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Like a kid again - Stander can't wait for Lions bow

By Iain Strachan
CJ Stander training with the British and Irish Lions

CJ Stander says the prospect of experiencing his British and Irish Lions debut makes him “feel like a kid again” ahead of Wednesday’s tour match against Blues.

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The South African-born Ireland forward has been named by Warren Gatland in the XV to face the Super Rugby franchise at Eden Park.

The Lions are seeking to build on a 13-7 victory over the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians in the opening game of the trip in Whangarei on Saturday.

“The Lions is something that you work towards, the passion of the boys who have been in the jersey before you; four nations coming together for one goal,” Munster back-rower Stander told a news conference.

“It takes a lot of hard work to be part of a bigger squad that is the best of the best of four nations.

“It means you’ve worked hard to get there. The job’s not done yet but you’re part of it, in a group that has a lot of talent and X-factor.

“I’m looking forward to playing alongside that, the passion the boys have for the jersey, and the excitement.

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“I feel like a kid again, when you get in that first team, you almost can’t believe that you’re there.”

Stander’s Ireland team-mate, Munster centre Jared Payne, has also been handed a start by Gatland.

Having recovered from a lacerated kidney sustained on international duty late last year, Payne missed the tour opener due to a calf problem but will now make his Lions debut against the country of his birth.

“It’s been a bit of a roller coaster of a season for me, so it’s a bit of a relief just to be able to get out there on the field,” he said.

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“Sometimes you can come straight back in and perform well, others it might not go for you.

“So I’ve just got to do what I can and work to make sure I can go well.”

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Bull Shark 45 minutes ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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