Bowing out in style: Stander departs with Ireland back on song
IRELAND’S triumphant players serenaded the retiring CJ Stander with a Tina Turner classic after he helped dismantle England on his Guinness Six Nations send-off.
South Africa-born Stander stunned the rugby world last Tuesday by announcing plans to hang up his boots in the summer.
The 30-year-old stylishly capped a fine 51-Test career for his adopted country with Saturday’s rampant 32-18 win over the 2019 World Cup finalists in Dublin and was in tears following the fulltime whistle.
Ireland full-back Hugo Keenan revealed there were jubilant post-match scenes in the changing room, during which Stander received a tub-thumping tribute.
“It was a good buzz, in fairness. We put in a good performance that we were putting pressure on ourselves to deliver on all week and all campaign,” said Keenan.
“Everyone’s happy. It was a great way to send CJ off, so we sang a song and it was enjoyable in there.”
Asked about the choice of tune, Keenan replied: “Simply the Best. It was good craic.”
Ireland ended a four-match losing run against Eddie Jones’ side thanks to tries from Keith Earls and Jack Conan, plus 22 points from captain Johnny Sexton.
An emotional Stander told Irish Rugby TV: “Dreams still do come true. I dreamt of playing in the jersey for a long while, I worked hard and everyone made it easy for me.
“The last few years have been special.
“Thanks to everyone for the game, for the send-off. It’s been a great week.
“I am looking forward to supporting this team from the stands with a pint of Guinness in my hand.”
Ireland hooker Rob Herring, who also hails from South Africa, was delighted to give his compatriot positive lasting memories of his final game in an Irish shirt.
“I think there is just complete respect (for him),” said Herring.
“Everyone in the squad, they see what he does every week, the hard work he puts in, the dedication he has for the jersey.
“It’s been pretty emotional for a lot of the guys, we’ve played a lot of rugby with him and just delighted we can finish off on a performance like that and he can have that memory for the rest of his life.”
Victory over England secured a top-half finish for Ireland.
Meanwhile, Maro Itoje insists England’s players and not Eddie Jones must be held accountable for their calamitous Guinness Six Nations performance.
Jones is fighting for his Twickenham future after defeat by Ireland condemned last year’s champions to fifth place, equalling their previous worst finish of 2018, which also came on the Australian’s watch.
A defiant Jones believes he remains the right man to lead England into the 2023 Word Cup and, according to Itoje, he retains the support of his players.
“Eddie is a fantastic coach,” he said. “He’s one of the best coaches I’ve worked with.
“His work rate, his knowledge, his feeling with the players, the way he goes about his business are genuinely second to none.
“As players, we need to be accountable for our behaviours.
“At the end of the day, Eddie can’t play the game for us.”