CJ Stander predicts third year will see Anthony Foley’s work reach fruition
Munster yesterday confirmed that former captain Foley’s tenure as head coach would continue into a third year after the Shannon and Ireland stalwart accepted the one-year extension option on the deal he signed when succeeding Rob Penney in the summer of 2014.
It has not been plain sailing for Foley or the province under his watch as Munster have twice failed to exit their Champions Cup pool although they did reach the Guinness Pro12 final last season.
Despite a promising start to this campaign Munster have struggled to cope with the absence of numerous squad leaders with Donncha O’Callaghan and Ireland captain Paul O’Connell departing, the premature retirement of full-back Felix Jones and long-term injury to current skipper Peter O’Mahony.
Their European exit was confirmed as early as round four following home and away defeats to Leicester Tigers and a humiliating loss at Stade Francais while the Pro12 campaign has stuttered to the extent that Foley is in danger of failing to get his side into the top four and end of season play-offs while qualification for next season’s Champions Cup is also on the line.
Yet Ireland flanker Stander, whom Foley appointed to lead Munster in O’Mahony’s absence, believes a third year at helm for the current head coach will see his work come to fruition.
“It’s great to get Axel to sign another year,” Stander said following Ireland training at Carton House yesterday.
“That’s just what we need. We know what we want to do and he’s put a plan together so next year it will hopefully come through.”
Super Rugby head coach Todd Blackadder, out of contract at the Crusaders later this year, has been touted as a leading candidate for the Director of Rugby role while Munster’s double Heineken Cup-winning head coach Declan Kidney, the former Ireland boss, would also be a respected choice.
Stander was not fully up to speed on Munster’s decision to seek a director of rugby, which would move the province in line with Ulster’s current set-up, but he welcomed it as an additional support for Foley next season.
“I think an extra hand can help anyone out so it depends who it is but I’m looking forward to next year,” said Stander.
Munster Rugby confirmed they had begun the search for a Director of Rugby with the aim of the successful candidate being in place for the 2016/17 season.
The appointee would work in a new management structure with the role described by the province as “assuming responsibility for the professional rugby programme and elite player development pathway in the province”.
How that impacts on Foley’s job description or future with the province beyond June 2017 is not immediately clear, particularly as the appointment would come a full two years into his reign.
In yesterday’s Munster Rugby announcement, chief executive Garrett Fitzgerald simply confirmed Foley’s re-appointment and the decision to seek a Director of Rugby having been given the green light by governing body the IRFU.
Munster’s Director of Rugby — leading candidates
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