O'Gara Commits To Munster

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

http://munsterrugby.ie/news/8294.php

A day that would have started disappointingly when he was omitted from the starting Ireland XV ended with the news that Ronan O'Gara had signed on the dotted, a contract that ses him commit to Munster for a further two seasons.

The 33 year old who, when he won his 100th cap off the bench against South Africa, then almost salvaged a draw, further underlined his great ability and current good form by scoring the try that settled the issue against Samoa a week later.

He has achieved every possible honour - with the exception of a World Cup medal - since making his debut for Munster in August 1997 and is set to soon become only the fourth Munster player to be capped 200 times following on from Anthony Foley, Alan Quinlan and most recently, Peter Stringer.

O'Gara stays with Munster until he's 36. He's probably playing his best rugby for 2 to 3 years at present. I suspect he'll be rotated in and out of the team with Paul Warwick allowing Munster to groom JJ Hanrahan or Gareth Quinn McDonagh slowly as his successor.

The knock on effect could be quite big. Lots of people expected Ian Keatley to move from Connacht to Munster. Now that O'Gara has signed on for an extra two seasons, such a move is unlikely. Ulster are in dire need of a competent 10 and they could now jump to the head of the queue in chasing Keatley's signature. I still wouldn't discount Keatley returning to Leinster though.

 

[munstermuffin]

Just on it Snoop, Ireland wanted him for the 2 years also. So expect him to be maybe hanging around. Also Warwick won't be used at 10 unless filling gap as he is seen as a 15 now but I do think despite ROG staying we need someone else to be in there soon like no point trying to change overnight it has to be done now gradually.

 

[Peat]

Rumour has it Ulster are eyeing up Steenson at the moment. Keatley would be a good alternative if that doesn't come off mind, still looks a bit too soon for Magic Jackson.

Makes sense if Munster are bringing through a lad from their own ranks. Not sure having DOC around until he's 35 is so sensible though.

 

[munstermuffin]

Munster are well able to blend the youth with experience and make the transition period smooth.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Munster are well able to blend the youth with experience and make the transition period smooth.

My initial reaction to this was one of shock but you're absolutely right. Had O'Callaghan and O'Gara not re-signed, Munster would face losing those two plus Alan Quinlan, John Hayes and perhaps David Wallce, Peter Stringer and Jerry Flannery over the next season and a half. That would be too much valuable experience lost in one go and, in my opinion, the loss of those players would take a couple of seasons to overcome.

By re-signing the Ireland flyhalf and second row, Munster have made the rebuilding process more gradual and thus easier to implement.

 

[munstermuffin]

As in people fail to realize that while ROG has resigned it doesn't mean he will hold 10 jersey always. I'd expect ROG to be on bench eventually and well like the situation with Sexton at Ireland, that whoever gets the 10 jersey will be given time but along line there will be a few blips but then O'Gara can come in to rectify them times. It like Ireland now when Sexton has blips ROG comes in and eventually Sexton will be there. As you say there will be alot of change coming over next few seasons but I think we have prepared our backrow excellently and after the Aus game it clear we have depht there.

Duncan Williams can fill void when Stringer goes. But my worry is at 10 because we have talented youngsters who can play 10 but I don't know if any are Heineken Cup level

 

[Peat]

Three years each though?

Correct me if wrong, but I'm assuming they're on central contracts so this isn't just about Munster. This is Ireland saying they want Ronan O'Gara and Donnacha O'Callaghan tied to them until their mid-thirties. Which if true, is insane. Its the John Hayes strategy all over again. Particularly with DOC.

O'Gara makes sense at a provincial level, it was that or start looking at a big NIQ signing. O'Callaghan though? Well, yeah, you'd rather keep him than not. But how long is he going to last? How long are Donnacha Ryan and Ian Nagle prepared to sit there watching DOC and POC start all the big games without argument? Thats a big old contract to give to a player who's beginning to reach the end of what should be his useful life (freaks aside) when really you'd have thought Munster wanted to start bringing through the new generation there.