CJ Stander caps fine season for Munster with player of year award

Ulster

fans will outnumber

Munster

supporters by a factor of 15 to one on Saturday week when the sides meet in their pivotal Pro12 match in Kingspan Stadium in Belfast.

Munster returned 500 tickets from their allocation of 1,700, which means all but 1,200 tickets for the match will be in Ulster hands. The stadium has a capacity of just over 18,000.

The outcome of the match will have a huge bearing on who clinches a home semi-final, with Ulster sitting third in the table on 67 points, a point behind Munster in second.

It will take all of Munster’s guile and experience to return from Belfast with their place in Thomond Park secure for the knockout phase with former Baby Bok backrow CJ Stander again likely to be one of their main contributors.

The 25-year old from George on the Western Cape became the first overseas player to be named the Munster Player of the Year at yesterday’s annual Munster Rugby Awards at the Maryborough Hotel in Cork.

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt will take note as the former South Africa under-20 captain and former champion discus thrower hopes to follow in the footsteps of Jared Payne and Richardt Strauss when he becomes Irish qualified after the World Cup.

Stander has picked up five man-of-the-match awards in the Pro12 this season, his fifth arriving in Munster’s 42-20 win against Connacht at the end of March. “I just go out to do my best in the red jersey. It is all about the team but it is great to be selected for awards like this,” said Stander.

“I am deeply honoured, especially when I see those who have previously won this award and the quality of the others, Billy [Holland] and Tommy [O’Donnell], who were nominated this year.”

Eleven awards were presented at the function, which was attended by the Munster squad led by coach Anthony Foley, manager Niall O'Donovan and captain Peter O'Mahony.

Hooker Duncan Casey won the Young Player of the Year, Jack O’Donoghue won the academy honour, while Ciara Griffin won the women’s award.

Former Lions player and coach Noel Murphy was chosen as the Hall of Fame winner. Referee of the Year is Andy Brace, while Young Munster (senior), Clonmel (junior), Ennis (club youth) and Listowel (club mini) won the club awards, with Bandon Grammar selected as the School of the Year.