It is unusual to see CJ Stander’s form being questioned but it was only because people know how vital he is for Munster and Ireland’s cause.
Watch a game involving Stander and you will often see him pile up some outrageous statistics, often hitting 10+ tackles and carries in the first half alone and powering on from there.
Such was his impact upon making his Ireland debut that Joe Schmidt accommodated him at blindside flanker, often at the expense of Peter O’Mahony. That’s how good he was, and is.
He had another fine Six Nations but damaged his ankle in a Champions Cup quarter final win over Toulouse. There were too many big games ahead to rest up so Stander ploughed on through the end of Munster’s season and played his way onto the Lions bench for the final two games of the Test Series in New Zealand.
Still, he was lacking that spark he has long been associated with.
Coming into the November internationals, Stander was being lined up for the Ireland No.8 jersey but there was serious competition from the in-form Jack Conan. On The Hard Yards, previewing Ireland’s opener against South Africa, I commented:
“I’d love to see CJ Stander have at least one big game, against South Africa or Argentina. It would be perfect if he did it this weekend. There’s that No.8 jersey almost up for grabs, even for the entire season…
“Stander has been good this year and he’s trying to change little things in his game – not carry into contact as much, improve his passing game – but you’d love to see him back to the guy that can make this massive impact again.”
That impact arrived at the Aviva Stadium this evening and, by God, it was beautiful to see.
Stander was the CJ of old as he ripped off the back of scrums, pumped his legs and burst into Springbok bodies. Rarely on one of his 14 carries did the Munster man fail to get over the gainline or, if a mere inch was won, drag in two or three bodies to soften his cough.
Bundee Aki [17] topped the tackle count but Stander was not far behind, on 13. At one stage, he came into contact with Pieter Steph du Toit and send him back three metres before feeding him some Dublin grass. And then there was that turnover when he stole the ball off Siya Kolisi and was never letting go. It came as the visitors threatened a big score and it got a thunderous reaction.
And, not for the first time and certainly not for the last, Stander put in an 80+ minute shift.
He looked the leanest and meanest that he has for over six months and his work-rate rarely faltered. Following the 38-3 victory, Ireland coach Joe Schmidt said:
“He was impressive on both sides of the ball. CJ got onto the [breakdown] ball pretty well a couple of times. He couldn’t always stay on it but he got some good ones. And he carried with that [intent].
“It was a bit of a return to form for CJ Stander. He’s been a bit quiet so far this season, but he really ramped up his energy today. He showed some pretty good footwork when carrying.”
You could tell how much respect the South Africans have for Stander in the way they addressed him at the final whistle. There were back slaps and cheeks puffed out as the Boks spoke to the Western Cape native, with RTE interviewing man-of-the-match Johnny Sexton mere metres away.
Conan may get his chance against Fiji but Stander has one firm grasp on that No.8 jersey.
It will take something special to shift him but, as the Springboks discovered, that is no easy feat.
Welcome back CJ Stander.
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