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Rumours: CJ Stander linked with Bordeaux
By Ian Cameron
As the IRFU come to the end of their negotiating period with currently contracted players across the provinces, speculation is once again mounting around CJ Stander's future with Munster and Ireland.
A likely British and Irish Lions tourist this summer, No.8 Stander has been a regular of the Ireland pack for years, but a move to France is once again doing the rounds in the Irish media. Speaking on The42.ie podcast, former Dragons head coach Bernard Jackman said information relayed to him by an agent suggested that Stander is a major target for Top 14 club Bordeaux.
“I spoke to a French agent last week and he was of the opinion that CJ was going to Bordeaux — or that Bordeaux were making a serious play for him."
“I don’t know any more than that but he’s a top player and Bordeaux are a great club. They’re very ambitious and I think they’re about to lose two eights from their current roster.
“I don’t know if he’s been talking to them or anything like that but, certainly, Bordeaux have a huge interest in CJ," said the former Ireland and Leinster hooker.
This is not the first time Stander has been linked with a move abroad and it is not unknown for established players to - quite within their rights - seek out offers to bring back to the negotiating table with the IRFU.
Stander was the focus of a rumoured move the last time he was at the negotiating with the IRFU back table in 2017. Montpellier were reported at the time to have tabled an eye-watering €700,000 plus for the forward.
Stander rubbished it as gossip at the time: “Following a lot of speculation and unfounded articles in the media, I am delighted to announce that I have signed a new three-year contract with the IRFU through to 2021. My intention was always to stay with Munster and Ireland throughout this process having settled well in Limerick with my wife and within the Munster family."
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Latest Comments
On your last point there should be some sort of transfer fee based on how far through the system a player gets and where they entered. If someone goes all the way through school boy and age grade rugby in NZ, NPC, SR they have probably had 100s of thousands invested in them, only for all the benefit to accrue somewhere else.
When entering the NZ Senior Age grade/senior school boys system players should have to sign a deal that would keep them playing in NZ until they were 25 unless someone bought out their contract or some other stand down period if the player emigrated. It would be a financial boon for NZR and all the PIs.
Go to commentsIts an interesting few points you raise Nick. Rassie has been way bolder than Razor in selection but then again he really has to be as he plots towards 2027. The reality is more than half his squad from 2023 may have to be culled and this includes some of the best players the Boks have ever had on their books. The age profile of his team was such that he needed to blood all these young players and he will do the same next year with even more players as he tries to put together a squad with enough experience to take to 2027. Razor on the other hand has a large number of players that will make 2027. Alot of players will be over 100 caps and these players would have multiple caps together. A large amount of these are starters as well. He is trying to build combinations and a rigid style of play. Razor wants absolute control and you can see it. He wants his players to follow his instructions to the tee. He will not accept anything less. He has included some young guns who he will stick with and older players who have earned his trust. Razor goes with what he knows and appears reluctant to accept quick change. He is the kind of coach who will change incrementally and that may not be a bad thing given his position and the profile of his squad. It also gives the players time to setlle into their roles and to work within his system. Razor has a narrow focus on winning. he wants results now and wont take any risks in selection while he believes the current group can win. He is the most conservative NZ coach in the last 25 years to take the top job. This could stall NZ progress or it could create a team that is unstoppable and ready for anything going into 2027 albeit without the same level of depth as the Boks.
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