The stand-in captain is getting increasingly accustomed to doing so in defeat. Munster’s humiliating European exit at the hands of Stade Français last night signalled their sixth loss in seven games.
Stander looked close to tears after Munster's defeat. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
While the province can cite a fine run of form in the Pro12 earlier this season, the truth is that when the pressure has come on in the big games, they have crumbled.
Stander was culpable of a missed tackle on the astoundingly-talented Sekou Macalou for the French flanker’s wondrous try in Stade Jean-Bouin, but his overall performance was strong once again.
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He made almost 20 carries in eating up over 90 metres with ball in hand, a feat that has become the norm, while his breakdown work was excellent. He has graduated into the Ireland set-up recently, but none of his individual feats will quench the disappointment of another European exit.
“We made a lot of mistakes, a lot of missed tackles and we didn’t take advantage when they got the red card,” was Stander’s succinct take on the Stade defeat immediately afterwards.
Indeed, Munster’s failure to impose themselves on a 14-man home team after Josaia Raisuqe’s red card just before the half-time break was damning. Rather than proving an advantage for the visitors, it sent them into their shells.
It’s just down to actions,” said Stander of Munster’s failure to capitalise. “Talk is cheap, you need to show actions. In some phases of the game we did, but that’s not enough. They just kept capitalising on the mistakes we made.”
Munster’s squad is not of the quality that won two Heineken Cups, meaning that injuries to starters are always felt heavily. Andrew Conway, BJ Botha and Tommy O’Donnell were all replaced in the first half, the loss of the openside flanker being particularly damaging.
Stander acknowledged those blows, but refused to dwell on it as the losing of the game.
“The subs that came on made an impact, but still those injuries were some leaders in the group. Losing them was a big part of the game and I reckon it gave Stade an easy in, it cranked our physicality a bit. It was tough, but that’s how it is.”
Stander made some big carries and turnovers for Munster. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
The post-mortem around Munster will be extensive as they attempt to turn their decline around, although Stander and his teammates will have to remain focused on upcoming fixtures rather than solving those issues themselves.
Stade travel to Thomond Park next weekend for a game that Stander feels Munster must win to restore some of the pride lost in Paris.
“We’re out of the competition and it’s tough, for the second year in a row, and we need to look deep, look at what’s wrong, and also pitch up.
We have a game next week and you can’t let the supporters down. It’s important now to get momentum going into the Pro12, use these games because you can’t win anything [in Europe].
“It’s a dead rubber, but we have to front up. You can’t disappoint yourself again next weekend. It’s going to be tough to get up but it’s something we can do. We know we need to get that momentum for the Pro12. We need to go out and score points, because we can’t do that at the moment.
“You need to use the game to show the supporters and coaches that we have pride for the jersey. No player, no one in that team room wants to come out and lose a match. We can win the supporters back over hopefully.”
'Talk is cheap, you need to show actions' - Munster captain Stander
AS EVER, CJ Stander led the charge for Munster.
The stand-in captain is getting increasingly accustomed to doing so in defeat. Munster’s humiliating European exit at the hands of Stade Français last night signalled their sixth loss in seven games.
While the province can cite a fine run of form in the Pro12 earlier this season, the truth is that when the pressure has come on in the big games, they have crumbled.
Stander was culpable of a missed tackle on the astoundingly-talented Sekou Macalou for the French flanker’s wondrous try in Stade Jean-Bouin, but his overall performance was strong once again.
He made almost 20 carries in eating up over 90 metres with ball in hand, a feat that has become the norm, while his breakdown work was excellent. He has graduated into the Ireland set-up recently, but none of his individual feats will quench the disappointment of another European exit.
“We made a lot of mistakes, a lot of missed tackles and we didn’t take advantage when they got the red card,” was Stander’s succinct take on the Stade defeat immediately afterwards.
Indeed, Munster’s failure to impose themselves on a 14-man home team after Josaia Raisuqe’s red card just before the half-time break was damning. Rather than proving an advantage for the visitors, it sent them into their shells.
Munster’s squad is not of the quality that won two Heineken Cups, meaning that injuries to starters are always felt heavily. Andrew Conway, BJ Botha and Tommy O’Donnell were all replaced in the first half, the loss of the openside flanker being particularly damaging.
Stander acknowledged those blows, but refused to dwell on it as the losing of the game.
“The subs that came on made an impact, but still those injuries were some leaders in the group. Losing them was a big part of the game and I reckon it gave Stade an easy in, it cranked our physicality a bit. It was tough, but that’s how it is.”
The post-mortem around Munster will be extensive as they attempt to turn their decline around, although Stander and his teammates will have to remain focused on upcoming fixtures rather than solving those issues themselves.
Stade travel to Thomond Park next weekend for a game that Stander feels Munster must win to restore some of the pride lost in Paris.
“We’re out of the competition and it’s tough, for the second year in a row, and we need to look deep, look at what’s wrong, and also pitch up.
“It’s a dead rubber, but we have to front up. You can’t disappoint yourself again next weekend. It’s going to be tough to get up but it’s something we can do. We know we need to get that momentum for the Pro12. We need to go out and score points, because we can’t do that at the moment.
“You need to use the game to show the supporters and coaches that we have pride for the jersey. No player, no one in that team room wants to come out and lose a match. We can win the supporters back over hopefully.”
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Captain CJ Stander Lost Pride Munster Stade Français