– Baz & Andrew’s House of Rugby, Together with GUINNESS –
The Munster legend is more than content in New Zealand but he has always been open about his future ambitions.
“People can’t see my facial expressions, can they?” asked. “Oh yes, they can. We’re on video!”
It was a moment of levity from Ronan O’Gara, as he spoke with former Munster teammate Barry Murphy, but a clear signal of intent. The Cork native has excelled, and won trophies, on the Racing 92 and Crusaders coaching staffs and he is not done yet. He has signed a contract extension at the New Zealand Super Rugby franchise and is loving life in ‘The Land of the Long White Cloud’.
Last season, O’Gara was asked about taking over from Rassie Erasmus when the South African confirmed he was heading home to take up a role with the Springboks. He spoke about how much he had taken from his time, in Paris, with Racing 92 and added:
“I am enjoying it and, in relation to Munster, it would obviously be something I’d be really interested in but the timing is nowhere near right.”
That time could be drawing nearer, going from his revealing and wide-ranging with Murphy on Baz & Andrew’s House of Rugby [from 17:30 below]. As always with O’Gara, one does not have to scratch too deep to reach the truth of the matter. The man wears his heart, and ambitions, on his sleeve.
O’Gara spoke about how he has enjoyed catching up with the likes of John Langford, Trevor Halstead, Christian Cullen, Rua Tipoki and more during his time in Super Rugby. He believes that those outsiders that bought into the Munster culture – forged by names like Galwey, Foley and Clohessey – were the ones that thrived.
It was during his discussion on the topic that the prospect of his eventual return to his home province cropped up. The smile that lit up O’Gara’s face tells you all you need to know.
RONAN: No, it was, but that was a great strength of Munster’s and you don’t want to dilute it, I think. They’ve always made quality signings.
BARRY: Who’ve bought into it.
RONAN: But there’s been a few… one or two dodgy ones that have diluted it. But the great news during the week was that Conor Murray signs on. You think that, as Munster people, that is hugely important because the team was always built around local – Limerick, Cork, Tipp, Clare men. If you dilute that and they lose focus of that, it’s not a good way to go.
BARRY: Well, hopefully we might be able to see you back there at some point to keep up that tradition. Fingers crossed.
RONAN: People can’t see my facial expressions, can they? Oh yes, they can. We’re on video!
BARRY: Yep.
RONAN: I thought it was the radio.
BARRY: No, no. There we have it!
RONAN: There you have it. Some day, please God.
That look O’Gara gave his former Munster teammate was this:
It’s only a matter of time, and most Munster fans would readily welcome him back.
You can watch the full episode on YouTube (below) too.
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