CJ STANDER’S OUTSTANDING debut season in an Ireland jersey has been recognised by his fellow players after he was voted the IRUPA Players’ Player of the Year for 2016.
The Munster forward collected the award at the 14th annual awards ceremony, which was staged this evening in Dublin.
Stander has been a shining light during an otherwise disappointing season for the southern province while he made a major impression on the international stage for his adopted country.
The 26-year-old made his Ireland debut against Wales in the Six Nations and marked the occasion with a man of the match performance. He continued his rich vein of form throughout the championship and scored his first try against Italy.
“I’m delighted to win this award,” Stander said. “Receiving recognition from my fellow peers is the ultimate accolade. I will remember this season fondly, from winning my first cap, to scoring my first international try and ultimately winning this award.”
Stander also received the Supporters’ Player of the Year award.
Meanwhile, Josh van der Flier was crowned the Nevin Spence Young Player of the Year after a stellar season for both Leinster and Ireland.
The young flanker enjoyed a meteoric rise during the 2015/16 campaign as he established himself in Leo Cullen’s side and then made his international debut at Twickenham.
Ronan O’Gara was inducted in the IRUPA Hall of Fame, Jamie Heaslip won Try of the Year for his effort against Italy while Sene Naoupu was recognised as the Women’s Player of the Year.
Award winners:
- IRUPA Players’ Player of the Year: CJ Stander (Munster)
- Nevin Spence Young Player of the Year: Josh van der Flier (Leinster)
- Try of the Year: Jamie Heaslip (Ireland v Italy, Six Nations)
- Vodafone Medal for Excellence: Isaac Boss (Leinster)
- Hall of Fame 2016: Ronan O’Gara
- Supporters’ Player of the Year: CJ Stander (Munster)
- Powerscourt Hotel and Spa Moment of the Year: Connacht’s victory at Thomond Park
- Women’s Fifteens Player of the Year: Sene Naoupu
- Women’s Sevens Player of the Year: Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe
- Zurich Contribution to Irish Society: Niall Breslin.
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Well deserved. Brilliant season Brilliant player
Well deserved CJ. After a tough game against Edinburgh CJ took time to come to Limerick’s Milk Market on Saturday morning to help sell Munster Charity photos. Shows what a man he is.
What makes that headline even better is the fact that they’re both young players who only made their international debuts this year and still have the bulk of their careers ahead of them. Great for the future. Many congratulations to the both of them.
He has been the strongest light for Munster and Ireland this year. Richly deserved
Well done CJ. Worthy winner.
Well done cj , we are very lucky to have you ! Also vdf who had a super breakthru year
Congrats to cj and josh..outstanding effort by both..congrats to to all the other winners..
The Vodafone medal for excellence for Isaac Boss?????? Kind of sums up end of season awards. He must have won that for being the only one to answer the phone the day before the Argentinian game to join the squad
I thought Jon Muldoon would have won that. He has had a great season and has shown a new skillset with his offloading game this season that he didn’t have before.
To be fair the only other player who was better than CJ this year was Bundee Aki.
Agreed but aki has yet to perform on the international stage
Next year;)
Don’t get me wrong CJ is a great player and yes I know tons of red thumbs are cascading down on me but he only came in for the six nations there are other players like Jack McGrath who’ve been there for the whole international calendar year
Ya Ollie that will just show you how good he is ,
In fairness it was always going to be a toss up between CJ and McGrath for me anyway, I’d still be a happy man if Jack won it. Hard luck to him anyway because he also played magnificently.
But i think what won it for CJ was that even with the reputation he had and all the attention he was getting coming into the championship, he still managed to perform brilliantly and showed everyone why Munster supporters cherish him.
He proved that he could perform at international level when there were doubters all over the place saying that he was only a pro 12 player, and what better way to announce himself onto the world stage than winning a MOTM performance on his debut.
Better get used to it because with Erasmus coming there are going to be more project players.
Christian , what makes you say that ?
Hope so C. A lot of Spanish or Portuguese have seen the game through the scheme. It ant be bad.
Jack McGrath done a fantastic job this season no doubt but anyone who thinks CJ didn’t deserve this is wrong.
Erasmus will sign project players because of the access he had to them in his previous role and the new political issues surrounding the selections of springboks.
I think youre right on this occasion
Well done Amee leigh. Up Tipp
No complaints about those winners, well deserved. CJ has been an absolute beacon for Munster even in the mediocrity of their season. Flier has been consistency personified.
Ah yes, the Irish obsession with no-skill ball carriers continues apace
Rafter shut up
Totes ledge