Although a certain head coaching role has become available in his native New Zealand, and despite Munster’s demoralising exit from the Champions Cup, Clayton McMillan has vowed that he has no intention of walking out on his three-year contract with Munster.
McMillan is one of the many New Zealand coaches who has been linked with the role of All Backs head coach following the departure of Scott Robertson last week, albeit Jamie Joseph is the apparent favourite. But whether that materialise, or there is a ripple effect if Joseph is plucked from the Highlanders, McMillan has dispelled any fears that Munster will lose him prematurely, as they did Rassie Erasmus a year and a half into his tenure.
“I made a commitment to come here and I fully intend to see that out,” stated McMillan. “One of the reasons why I came here is to grow my exposure to the game up in this part of the world.
“There are some differences and we’re learning that. I’m living through it and really enjoying that experience, which will make me a better coach in the long-term.”
As for the All Blacks, McMillan said: “I really haven’t given it much thought because it’s on the other side of the world, and I’m here.”
A noticeably straight talker, albeit his expressions don’t give much away, watching McMillan take deep breaths and exhale in frustration and disappointment at various junctures of the 31-29 defeat against Castres at Thomond Park last Saturday, it was tempting to wonder if he’d begun to realise that this job was even bigger than he envisaged.
He smiled when that was put to him and then made clear he had fully realised the scale of the task before he accepted it.
“I think it’s exactly what I anticipated, to be perfectly honest. I didn’t just jump at taking on this job because I had an appetite to come to Munster. You do your homework and you understand where a squad is at, and what the competition is like. I would have spoken to a lot of people and was well informed when I came in here.
“I would like to think that one of my real strengths is that my playing journey and my coaching journey has never been one of privilege. It’s always been inheriting teams. I don’t know why. I don’t always want this to happen but [it has been] inheriting teams that are perhaps in a state of transition or have been through some change.
“And I like to think that one of my skill sets is to go into those environments and put a plan in place that will bring about the change that’s needed to be consistently competitive and contesting titles on a regular basis.
Castres’ Baptiste Cope celebrates after winning a late penalty during the Champions Cup game against Munster at Thomond Park. Photograph: Nick Elliott/Inpho
“That’s what we’re seeing unfold. We all want things to get better at an accelerated rate, but we’re just living the reality of where we currently are.
“We’re not happy about it, but I’m also realistic to know that we are on a little bit of a journey. I say that with a bit of trepidation because it can be interpreted as you’re looking for a free pass, and it’s not that.”
There have been, he admits, times when Munster have been “nowhere near where we need to be”, such as 20-minute periods against the Stormers and Bath, and “a whole game against Ulster”, but otherwise they’ve been in every game, despite not playing at the peak of their powers.
“It absolutely sucks to lose rugby games, but we don’t feel like we’re that far away and when it clicks we’re going to be a good rugby team. But, I’m getting everything that I anticipated. It’s not any bigger or smaller than what I imagined it would be.”
The upcoming challenge for McMillan and Munster, beginning with a six-day turnaround for Friday’s URC game against the Dragons in Musgrave Park (7.35pm), is to recover quickly, make improvements and ensure they qualify for the knock-out stages of next season’s Champions Cup to return a better side.
To that end, on foot of their deep Monday review, McMillan said: “One of the big things that came out of today is around individual accountability and just professional habits. Just turning up every day with a real desire to grow and be at your best. It can be difficult because you’re deep into a season,” he said, noting that some players must be frustrated not to be playing more.
“There’s a number of things that we need to navigate. But, I think the things that are hurting us most out on the rugby field, particularly over the last month, is our inaccuracy. It sometimes gets reported as discipline, our decision-making there … the…yellows have cost us a massive 55 per cent of the points that have been scored against us in the Champions Cup when we haven’t had 15 men on the field.
“And then just developing a ruthless edge. I think we’re doing enough in games to win. When the opposition are gifting us opportunities to really put the foot on the throat, we’re not taking that.
“We’re turning it into more of an arm wrestle than perhaps it needs to be. Not any one thing in particular. Lots of little things that I think we can solve.”
The upcoming games against the Dragons and away to Glasgow the following Friday look even more challenging now.
“That’s part of what we’ve done this morning, is to almost push the reset button or have that state-of-the-nation meeting to acknowledge what’s happened, but also to ensure that there’s a new line in the sand and we continue to move forward because there’s still lots to play for.”