When these lads go to war, they leave a lot of casualties
CJ Stander’s numbers, with Munster this season, stack up against the best Number 8’s in the Guinness PRO12 and most Champions Cup sides. They pale in comparison, however, to the man he faces off against at Allianz Park this Saturday – Saracens’ Billy Vunipola.
Both men are arguably their respective club’s best performers since the advent of 2014/15 and, when they are on form, their team invariably flourishes.
We decided to look at the numbers both men have posted in recent months and look ahead to a gargantuan back row battle in North London.
CJ Stander
Born: George, South Africa. Weight: 17st, 13lbs. Height: 6ft 2in
PRO12: In Stander’s last six league matches, on average, he has got his hands on the ball 18 times – passing twice and carrying on 16 occasions. He averages 1.5 turnovers per game, 12 tackles, a defender beaten with ball-in-hand. He has effected only two clean breaks in that time, three offloads and has scored tries against Leinster and Zebre [man-of-the-match both times]. His quietest attacking game was the away loss to Connacht [he was tied up in a defensive effort and made 20 tackles]. One appearance of the six was at openside and another was, against Leinster, at blindside.
CHAMPIONS CUP: Stander was superb in Munster’s opening fixtures as he ran amok against Sale Sharks and was a handful for Saracens at Thomond Park. Clermont soaked up everything Munster, and Stander, could throw at them in Limerick – they made 129 tackles and the forward’s 15 carries gained only 25 metres. He was contained at Stade Michelin and failed to make a meaningful impact as Anthony Foley’s men fell.
Over four games so far, Stander averaged one pass and 15 carries for a gain of 30 metres. He totalled two clean breaks, seven defenders beaten, one offload. In defence he managed three turnovers and averaged six tackles per match.
Billy Vunipola
Born: Sydney, Australia. Weight: 19st, 11lbs. Height: 6ft 1in.
PREMIERSHIP: Lacking the tries Stander has delivered for Munster, in the league, and does not make as many tackles. In every other aspect of the numbers game, though, the 22-year-old shades it. With a large, black crayon. In his last five league outings, he got his hands on the pill 124 times (41 passes, 83 carries) and gained 273 metres. He made two clean breaks, beat 17 defenders on the charge and offloaded 13 times. His tackle average was seven while he turns the ball over for his team once a match.
CHAMPIONS CUP: Consistently high numbers and an increased tackle count – the Sydney native raises his game when it really counts. Averaged 12 carries a game for games of 36 metres. As an attacking weapon, over four games, he had two clean breaks, beat 12 defenders and offloaded in contact six times. He kept his single turnover per game average and landed 38 tackles. He also scored tries, home and away, in victories over Sale:
Stander provides Munster with greater variety in the backline and can cover each of the three back row positions. When his team are on the front-foot and the scrum is going well (or merely ticking over), he provides the attacking spark. The Munster man has raw power – it often takes two men to bring him down – while Vunipola has the edge in pace. Both have scored 70 and 80m tries in the past two seasons so have the lungs and pace to threaten from anywhere.
Vunipola is tougher to defend due to his fondness to offload and the fact that he is not as predictable as the South Africa. Defenders know that, nine times out of 10, Stander will carry the ball into contact. Vunipola, on the other hand, passes once every three possessions. As a defender, you can set yourself for a tackle while doing likewise against the Sarries No.8 is liable to leave you flat-footed.
ADVANTAGE: Saracens
