Pure commitment.
It’s what has endeared him to a nation all too eager for a new rugby hero – from his full-blooded attitude on the field to his hearty rendition of Amhrán na bhFiann, CJ Stander has already taken the all-important steps towards cult status in his adopted nation.
Now Munster team-mate Keith Earls has revealed that it isn’t just fans in the stands and at home who are impressed with the South African-born back-row’s rapid assimilation into the Ireland set-up.
Having fulfilled his three-year residency requirement, Stander made his international debut against Wales and featured in all five Six Nations games, standing out as one of Ireland’s players of the tournament, and Earls told the Irish Independent that the 25-year-old’s dedication to the cause has already made a mark in the Irish dressing room.
Earls said: “You’d swear he was born and raised in Limerick now, he loves the place and he’s really passionate about Munster and extremely passionate about playing for Ireland.
“He was in tears in the huddle and that motivates you to show what it means — when you see the reaction for another man to come in from another country to put on our jersey.
“He’s just a passionate man, he puts himself on the line 100 per cent, no matter what he’s going to do. He’s delighted with the way Irish people have taken to him and he wants to repay them.”
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