“It’s going to be one hell of an event” | Oli Jager speaks as Pinergy unveiled as presenting partner for unique Munster Crusaders clash

The highly anticipated clash will see Munster bid to overcome seven-in-a-row Super Rugby Champions Crusaders.

Pinergy have been unveiled as the official presenting partner for the unique clash of Munster Rugby and Crusaders at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork on Saturday, February 3^rd 2024, with ambassador Oli Jager speaking ahead of facing his former side.

The highly anticipated clash will see Munster bid to overcome seven-in-a-row Super Rugby Champions Crusaders for the first-ever meeting between the reigning champions of Super Rugby and the United Rugby Championship.

All eyes now lay firmly on Munster with the province having delivered a multitude of inspirational wins over the All Blacks (1978) and Australia (1992, 2010) along with last season’s memorable victory, which saw Munster overcome South Africa A in front of 41,400 supporters.

Jager joined Munster from Crusaders this year, with the 28-year-old admitting that “homesickness finally caught up,” saying that “it’s good to be home”.

“It definitely happened a lot quicker than we thought it would. I just had an opportunity to start earlier than I was meant to, I thought why not, just get on the plane, it’s good to be home”.

“The reasons I came home were mainly family orientated. That homesickness finally caught up. To be part of this team, to see what they did in the URC last year, I want to be part of that”.

“It’s going to be weird, I never played for anybody else. Crusaders will always have a place in my heart. To play against them will be a pretty cool feeling, it’s going to be one hell of an event, one hell of an atmosphere”.

The prop is following return to play protocols after suffering a head injury, and is hungry to get back in amongst what is a confident Munster camp at the moment.

Graham Rowntree’s side picked up a huge win away in Toulon last week, and Jager says that the result has given the Red Army confidence.

“After last week’s game it’s definitely given us confidence that we can put out performances like that. Everybody who’s next to step in is ready for the job and ready to do what they need to do. It’s exciting to see what we can do”.

While his current ambition is to get back on the pitch, Jager says he wants to win trophies, with the URC and Champions Cup firmly in his sights this season.

The prop also revealed his ambition to represent Ireland, and he has since been named part of Andy Farrell’s Guinness Men’s Six Nations training squad.

“First of all to get back on the field, after an injury the first thing I think is how quick can I get back? Short term – win trophies. We have a goal for the URC, we have a goal for the Champions Cup. All things going well, I’d love to play for Ireland. At the moment it’s one game at a time and you build into the next week and go from there. As long as I give it my best I know I’ve tried everything I can”.

The former Crusaders man admitted it would be “weird” to face his old side, but is relishing to opportunity, saying he will probably play “a little harder”.

“I always find that when you play your mates you tend to go a little harder. I think it will be quite fun, quite easy to play against them. I’ll be playing my mates trying to look out for who’s going to take my legs”.

Munster Rugby versus Crusaders sponsored by Pinergy will be broadcast live on TG4 on Saturday, February 3rd, with coverage starting from 4.30pm.

For more updates on Pinergy and their support of Munster Rugby, you can visit their social pages.