Poignant Graham Rowntree interview an insight to the man's character

Humble, poignant Graham Rowntree interview was an insight to the man’s character

Patrick McCarry

This is the man that has forced these Munster players to dig deeper for victory.

Munster’s players, staff, coaches and fans are living it up in Cape Town after ending a long wait for silverware. Graham Rowntree spoke superbly after the dramatic Munster win.

Munster claimed their first title since 2011 after they defeated Stormers 19-14 in Cape Town. They led at half-time but fell behind to a Deon Fourie try before coming back late to win it with a converted John Hodnett score.

Hodnett was the match-winner and man-of-the-match, and he has clearly been taking a leaf out of the Paddy Patterson playbook. Following the game, Rowntree had a list of victory dedications, including late Munster coach Tom Tierney, who passed away earlier this year.

“It’s a bit surreal, is this happening, is this really happening? It is,” said Graham Rowntree.

“You know we’ve done it the hard way as well. Six games away from home. We’ve come here, a venue like this, up against the current champions, we’ve done it tough.

“This is for the whole province. People at the offices in Cork, Musgrave, people at the offices in Thomond, the fans, the people at home, the kids watching us. It’s for everyone.

“It’s not been an easy year. We lost a great one with Tom Tierney, a great coach, an emotional year. This is for the family of Tom, for everyone.”

#STOvMUN @THESTORMERS – 14@Munsterrugby – 19

Príomhchóitsealaí Mumha, Graham Rowntree

Munster's Head Coach, Graham Rowntree gives his post game thoughts@IrishRugby @URCOfficial #BKTURC #Rugby pic.twitter.com/89tjMpyUWn

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) May 27, 2023

John Hodnett ‘does a Mack Hansen,

John Hodnett has really come to the fore as the season progressed and was handed the No.7 jersey for the final against last season’s champions. The main Munster openside of yore, David Wallace himself would have bee proud of that Hodnett performance as he cut loose, scrapped hard and showed great composure and strength to score the winner.

In his post-match interview, though, the Cork native proved he has a thing or two to learn yet. Hodnett declared:

“Yeah, look, f*** it, some win, in fairness.”

The reaction of Peter O’Mahony, his captain, was an instant classic.

John Hodnett swearing seconds into the interview 😂😂 #URC #STOvMUN pic.twitter.com/tQ0UHNqP9S

— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) May 27, 2023

Here is the rest of that interview, after Viaplay opted to share to social media without the John Hodnett f-bomb.

As you will see, the flanker spoke very well about Munster growing as a team as they stacked up the road wins. “It’s just another one on our journey, like,” he declared.

🗣️ "It's a whole year of work, like, and it's unbelievable to win it."@Munsterrugby's hero on the night, John Hodnett, speaks after a special game 🔴#URC | #STOvMUN pic.twitter.com/rRfCHcKBiC

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) May 27, 2023

Meanwhile, over in the post-match press conference, Graham Rowntree was sampling some of the local beer but craving a ‘proper glass of red wine’ once he was wrapped at DHL Stadium.

Graham Rowntree holds up his can of Castle Light and says 'I can't wait to have a proper glass of red wine later, this is ghastly'

— Rúaidhrí O'Connor (@RuaidhriOC) May 27, 2023

As John Hodnett said himself, as he wrapped up his interview with a winners’ medal slung around his neck, “Top man.”