THESE ARE NEW surroundings for CJ Stander and it wasn’t difficult to tell.
In the cavernous ballroom of the Pullman Hotel in Auckland, where the Lions held their team-naming press conference on Monday, the Munster number eight wasn’t quite his usual self.
Stander spoke in Auckland today. Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
When Stander speaks in Limerick, his home, he is understandably comfortable and in control, but with Lions gear on the number eight is still getting used to a new beat.
He was still faultlessly polite and engaged – that seems unlikely to ever change – but one feels that Stander will be thrilled just to get his chance to make an impression on the pitch for the Lions on Wednesday night against the Blues at Eden Park [KO 8.35am Irish time, Sky Sports].
Enough talking, Stander wants to get down to business.
Having watched Taulupe Faletau make an impact against the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians on Saturday, it is now Stander’s turn to make a play for the number eight shirt vacated by Billy Vunipola’s withdrawal from the tour of New Zealand.
As ever, Stander will do his talking on the pitch.
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“It’s something that you’ve worked towards,” says Stander when asked what representing the Lions means to him. “I think the passion the boys had in the jersey before, and the four nations coming together, and working towards one goal, to win a series, through a lot of hard work.
“Just be part of a squad based out of those four nations, it means that you worked hard to get there. Your job is not done yet, but you’re part of it.”
“I think we’re a group that has a lot of talent, and a lot of guys who have x-factor, so I’m looking forward to playing alongside that and just getting to know the lads. I put it down to the passion the boys have for the jersey and the excitement everyone has when they get selected.
Stander's most recent game was in the Pro12 final. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
“It’s like I feel like a kid again. When you get selected for that first team you can almost believe that you’re there, so I’m really looking forward to going out on Wednesday.”
Stander’s earliest and strongest memory of watching the Lions was in Pretoria in 2009, when he was a 19-year-old dreaming of playing for the Springboks. The Lions were far from his thoughts then, but his move to Munster in 2012 saw that change.
The number eight says it was probably a year ago that he first thought he could genuinely play for the Lions and he is deeply excited about getting his shot against the Blues.
Stander was eager to get stuck into touring life before his departure for New Zealand, and life with the Lions hasn’t disappointed him.
It’s been great,” said Stander. “We did a community thing on Friday and it was good to get out to see different cultures and different people and see a different part outside of rugby.
“That was good and we were three boys together so we were with someone different who you don’t really spend time with during the week and that was quite nice.
“It’s quite nice to learn the different personalities in the team and see different people mix together and spend time together.”
Stander’s most recent outing was in Munster’s Guinness Pro12 final defeat to the Scarlets, a deeply disappointing occasion for the province as their positive season ended in disastrous fashion against the brilliant Scarlets.
Stander is ready to start at number eight. Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
But heading away with the Lions immediately after that final defeat helped Stander overcome the regrets swiftly.
“We got together the Sunday after, straight away, so there wasn’t time for hanging around and that made it a bit easier,” says Stander.
“I was in a car with all the Scarlets boys to the airport and on the plane and down to the hotel and so it made it quite nice. There were talking about the win!.
“I think when we get together Sunday, it would make it easier because everyone has different stories. Now you’re in something different that you haven’t been part of and you have to get your role set in the game. It made life easier.”
Stander is excited to link up with the “physical” James Haskell and breakdown magician Justin Tipuric on Wednesday, and he recognises that this could be his only real shot at convincing Gatland of his merits to start a Test.
“Gats has made it quite clear that when you get a start you’re going to have to use it,” said Stander. “So, I think you’ve got one opportunity really to go out there and play your game, to step up and show what you have for those last three games, because those are the important ones.
“All of them are important, but you want to start in those games.”
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'I feel like a kid again' - Stander excited to take Lions chance at 8
Murray Kinsella reports from Auckland
THESE ARE NEW surroundings for CJ Stander and it wasn’t difficult to tell.
In the cavernous ballroom of the Pullman Hotel in Auckland, where the Lions held their team-naming press conference on Monday, the Munster number eight wasn’t quite his usual self.
When Stander speaks in Limerick, his home, he is understandably comfortable and in control, but with Lions gear on the number eight is still getting used to a new beat.
He was still faultlessly polite and engaged – that seems unlikely to ever change – but one feels that Stander will be thrilled just to get his chance to make an impression on the pitch for the Lions on Wednesday night against the Blues at Eden Park [KO 8.35am Irish time, Sky Sports].
Enough talking, Stander wants to get down to business.
Having watched Taulupe Faletau make an impact against the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians on Saturday, it is now Stander’s turn to make a play for the number eight shirt vacated by Billy Vunipola’s withdrawal from the tour of New Zealand.
As ever, Stander will do his talking on the pitch.
“It’s something that you’ve worked towards,” says Stander when asked what representing the Lions means to him. “I think the passion the boys had in the jersey before, and the four nations coming together, and working towards one goal, to win a series, through a lot of hard work.
“Just be part of a squad based out of those four nations, it means that you worked hard to get there. Your job is not done yet, but you’re part of it.”
“I think we’re a group that has a lot of talent, and a lot of guys who have x-factor, so I’m looking forward to playing alongside that and just getting to know the lads. I put it down to the passion the boys have for the jersey and the excitement everyone has when they get selected.
“It’s like I feel like a kid again. When you get selected for that first team you can almost believe that you’re there, so I’m really looking forward to going out on Wednesday.”
Stander’s earliest and strongest memory of watching the Lions was in Pretoria in 2009, when he was a 19-year-old dreaming of playing for the Springboks. The Lions were far from his thoughts then, but his move to Munster in 2012 saw that change.
The number eight says it was probably a year ago that he first thought he could genuinely play for the Lions and he is deeply excited about getting his shot against the Blues.
Stander was eager to get stuck into touring life before his departure for New Zealand, and life with the Lions hasn’t disappointed him.
“That was good and we were three boys together so we were with someone different who you don’t really spend time with during the week and that was quite nice.
“It’s quite nice to learn the different personalities in the team and see different people mix together and spend time together.”
Stander’s most recent outing was in Munster’s Guinness Pro12 final defeat to the Scarlets, a deeply disappointing occasion for the province as their positive season ended in disastrous fashion against the brilliant Scarlets.
But heading away with the Lions immediately after that final defeat helped Stander overcome the regrets swiftly.
“We got together the Sunday after, straight away, so there wasn’t time for hanging around and that made it a bit easier,” says Stander.
“I was in a car with all the Scarlets boys to the airport and on the plane and down to the hotel and so it made it quite nice. There were talking about the win!.
“I think when we get together Sunday, it would make it easier because everyone has different stories. Now you’re in something different that you haven’t been part of and you have to get your role set in the game. It made life easier.”
Stander is excited to link up with the “physical” James Haskell and breakdown magician Justin Tipuric on Wednesday, and he recognises that this could be his only real shot at convincing Gatland of his merits to start a Test.
“Gats has made it quite clear that when you get a start you’re going to have to use it,” said Stander. “So, I think you’ve got one opportunity really to go out there and play your game, to step up and show what you have for those last three games, because those are the important ones.
“All of them are important, but you want to start in those games.”
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CJ Stander CJ's World Justin Tipuric lions 2017 Ronan O'Mahony Simon Zebo