Stander: Munster are working together

CJ Stander believes Anthony Foley's sudden passing has reunited Munster as a team.

Foley died suddenly in October at the hotel in Paris where Munster were staying prior to their scheduled Champions Cup opener against Racing 92, which was cancelled after the news broke.

While still coming to terms with Foley's death, Munster, under the guidance of Rassie Erasmus and his coaching staff, have won their subsequent five games and Stander feels is passing has helped bring the team together.

"After Axel's death I think we realised that we're here now, we disappointed ourselves last year but we have an opportunity to do something," Stander is quoted as saying in the Irish Independent.

"If it's to play for Axel or if it's playing for yourself or for the management or play for our jersey, that's back. That's something that I think we lacked a bit last year but it's come back.

"It was the worst week and the worst day for everyone when Axel passed away but it's as if he's still around us and he's reunited us as a team.

"Everyone is together whereas before, if you walked in two years ago and you saw an academy guy you might just wave.

"Now we're in the one centre and everyone knows everyone's name and we're all in one changing room. It's a different vibe. It's great to have.

"It was one of the toughest weeks but I could see boys turning into men. It was something a lot of people will never experience again in their lifetime and I think the group learned massively."

Stander has enjoyed some massive highs since making his Ireland debut against Wales earlier this year, but he has also had some moments to forget, including being sent off against his native South Africa in June.

“I would say this last year has also been one of the toughest years of my rugby career with all the stuff that happened,” Stander said as he was crowned Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Player of the Year.

“The South Africa thing, the red card, for me personally it was one of my worst days but the team won and for the first time won in South Africa so there was a bigger picture and it was about the team, not about yourself.

“You can't go into a corner and feel bad for yourself if you're not going to perform the next week (through suspension) you still have to give the boys in green your best training during the week, get out of your shell and work your hardest for the team.

“That's the biggest thing I've learned in the last few years, as long as you hard for the people around you, they'll pick you up, especially in this group and the group down in Munster.

“They're special people, very special people. They're people you can sit down with and talk to them if you have a problem, so it's good."

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