Jared Payne’s success whets CJ Stander’s appetite for international rugby game

The emergence of IRFU “Project Player” Jared Payne as midfield successor to Brian O’Driscoll has whetted CJ Stander’s appetite to play for Ireland.

Munster’s South African back rower Stander has had limited contact with head coach Joe Schmidt, but he hopes to get to know him better in a little less than 12 months, the time he becomes eligible to play for his adopted country.

“So far, I suppose I haven’t had much contact, but I’m sure when the time comes around, he might start speaking to me.

“I’ll leave it up to him, but, of course for now, the World Cup obviously comes first.”

Stander, looking forward to Saturday’s Guinness Pro12 clash with Connacht at Thomond Park (5.15pm) was enthralled by events on the final day of the Six Nations and delighted to see Ireland emerge as victors.

“In terms of a competition finale, I think Saturday was the best ever, if you ever want to watch rugby then I think you have to go back and watch the day’s events again, then you’ll know what rugby is all about.”

Stander watched the Six Nations at home, part of a day-long festival to include some Super 14 rugby. “It all started for me early in the morning and just kept on going. For the Six Nations I was on the edge of the couch, my wife had to leave for parts of it because I was shouting and roaring at the TV, it is great for the northern hemisphere to see so much running rugby and before the World Cup too, it’s going to be interesting World Cup now for sure.

“I’ve been on to some people back in South Africa and they believe that final day was immense. The people back in South Africa have obviously taken note (title win plus the Irish victory over the Springboks in November) of how much the standards has picked up the last few years and I think Joe Schmidt and the boys are bringing a lot more experience.”

So, from Ireland’s perspective, Stander believes the back-to-back titles will provide considerable inspiration leading into the World Cup but he says it will also do the provinces a power of good in the run-in to the Guinness Pro12. It’s now great to have them come back and bring back that experience (winning culture), it is a boost for all the provinces and I suppose our aim now is to move on to the semis and the final, starting hopefully with a win over Connacht.

“It is such an important match, we lost up there, they will be looking at two in a row and we clearly need to win this, it’s cup rugby. Connacht will be no pushover, they’re playing great rugby, they were unlucky against Cardiff, we lost to Ospreys when we were trying to go head of the table and have worked to rectify the problems we had in that game. Now we want to push on.”

This week there will be no sign of Paul O’Connell, but the Ireland skipper will be back for more business and Stander can’t wait to welcome him.

“He is a legend, (Personally) I idolised him since I was a small boy, he showed it (legendary status) again last weekend. he always leads by example and to grab a try I was delighted for him.”