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'They're the best by a mile' | Johann van Graan on Leinster after PRO14 final loss

Munster head coach Johann van Graan says Leinster are miles ahead of everyone else following thei...



Munster head coach Johann van Graan says Leinster are miles ahead of everyone else following their 10 point loss to them in the Guinness PRO14 final. 

16-6 was the final score at the RDS as Leo Cullen's side secured their fourth consecutive title.

Speaking to OTB Sports at full-time, Munster head coach Johann van Graan felt he couldn't criticise his side, saying Leinster were just too strong when applying pressure.

"The game plan was to go and win a final. I felt they [Leinster] started the game really well. They kept us in our 22.

"We scrambled really well, got ourselves back into it just before half-time.

"Once they gained access to our 22 though it's very difficult to keep them out.  From a pressure point of view, they kept us pinned just outside of our 22 and they won two big battles.

"They won the battle in the air and they won the battle at the scrum and we just couldn't get access to their 22.

"What you've got to give Leinster credit for is once they go ahead it's virtually impossible to catch them.

"In the last two passages of the game you try and play against them and you literally just get knocked back onto your own try line.

"As disappointing as that is, that's currently factually what they do exceptionally well."

van Graan must now turn his attention to Munster's Last 16 Champions Cup tie with Toulouse on Friday.

He says that this is a totally different ball game and doesn't think the defeat to their neighbours should overly impact them.

"It's a total different proposition that we face. Leinster are a team that just keeps applying the pressure, I think the two of us know each other very well.

"Unfortunately, it was another one-try game, they scored one try and we didn't score one.

"It's a total different game in a different competition.

"Obviously, it's a knock-out, which remains the same but it's a total different challenge that we'll face next Saturday."

The loss means that Munster's 10-year wait for silverware goes on.

It also marks a sixth straight defeat for Munster to Leinster.

Speaking after the game though van Graan wasn't overly negative upon this or towards his players, saying there is no one in club rugby that can match them.

"They're an excellent rugby team.

"They scored one try, we scrambled really well and we currently can't get past them. No team can currently get past them.

"That's not good enough for us to lose in a final, we came here to win and believed that we could, but fair play to them, they've won four PRO14s in a row now.

"They're very good. They're exceptionally good. They've got 15 players in the 23 that played against England last weekend.

"Their depth, if you just look at their bench - they're a phenomenal rugby team. You have to give it to them - they're currently the best team by a mile."

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Guinness Pro14 Johann Van Graan Munster Rugby