WITH competition for the Munster 10 jersey at an all time high, Ian Keatley spoke to us this week about competition for places and the need for a Munster win this weekend.
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Keatley on the Scarlets game:
It was like someone flicked a switch at half-time. The heavens opened. I know it was a cold night but we put in what we’d describe as a pretty poor performance. We’ve watched the video and we actually did a lot of good work. We got into some very good positions but set pieces let us down at times. In those conditions you’re not going to get many chances and we actually ended up creating a few. We just let them off the hook too easily and in fairness to Scarlets they scrambled one chance and made the most of it and that was the difference in the end. When the rain is coming down it’s not as easy to build up a few phases and get up there. You have to really go through the phases. We had to go through 20-30 phases to get back up there to their 22. We ended up winning a five-yard scrum, but we got penalised at that scrum and then you get set back 40-50 metres. It becomes demoralising but we did create chances. We just didn’t take them and that was the difference.
Keatley on the battle for the starting spots:
I think it’s a good problem for Rob to have so many different players in so many different positions. They can all stand up and there’s even players who haven’t got a chance yet who are chomping at the bit to step up. I’m just delighted to be playing anywhere and I want to play every week. Most lads want to play every week and whether I play 12, 15 or 10 I’ll play to the best of my ability. We were disappointed with not getting a win last weekend, because on form we were going well.
Keatley on missing out for Ireland duty:
I was disappointed because if you ask anybody if they want to play for their country. Declan has been onto me, telling me to keep working hard. It gets frustrating when you think you’re playing well but I’ll keep the head down. I think if you’re winning with your club team you’re gonna start getting more recognition. You see the Ulster lads doing very well in the league. They’re playing some good rugby and they’re getting recognition for it.
Keatley on Munster’s Pro12 position:
The next few Rabo games are important. They certainly are. We’ve set a target of being in the top four and hopefully getting a home draw for the semi-final but we’ve got to show the strength that we need because there are so many good teams out there and it’s very competitive. It’s a big one this weekend because we lost last weekend. Scarlets are ahead of us and so are Glasgow and when you’re playing the teams around you, they’re must-win games. Coming into this weekend we’ll be looking for the win.
Keatley on this weekend versus Glasgow:
Obviously it’s crucial to win any week. We never go out to lose. We set ourselves a target of winning the next four games. Scarlets was one of those games and unfortunately we missed out there but it’s another home game in Thomond and we expect to win our home games. Leading into the Heineken Cup that would take care of itself.
