Rassie Erasmus Reveals Just How Good A Player Conor Murray Has Become

Conor Murray for many people is the world’s best scrumhalf right now.

The enigmatic nine has been in tremendous form for both club and country this season, with his province riding high in the Champions Cup and PRO12 and his national side pulling off some huge wins over Australia and New Zealand in November.

Murray has played a key role in the success of Munster and Ireland this season, leading many pundits and fans to brand him the best scrumhalf in World Rugby right now. His boss at Munster, Rassie Erasmus agrees.

Speaking ahead of Munster’s crucial game with Glasgow this weekend, the South African says that Murray is one the best nines in the world and even compared Murray to Springbok legend Fourie du Preez.

“Apart from the normal things that everybody sees, a great pass and a great box-kick, I think he’s a very physical player and I didn’t expect that when I came here,” Erasmus told the Independent.

“Most of those talented guys seem to hold the nice stuff well but he also seems to do the grafting stuff, the tackles, the breakdown ball, carrying and tackling big forwards. The physical side of things definitely impressed me.

“He’s almost always available, either for training sessions or matches … it’s not like he’s picking his matches like some guys I have coached before who were world-class and the best in their position in the world or contenders … they might be minding themselves a little bit more for their provinces.

“On and off the field for us, he’s a leader, and it’s a privilege to coach a guy like him.

“For the last seven or eight months, I haven’t focused on Australian or New Zealand teams, I can only compare Conor with guys I have coached before like Fourie du Preez and those kind of players and I think he’ll be right up there with them.

“For sheer potential and commitment and professionalism and size and speed and courage, I think he is right at his prime.”