CJ Stander is a country boy who is usually determined to show the big city boys he is unfazed by the tall buildings and rapid pace of life.
Chicago is different. Chicago has impressed the hell out of him.
“I left the hotel on Tuesday morning and went for a walk,” he tells SportsJOE. “I was in awe of the place.”
Stander has impressed the hell out of the Irish coaches since making his Test debut against Wales earlier this year. He survived a red card in the first Test against South Africa, and the weeks’ ban that followed, to start in the deciding Test against the Boks.
Peter O’Mahony and Sean O’Brien are now back and eager to get back into the Irish back row but Joe Schmidt has expressed his faith in Jordi Murphy and Stander, the man from the Western Cape. Stander comments:
“Jordi carries the ball well. I think there is a good mix with him, me and Jamie Heaslip. Jordi normally frees up ball for me and Jamie and we play off that.
“When Jordi trains, he trains hard but he brings a great calmness to the back row. He knows what he has to do.”
Stander is into his fourth season in Ireland now and he is exactly where he wants to be – preparing to take on the very best in the world.
“The team we are playing against and the city we are in, everyone is excited about it,” he says. “We can’t wait to get on the pitch.”
Asked how Ireland can live with the All Blacks when they put the hammer down, Stander says:
“You have to go up another gear yourself. We’ve had the opportunity to see how they’ve gone in The Rugby Championship. Teams start well against them but they just dip in the last 20. That is where the All Blacks score their tries.
“We have to kick it up another gear and our bench has to come on and really be on their game.
“It’s worth saying we have to play 90 minutes because we really have to.”
One aspect of recent days and weeks that has been remarkable, and bodes well for Ireland’s chances, is the spirit and togetherness shown in the wake of Anthony Foley’s death. Stander has been touched by the kind words and lovely tributes paid by guys that usually can’t wait to beat Munster out on the pitch.
Irish blindside @CJStander on the kind words all the @Munsterrugby players received from provincial rivals over the last few days pic.twitter.com/v3p6ThtefU
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) November 3, 2016
This country has been through a lot in the past month and Stander can speak to just how well the Munster players have coped with an emotional tumult.
The All Blacks got their Foley tribute in today. They will not be as respectful come kick off on Saturday.
There is a game to be won. They understand that. Stander understands too.
He’s ready.
Colm O’Rourke and Pauric Mahony join Colm Parkinson on a packed GAA Hour that includes Dick Clerkin appreciation and Sean Cavanagh envy. Subscribe here on iTunes.
