ve made it.”
Rowntree recalled his playing days for England as he summed up what the feeling will be like for those in action at Croke Park, likening the occasion to facing the haka.
“I always found that with the haka. I always get asked, ‘What’s it like facing the haka?’ It’s brilliant, because it means you’ve made it, you’re playing against the best,” he explained.
“So, when you get to play at a stadium like this, you’ve got to take it in and not get overawed by it. You’ve still got to do your job. It’s a game to test ourselves. It’ll be a hell of a battle.”
Meanwhile, Leinster wing James Lowe has hailed the take-up in ticket sales for Saturday’s URC derby showdown, especially at such an early stage of the regular season.
“I don’t think there are many other clubs around the world that would be able to fill out a 80,000 stadium for a round-robin match, week four of BKT URC. I don’t think that will be done very often,” he said.
“It says a lot about the magnitude of the fans and I’m absolutely stoked that so many people want to come and watch the spectacle.
“It’s an amazing venue with so much history behind it. To be given the opportunity to play there against Munster is something we will never take for granted.”
As for the history between the teams, Lowe admitted there is a “mutual hate” between Leinster and Munster but in the “most respectful way” as he discussed the rivalry.
“There are some excellent players in that Munster side. There are boys you are very friendly with when it’s in Ireland camp, but on Saturday that goes out of the window. I am still going to want to run over them and try and get one on them and I am sure they are saying the same thing on the other side,” he said.
Images you remember
“There is obviously a lot of history between the clubs. The last time Leinster played Munster there I can vividly picture Johnny Sexton screaming at Ronan O’Gara in the corner. Those are the images you remember.
“It’s a rivalry we cherish. There is a lot of respect between both clubs, but at the end of the day you want to have a go at them.”