ROB PENNEY SAYS lessons will be learned from Munster’s defeat to Treviso last weekend, when four yellow cards cost Munster dearly, but stresses that his squad has moved on.
Niall Ronan, Duncan Williams, Cathal Sheridan and Stephen Archer were all sin binned by referee Leighton Hodges as Munster gave up a 10-point lead to lose 29-19. Penney says his charges have learned what they can from their ill-discipline but also points out the testing circumstances the Welsh official found himself in.
“It was certainly a frustration and something we’ve talked about. There’s certain things we can control and some we can’t. We’ve got to get better at not putting ourselves in those positions.
It was a day when there happened to 20-odd assessors in the grand stand, so that causes a degree of pressure, I’m sure, for anyone out in the middle. There was a massive language barrier issue, and all those things culminated in a degree of pressure that wouldn’t normally be there. They [the assessors] were having a conference over there at the time, so he was probably under a bit of extra heat.”
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Despite the failure to secure a second win on their extended visit to Italy, Munster remain third in the Pro12 table, just two points off leaders Glasgow. While the wins over Edinburgh and Zebre were promising, the weakness of the opposition must be taken into account. Penney is of the belief that it may take a few months for a true pattern to emerge in the league.
“The guys who are to the forefront of the competition at the moment are the ones that have obviously done some work in the summer and have prepared well on attacking an early lead. But there’s a long way to go and there’s a few wet weather games to come, I’m sure. That’ll have a big bearing on where everyone ends up in May.”
Early days
Each of the Pro12 clubs have a win under their belts already, and the early impression is that the league has improved in quality and competition. The Newport Gwent Dragons sit in the play-off positions after wins against Ulster and the Scarlets. While he agrees that the league appears more balanced this season, Penney is wary of making early assumptions.
“I think it’s early days. Even last year, you look at Ulster who had a bit of a run-away at the start, but they were winning by one or two points. It wasn’t as if they were smashing people. Glasgow had a couple of hiccups in the middle period and then came strongly again at the end.
It’s a long year and there will be ups and downs. But I think there is a bit of an evenness about the teams at the moment. There’s not massive scores each way or big blow outs, so potentially that is the case.”
The next challenge for Munster is the visit of a “capable” Dragons team to Musgrave Park on Saturday evening. Penney is happy with the improvements his players are making, particularly in how they are adapting to the patterns and style he prefers. There have been glimpses of real quality from Munster early on this season and Penney is keen for them to become more regular.
“The game is to be played to be enjoyed, you know? So the lads are growing with that all the time and we’ll see what progress they can make.”
Penney moving past yellow fiasco in Treviso
ROB PENNEY SAYS lessons will be learned from Munster’s defeat to Treviso last weekend, when four yellow cards cost Munster dearly, but stresses that his squad has moved on.
Niall Ronan, Duncan Williams, Cathal Sheridan and Stephen Archer were all sin binned by referee Leighton Hodges as Munster gave up a 10-point lead to lose 29-19. Penney says his charges have learned what they can from their ill-discipline but also points out the testing circumstances the Welsh official found himself in.
“It was certainly a frustration and something we’ve talked about. There’s certain things we can control and some we can’t. We’ve got to get better at not putting ourselves in those positions.
Despite the failure to secure a second win on their extended visit to Italy, Munster remain third in the Pro12 table, just two points off leaders Glasgow. While the wins over Edinburgh and Zebre were promising, the weakness of the opposition must be taken into account. Penney is of the belief that it may take a few months for a true pattern to emerge in the league.
“The guys who are to the forefront of the competition at the moment are the ones that have obviously done some work in the summer and have prepared well on attacking an early lead. But there’s a long way to go and there’s a few wet weather games to come, I’m sure. That’ll have a big bearing on where everyone ends up in May.”
Early days
Each of the Pro12 clubs have a win under their belts already, and the early impression is that the league has improved in quality and competition. The Newport Gwent Dragons sit in the play-off positions after wins against Ulster and the Scarlets. While he agrees that the league appears more balanced this season, Penney is wary of making early assumptions.
“I think it’s early days. Even last year, you look at Ulster who had a bit of a run-away at the start, but they were winning by one or two points. It wasn’t as if they were smashing people. Glasgow had a couple of hiccups in the middle period and then came strongly again at the end.
The next challenge for Munster is the visit of a “capable” Dragons team to Musgrave Park on Saturday evening. Penney is happy with the improvements his players are making, particularly in how they are adapting to the patterns and style he prefers. There have been glimpses of real quality from Munster early on this season and Penney is keen for them to become more regular.
“The game is to be played to be enjoyed, you know? So the lads are growing with that all the time and we’ll see what progress they can make.”
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Guinness PRO12 Munster Rob Penney Sin bin Yellow Cards