Munster's biggest challenge is not at Loftus, but in Limerick
Munster coach Clayton McMillan, having taken over the role ahead of the 2025/26 season on a three-year contract, is looking for a bigger impact from his bench against the Bulls than what he got in last week’s humbling whitewash at the hands of the Sharks.
The former Chiefs coach again went for a six-two bench split ahead of Saturday’s Round 14 face-off at Loftus Versfeld, and has put a bit more ‘experience’ in the reserves.
“The going gets really tough at altitude,” McMillan said.
The Kiwi said the team had worked at getting over the ‘disappointment’ of the performance against the Sharks.
The waters were further muddied by the news that a voluntary redundancy plan has been outlined to the Munster staff due to mounting financial pressures at the Irish province.
Employees were informed of the situation at a meeting on Tuesday. Up to 100 staff are eligible for the plan, but it is hoped that compulsory measures can be avoided.
Senior professional players and coaching staff will not be directly affected by the proposed measures.
However, there are plans in place to reduce the size of the playing squad ahead of next season.
Against this backdrop, McMillan wants his team to lift the bar on the field and “stick in the fight” against the powerful Bulls in Pretoria.
He wants his players to make the game about attitude, not altitude.
* (WATCH as Munster coach Clayton McMillan talks about the team’s off-field troubles ahead of their clash with the Bulls…..)
“If we win games and put ourselves in contention to host play-offs, it will have a significant impact,” McMillan said.
“We have been working hard and will continue to work hard to help in that regard.
“As a collective, we need to roll up our sleeves and do what we can to stick in the fight.”
The absence of coaches Alex Codling and Sean Cronin also isn’t ideal, but it does empower the players to run the set piece under McMillan’s guidance.
Playing in South Africa places a huge demand on being able to handle the ferocious physical element of the game, and for players like No.8 Brian Gleeson, Alex Kendellen and Tom Ahern, it’s a rigorous test.
The Bulls offer that fusion of raw power in the form of players like Elrigh Louw, Marcell Coetzee, Ruan Nortje, Juan Grobbelaar, and centurion Gerhard Steenekamp, while Marco van Staden, Cobus Wiese and Cameron Hanekom wait in reserve.
Veteran Springboks and World Cup winners’ fullback Willie Le Roux and flyhalf Handre Pollard are surrounded by the jet-heeled Kurt-Lee Arendse, Canan Moodie and Stedman Gans.
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