The deed is done and Joey Carbery is a Munster player, but it could be a while before he gets a run out in that famous red jersey.
Carbery was the one to break the news of his move to Munster, from Leinster, last week and it left one of the four Irish provinces beaming.
Leinster lose a star player, Ulster are snubbed and Connacht are wondering if they could get a quality, Irish outhalf sent their way any time soon. As for Munster, they are now looking at a half-back pairing of Conor Murray and Carbery and 2018/19 can’t come quick enough.
David Wallace is thrilled with Munster’s acquisition and feels his old province could definitely challenge for silverware next season. Wallace was a two-time Heineken Cup winner with Munster and he feels the new arrivals will definitely help the team to take steps forward from their recent close calls.
Next May will mark 11 years since Munster were last European champions. If the new-look squad gel, and stay lucky with injuries, Wallace can’t see why Munster could be the first name on the freshly titled Heineken Champions Cup.
“Getting to play with Conor Murray and build up their combination is such a plus for him. He is such an exciting talent and he will bring his own capabilities to bear on Munster’s style of play. He will soften defences and create space for the lads outside him.
“The new additions Munster have made have them ripe and well set for a fantastic year, next year. Joey will be centre to that but his arrival forces the envelope for the other outhalves on the books too. They have to get up to his standards if they are to challenge for the jersey.”
Wallace was at Munster when the likes of Niall Ronan, Johne Murphy and Felix Jones [all Leinster lads] were there but insists buying into their new side was never a problem. He has some simple words of advice for Carbery on the matter:
“Those lads were all pleasantly surprised about the environment around Munster. The young guys slagged the older guys and everyone mixed in.
“Once you give your best, you’re off to a good start. Once you put on that jersey, you’re a Munster player.”
Former Munster and Ireland centre James Downey spoke well about the Carbery move on The Hard Yards [from 43:00 below].
Downey does not believe Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt was as out of the loop regarding Carbery’s final decision to switch to Munster.
“Nothing happens without Joe knowing. Him and David Nucifora [IRFU performance director] have got complete control. They would have known extremely well. When you saw the speculation about Ulster and there was hesitation, [you knew] there was not a chance he was going anywhere near there. If he did, it would have been completely forced. He didn’t want to go there.
“He has come out and said [his Munster move] is a rugby decision. I completely agree and I think it is the right decision… He started one game at 10 for Leinster this season. It’s not exactly like he was number two. If Johnny Sexton’s not there, Ross Byrne comes in.”
Downey has backed the 22-year-old to launch himself into his new start and move down to, and get immersed in, Munster as soon as he gets back from Ireland’s tour of Australia.
“Munster now have this extra X factor in their backline that they can unleash,” he added, “and as a defence it gives you something else to worry about.”
