The Maori Messiah

Previously on the blog, I wrote about Munster’s obsession with the import center. I briefly mentioned the incoming Alex Nankivell in hopes he could form a partnership with Frisch, that could one day rival the Mafi/Tipoki axis of old.  

If I had known even half of what he would do in his first Champions Cup game, I’d have given him double the money and the keys to the city on arrival. In his first game he beat 12 defenders. That mark would put him in the top 15 of that category after the entire pool stage. Instead, he continued to thrive in the Munster system, beating 31 defenders in 4 games, 13 more than second place in that category. 

Nankivell and Frisch have formed a formidable midfield partnership this season, bringing stability to a position that has been a revolving door in recent years with the departure of Chris Farrell, Malakai Fekitoa, Dan Goggin, and Sammy Arnold. Together they’ve been accepted into the Munster identity, earning nicknames like Nank the Tank and Tony Fresh from Munster faithful, indicative of their contrasting playstyles.  

Frisch was recently called up to the French National Squad for the Six Nations before being released a few days later. If he is capped by Galthie, he’ll become the third player in as many years to become NIQ (Not Irish Qualified), forcing Munster to move on from him as they’ve done with the others. Therefore, breaking up a budding midfield partnership after just one season, again. 

With Munster taking on Northampton Saints on Sunday, 7th April at 12.30pm, Nankivell will get his first taste of knockout rugby in the northern hemisphere. I imagine he will revel the experience alongside center partner Antoine Frisch, hoping to follow in the famed footsteps of Lifemi Mafi and Rua Tipoki to European glory.