Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
HE’S LOVIN’ IT
Incredible rise & rise of Ronan Michael who has gone from working in Mcdonald’s to a contender for Ireland’s World Cup squad
RONAN MICHAEL’S formative rugby league career has been remarkable.
From pulling a sickie at Mcdonald’s so he could trial for Ireland Under-17s before playing a competitive game, to spending time at NRL club Canberra and making his Super League debut, the Balbrigganborn forward has had a unique journey.
Now he wants to build on last year’s Huddersfield bow and secure a World Cup place for Ireland.
Michael could never have imagined what would unfold when he arrived at what he thought was his first rugby league training session, but turned out to be a trial for the national juniors side.
He made enough of an impression to represent Ireland before he had played a club match, paid his own flight to earn a contract at the Giants, and then ended up at one of Australia’s top clubs.
“It’s been a bit of a mad one and sometimes it seems a bit surreal what’s happened to me,” explained Michael, 20.
“I’ve managed to fit a lot in over a short period of time.
“It’s a huge year for me now and I’m hoping to put my best foot forward and play in the World Cup.”
Skipping his fast-food shift to try to impress the Ireland selectors turned out to be the ultimate twist of fate, leading to one observer setting up his move to Huddersfield.
Michael did enough to earn an academy contract, was then picked for the senior Ireland side, and when the Giants had an opportunity for a talented youngster to spend a season at Canberra Raiders, he was selected again. “Sometimes I ask myself how I ended up there, it was mind-blowing they chose me,” he said.
Michael’s stay was cut short by the global pandemic – the club helped him get one of the last flights out of Australia via Canada – and with no academy rugby last year he ended up cleaning windows and gutters (below) back in Ireland.
When Huddersfield suffered an injury crisis he was handed his Super League debut at just 19, the first nativeirishman to play in the division since Brian
Carney over a decade before.
And on
Sunday he featured in the friendly against
Leeds Rhinos.
STEPHEN FERRIS claims CJ Stander’s exit will not damage his adopted country’s World Cup hopes.
Stander will make his 51st and final appearance in green this Saturday against England, having dropped the bombshell on Tuesday that he is retiring at the end of the season.
Ferris is envious that his fellow back rower has called time on his playing career on his own terms.
The former Ulster star made his final Ireland appearances in 2012, the year that Stander arrived at Munster from the Bulls.
“I wrecked myself when I was 26 and hung my boots up 18 months later, injury drove me out,” said Ferris. “I would have loved to have gone on but could barely walk. You have to give him a bit of credit that he doesn’t want to fizzle out and everyone forgets about him.
“Hopefully Ireland get a good win on Saturday and goodness knows what will happen over the last couple of months of his career.”
There are plenty of critics of the residency rule that allowed South African-born Stander to play for Ireland in the first place.
But Lisburn man Ferris, now 35, says it is not the player’s fault that he was in position to take advantage of it.
“CJ’S honesty has been reflected over the last number of years in responding to criticism he has received regarding his status as a residency player,” 35-times capped Ferris said.
“But he has never, ever shied away from the fact that he is a South African and was always going to return there. In his time playing for Ireland he counted himself as an Irishman.
“Everyone wants to see 23 Irish born and bred players playing for Ireland.
“That might be a decade away. I can’t see many coming over when it goes to five years, which is the reason why they’re extending it. But teams across the world are using the residency rule or the grandparents rule.
“CJ ticked all of the boxes regarding residency and didn’t leave after three years. He’s been a tremendous servant and to be criticised for being a project player, that was unfair.
“So fair play to him, it has been a brilliant career that’s ending maybe two years earlier than I expected.”
Stander’s departure deprives Andy Farrell of a hugely experienced leader, two and a half years out from France 2023. But he would be 33 by then and Ferris is encouraged by the quality of the back row depth.
“CJ comes across as someone who would have held on for two more years if the depth wasn’t there,” said Ferris.
“I think he would have discussed with his wife about staying on if Ireland were struggling for No.8s, until a couple of guys came through.
“He said it was time to hand over to the younger guys – Jack Conan, Max Deegan, Caelan Doris, Gavin Coombes – they’ll be thanking him for making his decision.
“They’ll obviously see this as an opportunity now. Ireland are well stocked there, they’re not going to be worse off now. It’s good to see those younger guys coming
through.”