“I am humbled to be given the opportunity to lead Munster, an iconic club steeped in history.”
Ronan O’Gara has given his take on Munster’s hiring of their new head coach, Clayton McMillan.
Most fans and pundits praised the capture of the current Chiefs head coach, following the sudden departure of Graham Rowntree in October. Ian Costello has been in charge an an interim, and attack Mike Prendergast has been a favourite to take the reins.
However, McMillan comes with a wealth of experience and a pedigree with the New Zealand U20s, Maoris/All Blacks XV, and currently with the Chiefs who are lie top of the Super Rugby table.
And Munster legend – and current La Rochelle head coach Ronan O’Gara – has questioned the hiring process of Munster and the IRFU and the overlooking of Prendergast, who had a successful stint as the back coach for Racing 92 from 2019-2022.
In his column with the Irish Examiner, O’Gara said:
It’s nothing to do with the new man, but I’m still a touch uneasy about the process.
Mike Prendergast now goes to three, it looks like, in the pecking order… I’ve heard a lot that Prendergast hadn’t enough experience. But Richie Murphy had little experience as a head coach. Leo Cullen had none. McMillan only has three years, really.
Prendergast has travelled for 10 years in France. I can assure you it wasn’t for a lifestyle change. He headed to the toughest league, to a hostile environment with little grasp of the language to become a better coach and be ready when opportunity presented.
Despite losing out on the top job, Prendergast has been promoted to ‘senior coach’; a position held at Leinster by Jacques Nienaber, and previously Stuart Lancaster, both of whom would have been, and are, the main coaches at Ireland’s strongest side.
Munster rugby said: “Attack Coach Mike Prendergast will move up to the role of Senior Coach from July and working closely with McMillan, will now have a more central role in team preparation, strategy, selection and recruitment.”
After his appointment, New Zealander McMillan added: “I am humbled to be given the opportunity to lead Munster, an iconic club steeped in history.
“Leading the All Blacks XV against Munster last year gave me insight into the immense pride and passion of the club’s players, staff and wider rugby community. It was an incredible atmosphere and left a lasting impression.
“I am excited by the club’s ambition and core values. They align strongly with my own, and I look forward to joining the team in July.
“It has been an absolute privilege to work with the Chiefs and NZ Rugby. I am eternally grateful for the opportunities I have been afforded, and for the support of those I have worked alongside.
“The decision to leave wasn’t easy – I love my job, the people we represent, and what we value as a club. But I take real comfort in knowing the team is in great hands moving forward, with a talented playing group, coaches and staff.
“Whilst I look forward to the challenge at Munster, I am solely focused on giving everything I have to the Chiefs as we build on a promising start, with the goal of being genuine contenders at the business end of the season.”
