'I didn't think it would happen this early': Carbery on Munster exit
Munster fly-half Joey Carbery has admitted he did not think he would be leaving Irish rugby at this stage in his career, but is looking forward to a "fresh start" in France next season with Bordeaux-Begles.
The 37-cap Ireland international is in the final few months of his time with Munster and Irish rugby as a whole, and while he recently said that a move abroad is something that he wanted to experience, he did not think he would be making the move at the age of 28.
But a disastrous injury record since joining Munster from Leinster in 2018 has meant he has completely dropped out of Andy Farrell's reckoning, earning his last cap almost 18 months ago.
Speaking ahead Munster's United Rugby Championship clash with Cardiff on Saturday, the New Zealand-born fly-half said it was an "extremely tough decision" to leave Munster, but he could not pass by the opportunity to play in the Top 14.
After a poor start to the season, Munster have strung together three league wins in a row, helping them break into the top four with their latest victory. They will be hoping to solidify their place near the top of the table against Cardiff at Thomond Park, as Carbery hopes for a strong finish to his time with the reigning URC champions.
"I suppose it was a great opportunity that I couldn't really pass by," Carbery said of move to Bordeaux.
"I think the way things have gone probably over the last year for me, a few people I've chatted to were just like 'look, a fresh break can do and a fresh start can do the world of good for some people.'
"So I've taken it for that reason and it's really exciting. But I suppose there's still a huge amount to be played for at the end of this season.
"It's exciting. It was bittersweet, I always had the intention to go abroad and try something different at some stage in by career, I didn't think it would happen this early. But really excited for what's to come, but then again looking forward to finishing the season strongly here."
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All of these media pundits always miss the obvious whenever they analyse what is ailing or assisting the game. Rugby always has contentious points for debate when picking apart individual games and finding fault with itself. All this focus and scrutiny on “speeding up the game”, “high ball in play” etc is all contextual to the fan. As a tv viewer, if you’re absorbed into a game, regardless if your team is playing or not, more ball in play time and action are all byproducts of the contest. A good contest subliminally affects your memory in selectively remembering all the good aspects. A poor contest and your brain has switched off because its a blowout and the result is never in doubt or it’s a real chore to watch and remain engaged throughout. The URC, Top 14 and English premiership are all competitions that feel like there’s real jeopardy each week. The dominance of Super rugby by NZ teams was unhealthy from a sustainable interest perspective. You can’t fault those teams or the players, but the lack of competitions won by SA and Australian teams long term was always going to test the faith and patience of die-hard and casual fans from those regions. SANZAR took their eye off the fans and fans voted with their feet and subscriptions. They were so concerned about expanding their product they forgot the golden rule about broadcasting live sport. Viewers tune in more when there’s an atmosphere and a true contest. You need to fill stadiums to create one, host unions need to do more to service ticket buyers, and this year proves the other, there’s more interest in Super rugby this year only because more games are competitive with less foregone conclusions. All these micro statistics bandied about, only interest the bean counters and trainspotters.
Go to commentsIt’s a good, timely wake up call for NZ Rugby (seem to be a few of them lately!) - sort out the bureaucratic nonsense at board level. We can’t expect to stay the number one option without keeping fans/players engaged. We’ve obviously been bleeding players to league for years but can’t let the floodgates open (although I think this headline is hyperbolic as it’s a result of a recent Warriors pathways system where they are tracking things more closely) Understand the need to focus boys on rugby if they’re at a proud rugby school too, don’t think it’s harsh at all re Barakat in Hamilton. Reward the committed players with squad positions. An elite 1st XV system in NZ has done more for league than they even realise, think it’s good to protect our game further.
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