I am not a big rugby fan but these championships get everyone’s attention; when I was a youth player at Crystal Palace, from January onwards for a couple of months, we would play on the Saturday morning, and then look forward to an afternoon watching the rugby; the English, Welsh, Irish and Scots lads in the house cheering on their country, most of us not knowing what the hell was going on.
So when CJ Stander scored the third try of his hat-trick last week, I was out of my seat and absolutely thrilled as an Irishman, and for the player. I don’t know him but I knew his story. He doesn’t seem very Irish to me.
As I got back in my seat, I thought about the lad – I don’t know his name but I feel for him – sitting on the bench, or sitting at home, who had been deprived of a cap so CJ Stander could play for Ireland and score a hat-trick against Italy.
This is an Irish lad who has played his schools and club rugby up and down the country, who thought he had a clear pathway to the green shirt. That honour has been snatched away from him so we can sign a brilliant South African who has lived in Ireland for three years.
There were English and Scottish-born players who jumped on the bandwagon to play football for Ireland, and I certainly did not resent them joining the squad at the time. I always welcomed the likes of Liam Lawrence with open arms because I had no fear about fighting for my place, and was pretty ruthless in that regard. It didn’t matter who they were.
I won 39 caps. Could it have been 50? I don’t know, but, looking back, I do wonder and I do feel for those rugby boys whose Irish careers may have been hindered by Stander. He must feel that the IRFU have let him down, even if Stander’s performances are benefitting the Ireland team.
larry
all good