CJ Stander has changed his attitude regarding the claims that he’s too small for the back row.
Stander left his native South Africa to join Munster in 2012 after being told that he would not have been able to be a Springbok because he wasn’t big enough for the back row.
In 2016, Stander broke into the Irish team for the Six Nations and although the tournament was disappointing for the team as a whole, he was one of the bright sparks for Ireland.
Stander admitted that he initially felt he had something to prove to those who doubted him, but he has since adopted a new attitude.
“Well in the beginning I would say I wanted to prove a point to the people who had said that to me, but for now I’ve just changed my direction because if you play just to prove someone else wrong, then you’re going to have to look at yourself if you prove that.”
“So for now I’m just trying to play my own game, bring an energy and physicality to the team that I can bring.”
If anyone ever doubts his own physicality in his position, Stander has some words of warning for them.
“And if there’s a question about my size then I’ll step up and show someone my size and power by running hard and straight at them.”
