Former Munster player Donnacha O'Callaghan believes that RG Snyman's impending move to Leinster is a frustrating situation for fans and former Munster players.
It was announced weeks ago that the South African second-row Snyman, a back-to-back World Cup winner, is set to join Munster's fierce rivals Leinster in the summer.
It was reported that Leinster has paid a whopping €500,000 a season for the services of the Springbok player.
“After careful consideration of all offers presented, the Leinster opportunity was the one I decided on. It is an invitation that allows me to continue to stay part of a world-class high-performance rugby set-up. It also enables my wife and me to stay in Ireland," said the 28-year-old in a statement this month.
The move has created a stir in the Irish rugby fraternity, and many Munster fans have not welcomed Snyman's Leinster transfer.
Speaking on RTÉ, before the Munster and Leinster game, O'Callaghan said that he believes the South African player will not be seen in the same light as former Munster-Springbok players who came before him because of what he has done.
"I know there's a mindset that it's just business, but it's not around Munster. It's highly frustrating. I know supporters, ex-players—an awful lot of us are really frustrated by it," said the former Munster man.
The #RTERugby panel of @docallaghan4 @bernardjackman and @jamieheaslip discuss RG Snyman's move from Munster to Leinster pic.twitter.com/lEDPkTkZot
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) December 26, 2023
"Of course, you understand that players have to do what's right for their family, but there comes a point in everyone's decision where you put your career and your money pathway over your reputation, and for me, RG Snyman won't be seen in the same light as Shaun Payne or Trevor Halstead when it comes to Munster greats, in how he's remembered for a move like that."
O'Callaghan also believes that Snyman's move has blocked another opportunity for another up-and-coming Irish second row in the system. This has also added to the frustration, says the Munster man.
"But aside from that, I can't believe it was signed off. To be fair," added O'Callaghan.
"I would now question the structure of the funding model [by the IRFU]. Last week, I watched European Cup rugby. The outstanding [Irish] second row, bar maybe Iain Henderson or Tadhg Beirne, was young Jack Dunne of Exeter. But he's playing in England, and here we are allowing RG Snyman to go up the road to take away game minutes from Irish players. And to be fair,
"I feel it's a contradiction in what we're trying to do. We say that we're trying to develop a pathway for Irish players, and for me, I think that blocks it, and for me, it's quite frustrating."
