CJ STANDER HELPED his team sign off on a disappointing season with a very important consolation yesterday.
A convincing 31 – 15 victory over the Scarlets secured a Champions Cup place next season, meaning new Director of Rugby Johan ‘Rassie’ Erasmus will have the big European stage to perform on shortly after taking over.
Sixth place for Munster means the season is over for any player not planning to pull on an Ireland jersey later this summer, time for the captain to reflect on the campaign and what positives the two-time European champions can carry through the upheaval.
“From a development side, people stepping up to the plate across the board, juniors and seniors, everyone stepping up and knowing what is needed from them in a Munster jersey,” said the ever-diligent Ireland international.
“There are new people coming in. That excites me. That will always excite you. None of the boys have really met Rassie so it is going to be great next year when he comes in. He will bring something different so I am looking forward to that.”
Stander doesn’t know Erasmus on a personal level, and although their paths have crossed on a training field, Stander was just one of a number of young stars attempting to make an impression.
The South African back row was on the score-sheet again yesterday, but with Rory Scannell touching down twice, Johnny Holland kicking three conversions and Ronan O’Mahony grabbing a try as a replacement, Stander was quick to highlight the rise of young homegrown talents in the Munster setup this season.
“A lot of the younger boys, the juniors you can call them, have been stepping up to the plate in the last few weeks. It has been a tough time and there has been a lot of pressure, especially on the leaders and this can help us in the future, if we get to semi-finals or finals next year o the year after. There are a lot of learnings out of this season.”
“The conditions were wet, the ball was kept close so there were a lot of big hits, first-up tackles, a lot of big carries. We knew it was going to be that way. I was proud of the boys stepping out today.
“There were a lot of boys who had knocks that didn’t train during the week yet they came out and played the game.”
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
Katie Taylor is an absolute class act, forget the critics, your fans know how great you are Katie. Bring on 2018.
@Brian Gibbons: the BBC has turned into a complete sh*t show! Terrible coverage, analysis, totally bias and as for that sports person of the year awards.. it’s a complete joke…
She got hit a lot. I was surprised too given the other girl was game but basically a novice.
@DuskyTheCat: I can only agree pal. Got hit a hell of a lot. And was hit in previous fights by lesser boxers!
@DuskyTheCat: she got roped into a slug fest when she should have just boxed. To be fair in terms of skill and speed there isnt another woman on the planet anywhere near as good as her. Unfortunately she does sometimes get caught in brawls which there is no need for.
Why can’t she take a bit of critisism? No doubt she is a good fighter but what they were saying seemed right.Might be too used to people saying how great she is, then when she gets a bit of stick can’t seem to handle it.If she came up against someone with real power she could be in serious trouble, she does get hit a lot.Take the critisism on board, (it is constructive) park it, then move on.
Sure Katie could pick and hit all fight but that’s not what gets the average person watching boxing.
From what I can see, Katie is being consciously more confrontational with in her pro boxing career for two reasons. Firstly, because the crowd respond to it and secondly because she knows she can get away with it due to the respective ability of the fighters she’s faced. I’m sure if Katie faced a better boxer she would revert to picking and hitting.
Despite all the money he has made, Mayweather is reviled by the average punter because he picks and hits. He got more credit when he was aggressive against McGregor but only did it because he could. Katie is right to fire back because whatever way she boxes, there’s always going to be someone criticising her.
IMO Katie doesn’t have KO power and should be a defensive fighter. She’d be untouchable a la first two rounds. After that sloppy, footwork and exits need to be better in future.
Rise above it Katie !upwards we go yeah yeah yeah champion
There riddled with the jealousy.
Katie is such a class act an has been for so long, she did get hit alot and to be fair her opponent got in her head, but also remember Katie has fought 8 times in 14 months. That’s amazing, and her opponent tried to make it a street fight, Katie still boxed the head off her, her opponent gave Katie no credit either, I can’t wait to see her fresh again and domanite.