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Saffa Muscle

CJ Stander ready to show his starting credentials for Munster

The South African back row looks set for his first Munster start. Here’s what he should add to the team.

IS THIS THE start of something special at Munster? Amid the hype and expectation, CJ Stander is set to make what will be just his fifth start for the province since arriving in 2012.

The 23-year-old is almost certain to be included in Munster’s starting XV for the first time in the Heineken Cup as Rob Penney looks to shake things up after last weekend’s poor display in Edinburgh.

The curious case of CJ Stander and the Kiwi coach. There has been almost unanimous agreement from the Munster faithful that the dynamic back row should be a first-choice selection for Munster’s biggest games, but Penney has clearly disagreed with the consensus up until now. Having been left on the bench for the Leinster game, Stander was also a substitute at Murrayfield last weekend.

Following the sloppy display in the Heineken Cup opener, and after an unfortunate injury for Paddy Butler, it seems as though Penney has run out of reasons not to start Stander. It’s all well and good using him as a second-half replacement, but Munster are currently not in the position of enjoying superiority for 50 minutes before using their bench. They need their best players on the pitch for the beginning of the game.

Stander’s main strength is a freakish physique which balances pace and power to a fine degree. In typically South African fashion, the former Blue Bulls man has packed on the weight since arriving at Munster and now tips the scales at around 115kg. That hasn’t taken away from his speed though, and if he is given space, Stander will punish Gloucester.

Stander’s ball carrying ability is best used in wide channels, and if he starts, Munster should look to find him in those areas. While he is also effective in close to the fringes of rucks, the ex-South Africa U20 captain is at his best when given that little bit more space and time to use his acceleration and fend to beat defenders.

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©INPHO/James Crombie.

Stander and his wife Jean Marie Neethling, a Rio 2016 hopeful in swimming, have taken to life in Ireland with remarkable ease and all the signs are that they would be happy to remain in the country beyond the back row’s original contract. Indeed, this week the back row went as far as to say he can see himself remaining in Ireland for the rest of his career.

Last year when I came here, in my second game I started [v Glasgow]. There was full stands and I think, for me, playing at Thomond Park it doesn’t matter if it’s on the bench or starting. A  full Thomond Park is a great place to play. It gives any player goosebumps and that’s where I want to play for the rest of my life hopefully.”

Quite the pronouncement of loyalty from Stander, and while we have heard these undying, rooftop-launched professions of love for a rugby club before, it does appear to be genuine in this case. Having clearly bought into the ethos at Munster, it is now time for Stander to show Penney that he cannot continue to leave him on the bench.

Yes, it is possible that Stander won’t match the hype on Saturday against Gloucester, and that it may take a run of games to see him hit best form, but Munster have a special athlete in their possession. Penney needs to find a way to allow Stander to start fulfilling his potential, even if it goes against a feeling that he needs to ease the talented South African into his first-choice selection.

This is a man who captained his country at U20 level, who was tipped to become a Springbok and who started 11 Super Rugby games for the Bulls in 2012, scoring four tries. He is not an unproven, undeveloped young homegrown player. Munster went out and recruited Stander to a chorus of surprise in his homeland. Now it is time for them to start reaping the rewards of that ambition.

Having bided his time on the bench, Stander is ready to launch his Munster career for real.

Audio courtesy of Aoife Danagher.

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