CJ Stander not concerned by delay in contract talks
Ireland's CJ Stander is tackled by England's George Kruis and Jamie George (left) during the Guinness Six Nations match at Twickenham Stadium, London.
Ireland number eight CJ Stander is not worried by the delay in contract talks with the Irish Rugby Football Union, despite his deal ending next year.
The back-rower signed a three-year contract in December 2017, which would keep him at Munster until at least June 2021.
He has been a key part of Irish rugby, earning 43 caps for the national team after making his debut in 2016, and was in superb form in the Six Nations encounters against Italy and France.
Covid-19 impact
Covid-19 has impacted finances significantly which means that talks have yet to begin, but Stander is not concerned.
“The negotiations with the IRFU haven’t started yet,” he told reporters in Ireland. “I think with Covid and all those things, they need to make sure that they’re in a place where they can give out contracts. So until then, the plan is to stay here and enjoy what I’m doing at the moment.
“There was a stage where I didn’t and that is not a good place but I’m enjoying it at the moment again and my family is happy. There’s probably going to be a few discussions here and there but it’s something we’ll take when the right time comes.
“I know where we are in the world and what’s going on and I can tell you with the honesty out of my heart that, at the moment, contracts are the last thing on my mind.”
A wonderful try from @IrishRugby which helped seal the Grand Slam against England on the final day of the 2018 Championship…
This @CJStander effort has been shortlisted for @WorldRugby try of the year!
RT if you think it should win…. pic.twitter.com/CH3MnE6217
— Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) October 30, 2018
Stander has consistently been one of Ireland’s best players but the South African-born number eight says that the enforced break caused by the coronavirus pandemic helped reignite his passion for the sport.
He added: “I realised in lockdown that it’s a privilege to play this game. I’m not the big part of this game, the game is the big part and as long as I can add to it, add value to young players, add value to the game from my side and others, spectators, supporters, enjoy it, add a bit of enjoyment to them, that’s great.
“I said this to my wife last night, I just want to go out there and play the game because you never know, it might be the end of rugby at the end of this year and no-one will ever get a contract again.
“It might turn the other way, so I just want to play every game that I can, enjoy it and enjoy being fit, being able to be in the gym and around the boys. For me personally, there’s no uncertainty.”