Munster’s first use of Joey Carbery understandable, but not what he moved for

Early days yet but it was interesting to see the outhalf deferring to JJ Hanrahan.

Once a Munster man, always a Munster man. That was Johann van Graan’s take on Joey Carbery’s Munster debut after his side’s 38-0 clattering of Cheetahs in the Guinness PRO14.

The 22-year-old entered the fray at Thomond Park to a thunderous reception just after Tommy O’Donnell made it 17-0 with his side’s third try. He replaced winger Shane Daly and a rejig of the Munster backline saw Carbery take up the out-half role and Hanrahan drop into the back three.

Interestingly, considering how he had missed two conversion attempts, Hanrahan remained on goal-kicking duties.

The Kerry native seemed to up his game when the former Leinster No. 10 entered the fray. Within 10 minutes of Carbery coming on for his Munster debut, Hanrahan was scampering over for the bonus point try. He took the conversion too, right under the shadow of the posts.

Not to be outdone, Carbery then flung a switch pass – skipping the excellent Darren Sweetnam – to give flanker Dave O’Callaghan a one-on-one with the covering Cheetahs back. No contest. Munster try.

This conversion was trickier but Hanrahan called for the kicking tee and lapped it over. His final conversion was straight in front of the posts when Sweetnam dotted down under the crossbar after his intercept.

A 13-point return for Hanrahan and a mantle thrown down to Carbery, and anyone else thinking of challenging for that red No.10 jersey this season.

One of the main drivers for Carbery upping sticks from Leinster was the fact that he needed to be the primary goal-kicker. It was important that he featured as first receiver and this was just a feeler for him but Joe Schmidt will be keen on seeing if Carbery can cut it with pressure kicks and by keeping the scoreboard ticking over.

Post-match, van Graan was delighted with how Carbery and all his subs fared. He said:

“Once a Munster man, always a Munster man. Very glad he’s part of Munster now.

“By saying that, I thought all eight guys made an impact and we really put them away in the last 15.”

"Once a Munster man, always a Munster man. Very glad he's part of Munster now."

– Johann van Graan reacts to @Munsterrugby's win & Joey Carbery's debut.#MUNvCHE #GuinnessPRO14 pic.twitter.com/kKkZmM8tmY

— eir Sport (@eirSport) September 1, 2018

It will be interesting to see if Carbery takes over the kicking duties when he makes his first full start for his new club.

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