Heavens above, the Munster captain hasn’t missed a step.
Peter O’Mahony entered the 2018/19 fray by helping his Munster side take Ospreys to the cleaners at Musgrave Park.
The flanker was one of six Ireland internationals drafted into the starting XV after last weekend’s dispiriting loss to Glasgow Warriors. Head coach Johann van Graan demanded a reaction to that result and he certainly got one.
The try-scoring bonus point was wrapped up by half-time and when Arno Botha powered over, after a 70-metre break sparked by O’Mahony, it was 42-6.
Champagne stuff from @Munsterrugby 🍾🍾🍾#GuinnessPRO14 #MUNvOSP pic.twitter.com/RmcI007qzS
— eir Sport (@eirSport) September 14, 2018
Ospreys had rested several stars after their bright start to the season and they paid a heavy price.
O’Mahony and Tadhg Beirne were a nuisance in the lineout for Ospreys and, to be honest, just about all over the pitch. Between them, over the 52 minutes they both shared the pitch, they combined for:
- 4 turnovers
- 16 carries (50 metres gained)
- 3 clean breaks
- 2 defenders beaten
- 4 offloads
- 7 successful tackles
O’Mahony had not played since the Third Test against Australia, in June, when he left the pitch on a stretcher after one aerial collision with Israel Folau, and hard landing, too many.
Any doubts that he would need a game or two to get up to speed with his teammates were rapidly erased in the opening exchanges as he laid into a couple of Ospreys bodies and made a good, early carry over the gainline.
18 minutes in, however, and the Cork native lit the visitors up. Centre Cory Allen made a carry up the left flank but was wrapped up by O’Mahony and brought to the deck.
The blindside released Allen and, when winger Luke Morgan arrived to provide ruck protection and hold on for the cavalry, he was straight up on the counter-ruck. O’Mahony made short work of Allen, then Morgan and allowed Mike Haley to secure the turnover.
Peter O'Mahony doing Peter O'Mahony things 💪💪💪#GuinnessPRO14 pic.twitter.com/SLuQE6ZgUU
— eir Sport (@eirSport) September 14, 2018
Turnover assists are not an official stat but you’re looking at a beaut of one right there.
It was not all perfect for the Munster captain as he was tackled into next week by Ospreys tighthead Tom Botha and, later in the second half, knocked on under pressure. He will hope to tighten his game up before we get to the interpros and Champions Cup ties in the coming months.
The Munster back row of O’Mahony, Chris Cloete and Botha looked fierce as hell against Ospreys. Tougher tests await but this was an impressive debut game from that new unit.
