SIMON ZEBO RARELY comes across as a man who feels the pressure on the high-stakes occasions, but memories of last season’s Heineken Cup semi-final against Clermont might challenge that impression somewhat.
In Montpellier, the exciting wing delivered one of his quieter performances during a superb 2012/13 season, failing to get on the ball as often as he would have hoped to and providing several uncharacteristic errors.
Ahead of Sunday’s clash with Toulon, the 24-year-old is in an altogether more comfortable mental position, much like the majority of his teammates.
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“We’re definitely in a better place as a squad. Last year was going into the unknown for us, because there was a lot of youth in the squad. There was probably only Paulie and one or two others who had played in such an atmosphere.
Now everybody has done it and we know what we’ve got to do. It gives us a bit of confidence I suppose, knowing that we’ve gone there [to France] and put in a good performance.
“It’s going to be something that the group won’t be as new to as we were last year. We’ll have to go right from the start, rather than 20 minutes in like we did last year.”
Zebo was named Munster's Young Player of the Season in 2012/13. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Munster’s form has been impressive and their blitzing of Toulouse in the opening minutes of the quarter-final would suggest that a sluggish start will not affect them as it did against Clermont last season.
Zebo believes that his province showed that they are “very hard to live with” when they play at a high tempo and blast defenders away from rucks, as against Toulouse, but also admits that what has gone before won’t be enough this time.
It’s going to be definitely another level up, so we’ll have to go to a special place internally as players if we’re going to match these guys. It’s going to be a very daunting place to go to Marseille, but everybody’s excited and we just can’t wait to rip into them.”
The Ireland international speaks of mirroring the intensity of the travelling Munster fans in the stands at the Stade Vélodrome, making the clash with Toulon “one hell of a game” for those loyal supporters.
Rob Penney and his backroom staff have garnered lots of deserved credit for leading the province to this stage, but Zebo points out that this weekend’s game is all about the players being on point.
“There’s only so much that the coaching team can do. Training has to go well, which it has done, but at the end of the day, it comes down to your individual preparation. If everyone is on top of that, like we usually are for these one-off games, that should lead into a good performance. ”
'We'll have to go to a special place internally' - Zebo ready for Toulon test
SIMON ZEBO RARELY comes across as a man who feels the pressure on the high-stakes occasions, but memories of last season’s Heineken Cup semi-final against Clermont might challenge that impression somewhat.
In Montpellier, the exciting wing delivered one of his quieter performances during a superb 2012/13 season, failing to get on the ball as often as he would have hoped to and providing several uncharacteristic errors.
Ahead of Sunday’s clash with Toulon, the 24-year-old is in an altogether more comfortable mental position, much like the majority of his teammates.
“We’re definitely in a better place as a squad. Last year was going into the unknown for us, because there was a lot of youth in the squad. There was probably only Paulie and one or two others who had played in such an atmosphere.
“It’s going to be something that the group won’t be as new to as we were last year. We’ll have to go right from the start, rather than 20 minutes in like we did last year.”
Munster’s form has been impressive and their blitzing of Toulouse in the opening minutes of the quarter-final would suggest that a sluggish start will not affect them as it did against Clermont last season.
Zebo believes that his province showed that they are “very hard to live with” when they play at a high tempo and blast defenders away from rucks, as against Toulouse, but also admits that what has gone before won’t be enough this time.
The Ireland international speaks of mirroring the intensity of the travelling Munster fans in the stands at the Stade Vélodrome, making the clash with Toulon “one hell of a game” for those loyal supporters.
Rob Penney and his backroom staff have garnered lots of deserved credit for leading the province to this stage, but Zebo points out that this weekend’s game is all about the players being on point.
“There’s only so much that the coaching team can do. Training has to go well, which it has done, but at the end of the day, it comes down to your individual preparation. If everyone is on top of that, like we usually are for these one-off games, that should lead into a good performance. ”
Audio courtesy of the Big Red Bench on Cork’s Red FM.
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