Reihana thrives on Thomond Park factor
"One hundred thousand people say they were at that day - and 90,000 of them are liars." So said Gerry McLoughlin, a member of the .
People continue to gild the Thomond Park legend to this day.
"The crowd is no mere 16th man," said Northampton captain Dylan Hartley ahead of in Limerick, "it's like a 17th, 18th and 19th man." Maybe it's best if Saints leave the team-talk to someone less melodramatic, say assistant coach Dorian West. "They've got a very noisy crowd," deadpanned the ex-police officer.
Munster have been beaten once on their own turf in 15 years of European competition, their marauding dogs of war seemingly umbilically linked to the fans they represent. "Desperate to play for that team and desperate to win for that team," says West, "players who stick together through thick and thin."
Yet Jim Mallinder's blossoming Saints side, , knows Thomond Park can be stormed.
In January, they , failing to take advantage when Munster skipper Paul O'Connell was sin-binned. And in a Magners League match last week, fierce rivals .
So the Thomond thunder can be stolen and, according to , it can be bottled, fizzed up and exploded in the faces of the men in red. But then Bruce is "one of the old guys" and has seen it all before.
Reihana celebrates Northampton's LV= Cup triumph
"I don't feel intimidated now. Being an old fella, I've had quite a few of these occasions," said the former All Black, who joined Northampton in 2002.
"I use it to spur me on. I find it really exciting when the crowd goes nuts. That's what we've talked about this week, using that atmosphere to inspire and enthuse.
"We'll benefit from the last game [at Thomond Park]. I think the noise, the atmosphere and occasion got to some of the players, but this time we know what's coming - the ferocity of it, everyone on their feet, faces screaming at you, the emotion, so much passion. It seems like more than just support, it's like they're on the pitch as well."
Reihana and Co are on a roll. With 19 wins from their last 21 games, with a thrilling win over Gloucester last month and are with a game in hand.
Hardly surprising then that utility back Reihana, who experienced the dark days of relegation before Mallinder's arrival in 2007 got Saints marching again, senses something special is brewing at Franklin's Gardens.
"There certainly is," says the 33-year-old, who . "It's the best squad I've been involved with and the most tight-knit. Jim Mallinder's got the balance right, the mix between old and young. Sometimes you have egos, but not here. Everyone's pushing for the team. It's very unique."
Two of the youngsters are and , both now England internationals. But it's in the boiler room where most of the damage is likely to be done, with a creaking Munster front row pitted against , and .
"We need to have an all-round game... [but] the scrum is always an area we look to dominate the opposition in," said West. "We want to be on top in the scrum because that translates to the rest of your game."
With the encounter likely to be a blood and guts affair - "you play against other teams and feel bumped and bruised, but after the last game against Munster I felt battered" - Reihana believes scoring chances will be at a premium and therefore discipline will be key.
"You've got to take every opportunity you get, and you might only get one or two," said Reihana, a two-time Northampton player of the season.
"Both pool games we played against them were very, very hard-fought and very, very physical. It could easily come down to a penalty here and a yellow card there. We've got to be very disciplined, especially inside our own half because can kick them from anywhere.
"It's a massive, massive task, but the belief in the squad is that we can do it. We've made huge strides this year to put ourselves in with a chance of winning three tournaments. If we don't grab hold of them, we'll feel like we've let ourselves down."
Rumble Munster at Thomond Park on Saturday and Reihana and his mates will make liars of thousands, for in years to come half of Northampton will say they were there.
Hello. I have been working for the 91Èȱ¬ for more than a decade now and cover almost all sports. It would be good to hear from you - just don't be nasty or my mum might get upset.
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Comment number 1.
At 9th Apr 2010, Hookers_armpit wrote:Nice blog Ben.
Will hopefully be a corker! However, when was the last time Munster lost twice in a row at home! They are due a performance and it could be the Saints that get it.
Big issue for me is whether Mallinder chooses adventure with Geraghty or a dogfight / territory game with Myler. Both good young tens and I'm not sure what the right option is. Geraghty is unpredictable but if he has one of his good days then we could win. After the game at Franklins Gardens I think he is a player Munster don't like to see lining up against them. However, he had a bit of a wobbler last time in Thomond....
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Comment number 2.
