MUNSTER HEAD COACH Graham Rowntree has denied that he and Peter O’Mahony had a falling out during contract negotiations last season.
O’Mahony came off his IRFU national contract at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, meaning he had to discuss a new deal with Munster during the course of last season, with the talks rumbling on for some time before the province confirmed he had signed a contract part-funded by Munster and the IRFU in April.
The Cork man, who turned 35 yesterday, stepped down from the Munster captaincy last November, a decision that came out of the blue and was followed by rumours of a disagreement between Rowntree and O’Mahony concerning a new contract.
However, Rowntree looked to put that chat to bed yesterday.
“We didn’t fall out,” said Rowntree. “I didn’t raise my voice once.
“I raise my voice a lot in various contexts but I’ve never raised my voice in any contract negotiations. It just took a long time. It’s complicated, that scenario was complicated but we got to a greater agreement.”
O’Mahony’s one-year deal means he will play on with Munster for the coming season, while he has stated that he hopes to play on for Ireland too, having been the tour captain for the trip to South Africa last summer.
Munster confirmed yesterday that Tadhg Beirne is now their permanent captain after the Ireland second row took on that role for much of last season following O’Mahony’s decision to step down as skipper.
The announcement came as no surprise and Rowntree believes Beirne is an ideal leader for the province, with others around him offering support.
“He is world-class, world-class,” said Rowntree. “If he’s fit, I’ll be picking him. That’s a big one for a captain, I think, he’s got to be up there with one of your best players.
“He’s got an aura about him the way he plays the game. He’s good for the group, he’s a giver as well. He likes pulling along the group standard-wise. He’s easygoing, a laidback dude as well, he does it his own way.”
As Munster continue their preparation for Saturday’s URC opener against Connacht at Thomond Park, Rowntree is delighted to have second row Jean Kleyn fit and available for the first time since November of last year.
The South African World Cup winner had to overcome a complicated eye injury which required him to undergo a procedure and Rowntree is excited to see Kleyn back in action.
“He’s very important to the group, the work he does, the minutes he plays, the numbers he punches on the field, the rucks he hits,” said the Munster head coach.
“He has big ballast in terms of the second row and his game has really come on with Mike coming on board. His softer skills, that little sweep pass, his handling. He is good for the group.”
Kleyn will be akin to a new signing, while Munster fans seem likely to see a few of their actual new signings in action this weekend as the season gets underway.
With Jack Crowley’s return delayed under the third week of the season after his involvement on Ireland’s tour, new out-half Billy Burns looks set to steer the ship from the number 10 shirt. Rowntree praised Burns’ impression on the province in pre-season after his arrival from Ulster.
“He has good communication, he has trained well, he’s quick, his little short kicking game suits us,” said Rowntree.
“He has got a young family, moved down and thrown himself into the environment, into the club, and the lads like him. He’s not been perfect for us in the two outings, no one has yet, but from what I’ve seen, I expect him to be here a while if I’m honest with you.
“It’s a [one-]year deal but I’d be keen to speak to him soon enough.”
And it’s fair to say that Rowntree is also brimming with excitement to unleash new South African wing/fullback Thaakir Abrahams.
The 24-year-old joined Munster from French club Lyon and Rowntree believes he can have a big impact.
“Do you remember Jason Robinson dancing around people? I remember playing against him and training with him, and wow, seeing him up close and the agility he had… well, I feel the same with ‘Tucky,’ that’s his nickname. Thaakir Abrahams, just to see him up close, his agility around the field and his movement. He’s quick, high-ball skills and another one the lads have really taken under their wing.
“He had visa issues, as a lot of South Africans are going to experience very quickly coming back to the country, but was working away in 38 degrees in Lyon so I don’t think he minded having visa troubles when the rain was lashing here in August!
“And from what I’m seeing early on, I’m excited. It’s that cutting edge, that extra gear on the end of a pass, that I’m expecting to see wherever we pick him across the back three.”
Oh look, more nonsense that was manufactured about Rowntree and O’Mahony falling out last season. Glad it’s been put to bed and Rowntree has confirmed it was a load of bull
@5sZl1dX2: O’Mahony resigned as captain in November because he wasn’t getting his own way in Contact negotiations. Everyone in Munster and the media couldn’t explain and it came as a surprise to everyone. Of course O’Mahony fell out with Rowntree and Munster. He acted like a child resigning the captaincy showing no respect for the honour he had been given. Rowntree is hardly going to admit there was a falling out now At he start of the new season and reopen old wounds.
@Jimmy Bean: Rubbish, if they tried to give you a salary decrease in your job and you stood up for yourself, would you be acting as a child? It’s his job after all, and he should have been given more respect.
@james joyce: I have no problem with him sticking up for himself but he acted like a petulant child when he resigned the captaincy. He wasn’t on a central contact at the time and Munster offered what they thought a 34 year old flanker was worth.
There wasn’t any French clubs looking for his signature either. IRFU bailed Munster out in the end. That’s the real story.
@Jimmy Bean: why would O’Mahony fall out with Munster and Rowntree when it was the IRFU that we’re playing hardball with a central contract? Makes absolutely zero sense
@Jimmy Bean: How do you know all this as fact? Have you a source close to OMahoney?
@Jimmy Bean: he was on a central contract at the time. If there was a falling out, why would they offer him a contract and why would he accept it. You really are clueless
@Jimmy Bean: his captaincy resignation was nothing to do with his contract. it was to support legacy captain while he was still around. same thing Paul o connell did when POM took over. poc helped pom transition to the role. same way pom is helping beirne. you see it in the dressing room where alot of the time pom is doing the talking with beirne chipping in.
@Jimmy Bean: you talk like you have inside knowledge, which I doubt. Only the parties involved know the full story; the rest is supposition and speculation.
@John Buckley: He was finishing his central contact. Ireland were not offering him a new one at the time. Therefore Munster were footing the bill. In the end Farrell saved him by making him captain of the South Africa tour and IRFU stumped up a special contract which seems to have kept him happy.
Try to keep up. There’s a good lad.
Not exactly a forceful denial there, to be fair. Has been clear for quite some time there is tension between both men. O’Mahony is not a universally popular figure in Irish rugby circles – a bit like Jamie Heaslip. His behaviour towards Reggie Corrigan in that famous post match interview and that disgusting comment to Sam Cane mid game have no place in rugby – both reflect very poorly on Pete. I would definitely back Rowntree in this.
@Aidan Farrell: “His behaviour towards Corrigan” .. perhaps recalled Corrigan giving the MOM to Claremonts Joubert in Thomond Park despite Joubert being substituted and his team getting hammered by 20 points!! It’s a well known fact that Corrigan hates Munster.
@Aidan Farrell: behaviour towards Reggie? So ticking up for your teammates when their being questioned by a has been is now unacceptable behaviour m? Give me a break
@Aidan Farrell: you have to be the most clueless donkey on here, and that’s saying something.
Have to say POM has been poor the last couple of seasons only seems to b only interested getting involved in digs scraps and sledging than playing rugby
Not sure I buy what Rowntree is selling here. The pen story is true seemingly.