As one World Cup winner gets set to leave Munster this summer, another will arrive.
amian de Allende may only have spent two seasons in Limerick, but the South African powerhouse centre has made such a big impact that he won’t be easily replaced.
It’s just as well then that as soon as De Allende signalled his intention not to renew his contract, Munster set about finding a midfielder of the same calibre.
As replacements go, Malakai Fekitoa looks like a good fit, but the former All Black, who has switched his international allegiances to his native Tonga, has big boots to fill.
Moving to a new country in the middle of a pandemic brought about its own challenges, and while De Allende (right) and his young family were made to feel at home by the Munster squad with their strong South African contingent, he has decided that his future lies elsewhere.
With next year’s World Cup looming large, De Allende has not been short of options, but he will not be staying in Europe. Instead, he looks set to return to Japan or back home to South Africa.
The 30-year-old slotted seamlessly into the Munster team, yet it is disappointing that he hasn’t got to fully experience the magic of the province, with behind-closed-doors games a hallmark of his time in Limerick.
For instance, De Allende has yet to play at a full Thomond Park, which for a player of his quality and standing in the game is a real shame.
Saturday’s URC clash against Leinster promises to be a typically feisty affair, yet it appears that it will not be a sell-out.
Munster supporters have relished seeing one of the world’s best centres playing in red, they just wish it was for longer.
De Allende has had a big influence on the younger players in the squad, while his contribution on the pitch has been remarkably consistent.
According to Opta, since making his debut against Leinster in August 2020, no Munster player has beaten more defenders (67), while he has broken the most tackles by a back (174).
His power in contact regularly puts Munster on the front foot, coupled with his defensive solidity, as he almost plays like an extra back-row, particularly in the potent threat he poses around the breakdown.
As much as Fekitoa (29) is a good replacement, Munster would surely have wanted to keep De Allende, but the reality is, there isn’t room for two NIQ (non-Irish qualified) centres on the books.
The powers that be deserve credit for acting so promptly by recruiting Fekitoa, especially considering Munster have not yet confirmed their coaching staff for next season.
However, all indications are that Graham Rowntree will replace the Bath-bound Johann van Graan as head coach.
Whoever does take over will welcome Fekitoa’s arrival, but given the impression De Allende has made, the 24-times-capped former All Black will be under pressure to hit the ground running when he arrives from Wasps this summer.
For all that De Allende will have acquired plenty of intel on Irish rugby ahead of the Springboks’ meeting with Ireland at the 2023 World Cup, Fekitoa is also set to face some familiar faces in France next year, as Tonga are also expected to be in the same pool.
As De Allende enters the final months of his time in Munster, he will be determined to finish on a high and not have any regrets about his short stint in the country.
“Well, definitely the players,” De Allende said when asked what aspect of Munster rugby he enjoyed the most.
“I’ve enjoyed Ireland as a country. I would have loved to have done a bit more than what I have done but obviously Covid held it back.
“But I think for me, just coming to Ireland, it’s always a bit scary coming to a different country but the way the guys accepted me and the amount of rugby knowledge I have gained through the coaches and the players has been pretty awesome as well.
“Yeah, I will probably miss the players and the coaches the most. And probably Guinness, as the Guinness doesn’t taste as nice as it does in Ireland!”
The well-travelled Fekitoa will hopefully not face the challenge of joining Munster while the country is in lockdown.
But despite his vast experience and obvious class, Fekitoa will be feeling the heat, as he looks to emulate De Allende’s big impact in a short space of time.