With Ireland facing off against New Zealand tomorrow, JOE met up Ireland and Munster Prop Marcus Horan, who is currently sidelined with injury.
Horan talked to JOE about his frustration at being on the sidelines, the up and coming players at Munster and the contentious issue of the scrum, while he’s predicting a tough match for Declan Kidney’s team against the All-Blacks at the Aviva Stadium.
By Conor Hogan
You’ve been suffered with an injury recently. How’s your recovery going?
It’s slow. I broke the scaphoid bone in my thumb and I need to look after it properly or I’ll have problems later in life. It’s in a cast. I’m missing out on an awful lot of rugby and that’s frustrating.
Munster had great win against the Aussies last week. You must have been disappointed not to be out there?
Yeah, it was an amazing occasion and the boys were brilliant. It was a great experience to be there, but I’d have liked to have been involved. It was great to see the young lads coming through.
It’s encouraging for the future of Munster Rugby.
It’s fantastic. I’ve been there before as a young lad in the squad, trying to make a name for yourself. In the past, there wasn’t a lot of games in the season to show yourself. Then again, we have a big squad now, so it’s harder for some guys to get a run out.
When lads are away on international duty, it’s a real opportunity for young fellows to shine, and certainly a lot stepped up to the mark against Australia and the future seems bright for Munster. We must knuckle down, though, as there’s Magners League on Sunday. You don’t win trophies for beating touring sides.
Another big match last week was Ireland’s outing against Samoa. During that game, the scrum descended into something of a farce. Have you been frustrated this year with the interpretation from game to game?
Before my injury, I certainly was, and equally so now that I’m wearing my spectator’s shoes. During the Treviso v Munster game, for instance, three props were sin binned, which is ridiculous.
And as far as the Samoa game goes, I was watching television and at the time I was flicking between that and the Welsh game, and every time I came back to the Ireland game, it was still on that scrum.
I think the whole thing took over five minutes. People pay good money to go and see these games, and it’s horrible to see it slowed down completely. A lot of people don’t know what’s going on at the scrum.
It does need a review. Holding the front row down in a crouched position can be very difficult, and it’s hard to keep discipline and not jump the gun.
Do you think the IRB will do something going forward or will players just have to adapt?
To be honest, the night I was at the Treviso game in the terrace, the crowd weren’t shy about voicing their opinions very vocally. There were stages during it that guys had their back to the pitch and were having a chat; they were more interested in having drinks and talking about their weekend.
Its a poor reflection on the game. We want people to be riveted and get behind their team. It’s killing the momentum of games completely.
That’s for sure. Back to your own game, you’re 33 now. How much longer do you think you can keep going for Munster and for Ireland?
I think that’s more down to coaches and managers and whether they want me around. I feel good apart from the injury which was only a stupid accident in the gym. I’m feeling fit and strong.
I just need to get a good run at it, injury fee. That’ll be a huge plus. The drive is definitely there and as long as I can, I’ll keep going.
So the next World Cup won’t be your last hurrah?
You can never say these things for definite. Anything can happen. Injuries are more prevalent nowadays; it’s a much more physical game and there is a lot more matches in a shorter period – the toll on players is enormous.
I’ll just have to keep in the right condition. Hopefully after Christmas I’ll be back and make a name for myself again.
Speaking of injuries, John Fogarty had to retire due to recurring concussions. As a prop, have you suffered similar problems and do you think something can be done to minimise this happening to others?
John is a good friend of mine and it’s hard to see things like that happening. It is a fairly physical game, so it is a case of looking after yourself. I was lucky enough to find a way back to playing.
Unfortunately for John, he had to retire, which was a terrible situation. I think it was the right decision, though. We have a great medical staff at Munster and Ireland and they monitor everybody. I got great advice, as did John.
Next up is the All-Blacks in the Aviva Stadium. New Zealand are 1/14 to win, which says a lot. What chance is there of an upset?
Never say never in a two horse race. It is a massive thing for Ireland and all of those involved are well aware of the fact we’ve never beaten them. The last couple of games Ireland played doesn’t exude an awful lot of confidence. Us Irish are comfortable in the position of underdog, though, and I hope the boys do well.
I know from talking to them that they are working extremely hard and are slightly frustrated with the way they’re playing. There’s no better time for them to click, and if they make a good start and keep it tight until half time, anything can happen. A betting man would have to go for New Zealand, though.
You mentioned Ireland’s infamous record against the All-Blacks, which statistically speaking is incredible. Do you think it’s psychological?
The more people say ‘Ireland have never beaten the All-Blacks,’ the more it hangs over Irish players’ heads. It is also a great driving force for New Zealand to keep it going. Donning the green jersey against the All-Blacks is a great incentive for players now though.
They have the opportunity to be on the very first Irish team to beat them – a chance to always be remembered. I hope for their own sake that they put up a great performance. They’ve been getting huge criticism, and they have enough demons to battle with themselves than have their own media come down on them. Some of the press has been unfair at times.
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