At 9th Apr 2010, TheSecretFly wrote:Of course I could be wrong - but I think Munster are concealing a few punishing, aggressive games under their belt for just about now. No they haven't tried to "lose" games but neither have they shown anything near the fury they can muster when the chips are down. They have players who now need more time and management to keep them fit and ready for battle. They know they have to conserve energy now in order to dish out the goods at opportune times. Heineken Cup is Munster's holy grail. If they don't fire up for this game then they truly are drifting down hill as a team
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Comment number 3.
At 9th Apr 2010, BlueMuff wrote:There is going to be one hell of an atmosphere tomorrow. Its Munsterfans favourite kick off time 5.30pm on Saturday evening. The pride and passion of Munster Rugby is going to be there in spades tomorrow. It may not be enough to beat a superb Saints team but we wont go down without a fight! Come on Munster
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Comment number 4.
At 9th Apr 2010, Thomondstreasure wrote:The Heineken Cup is what the Munster players live for.They are due a big performance and that could happen tomorrow.One issue I would be concerned with is that against Leinster we never looked like scoring a try.The Munster team will fight all the way,but I think they could be fighting a losing battle.
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Comment number 5.
At 9th Apr 2010, Yappysnap wrote:Northampton need to be playing at that 'other level' they have alluded to a few times this season if they want to stand a chance tomorrow night.
This has got to be the biggest match of their season so far, and i can't see the matches afterwards being any tougher if they win this, it is a defining moment for them, how they play and how the players react for those 80 minutes will define their progress so far. Can they cut it with the best on the toughest stage?
Munster are big game players, don't lose twice at home, have a massive performance in them and are old hands at this sort of thing.
Northampton are just the kind of team to upset the boat though.
I don't support either team and i have goosebumps thinking about it!!!
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Comment number 6.
At 9th Apr 2010, TarbhDubh wrote:Going to be fascinating the see how both teams play the game, open or tight like the last game. Cant call the outcome but fear that Saints will turn us over.
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Comment number 7.
At 9th Apr 2010, ja1993 wrote:however good northampton is, they will never beat Munster tomorrow. This is because munster, tactically, are probably the best in Europe, thus i could put my life savings on the fact munster will win, even though i am an ENGLISHMAN!!!!
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Comment number 8.
At 9th Apr 2010, DasBeast wrote:I think we may turn Munster over tomorrow, although it's not a comment I would put money on. I think we have shown an ability this season to win tights games, even when we have not hit form, see Wasps and Leeds.
This is one for Lobbe, Kruger, Dowson and Best to win for us. Possession and hard yards.
However, to win tomorrow we will have to play exceptionally well as Munster are capable of winning every game at Thomand without their best on show.
If both sides are on form I fancy Northampton, just given our recent record in close games, but I can't wait. Come on Saints.
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Comment number 9.
At 9th Apr 2010, DasBeast wrote:Just seen that Kruger is on the bench. I would have liked him to start ahead of Lawes in this game, especially coming up against POC and DOC. He offers more brute and more big game awareness (to counteract POC laying on the ball for 80 minutes). Still, one for Lawes to prove himself against the best 2nd Row in Europe.
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Comment number 10.
At 9th Apr 2010, Munster10 wrote:"Munster have been beaten once on their own turf in 15 years of European competition,"
Thats not true. Munster were beaten twice in cork when they played some H Cup games at musgrave park in the early few years. We have only lost once in Thomond in the H cup.
Very nervous about this game, Northampton are a top top team with quality all over the field. It will go down to the wire. May the best team win, hopefully munster.....
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Comment number 11.
At 9th Apr 2010, bendirs wrote:Munster10 - Good point, I should have made that clearer, I meant they haven't been beaten at Thomond in 15 years. Thanks for pointing that out.
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Comment number 12.
At 9th Apr 2010, Hookers_armpit wrote:Some interesting 606 views on your blogging Ben:
/dna/606/A66245169
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Comment number 13.
At 10th Apr 2010, JerkDickinson wrote:Reihana is a credit to everything associated with him.
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Comment number 14.
At 10th Apr 2010, bendirs wrote:Hookers_armpit - Yeh, thanks for that, one of my colleagues had already pointed it out, which was nice of him! I've just replied, in case you're interested.
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Comment number 15.
At 11th Apr 2010, DasBeast wrote:Best team won on the day. Munster's backs looked far more dangerous than Northampton's and they turned up the pressure in the second half. Good effort though Saints.
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