Four minutes into the game and CJ Stander already had five bruising ball carries. He’s some man for one man.
There was some concern ahead of this evening’s match between Ireland and Australia that Stander might be less than 100% after only playing a bit-part in midweek preparations.
Stander may have only featured in one proper session this week – Friday’s sauntering Captain’s Run – but he showed no signs of rustiness in the first half. He was a brute, plain and simple, and was a big part in Ireland’s 27-24 win.
He was Ireland’s go-to guy in the first 20 minutes, when Ireland had 80% possession and 92% territory and a mere 3-0 lead. Five big carries from Stander set a relentless tone that rarely let up.
Stander was the man charged with getting Ireland over the gainline and he did just that, one inch at a time. The Aussies put Dean Mumm and Michael Hooper on the look-out for Stander but he was an absolute handful.
Amid it all, there was one superb Stander take in the lineout and a take on the left sideline he had no business of holding onto. When Australia finally fired back, who was there to make the big hits? That man Stander.
He secured one vital turnover and made a hit on Tevita Kurindrani that will have his bones shuddering for days to come.
Stander finished the game with 17 carries, albeit for marginal gains, eight tackles, a couple of turnovers and one huge pick and drive that won Ireland a penalty near the death when they were under immense pressure:
CJ Stander, ya little beauty!!
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) November 26, 2016
Irish fans watching the Munster blindside were quite simply in awe.
https://twitter.com/croninjonathan/status/802576226212790273
Cj stander is a machine
— leah 🇮🇪🇵🇸 (@natesdrake_) November 26, 2016
What a great try, Ireland's backs on fire today !! CJ Stander and JVF in beast mode #IREvAUS
— Jackie Healy-Rae (@Jackie_HealyRae) November 26, 2016
Love Ireland's intent already in this game. CJ Stander has an insatiable appetite to carry/tackle. Surely a Lions contender! #irevaus
— Alex Burns (@burnseygc11) November 26, 2016
As always @CJStander does us proud and we are only in the game 2 mins. South African by birth but Irish by the grace of God #IRLvAUS ☘
— Fiona Ni Mhadigaín (@MsButcherLimk) November 26, 2016
And there was much, much more.
Dick Clerkin makes his GAA Hour debut to talk about a wonderful career and argue passionately with Colm Parkinson over Sky Sports GAA. Subscribe here on iTunes.
