Munster expect CJ Stander's visit for game with Stormers in Cape Town to revive memories of Axel Foley
Stander personally attended to the lay-nun called that delivered the Last Rites, taking complete charge that day of the room where Foley died
Munster expect former legend CJ Stander to join them for the Stormers game at DHL Stadium this Saturday (5pm), to help mark the anniversary of Axel Foley's death.
Peter O'Mahony was set to captain Munster from blindside-flanker against Racing in Paris on the weekend of Foley's tragic death in 2016, Stander selected to play no8.
Both O'Mahony and Stander were credited with showing tremendous maturity and tact about the hotel following the discovery of the coach's body, registering as leaders as Munster Rugby strove to deal with the many complications.
READ MORE: Mike Prendergast says Munster left 'frustrated' by Croke Park performance
Read More: Johnny Sexton says rugby team took great pride in representing a united Ireland
Stander, for instance, personally attended to the lay-nun called to give Foley the last rites while, in organising refreshments for those who came to visit, took on the duties of ordering and serving away from distressed hotel staff.
Moreover it is O'Mahony and Stander who are credited with the inspirational 'Axel 8' formation' idea - lining up with the players standing in a notional figure representing the number eight - that has since been seen as a powerful onfield reminder of Foley.
O'Mahony did not travel to South Africa this week as he is nursing a hamstring injury while Stander, who left the club in 2021 is based - running a boutique hotel - in the noted Franschhoek wine valley, some 80km east of the DHL Stadium in Cape Town.
“Axel has been on mind today," said Mikey Prendergast from Munster's South African base yesterday on the anniversary of Foley's death.
"We were speaking about it on the bus there about Axel and the great memories but the thing about Axel, we always talk about him, always speak about him.
“Today’s his anniversary but just in terms of what he was as a friend, what he was as a player and as a coach. He’s a person we speak about all the time.
"A brilliant guy and we remember him obviously more today, for the day that’s in it, his anniversary, but his name is always there. He’s always spoken about.”
The squad expects Stander to be in attendance although they were waiting on confirmation.
“I’m not sure, I don’t know personally," continued Prendergast, "but I’m sure the boys are still close with him.
"I’m sure we’ll see his face, and if not he’ll be at the game. I know he does some media here and I’ve met up with him and had drinks a couple of times. So we’ll see him either on Saturday or he’ll pop down to see the boys.”
The Axel 8 formation has gone on to be just as associated with the Ireland team and, indeed, it was used that November 2016 in Chicago, ahead of their first ever win over the All Blacks.
Axel 8, formed just inside their own half, is now accepted as Ireland's standard formation in opposition to the All Black haka.
Munster still have an in-built Axel-specific in the pre-match routine whereby when the pre-match 'huddle' is about to break up, the 23-man squad shout in union 'Axel'. This happens before every game without exception
Continues Prendergast: “This is in all our huddles, yeah. His name is mentioned literally every day that we’re together, whether it’s training or after games, whenever the boys are in a huddle, Axel’s name is always there and always will be.”
Meanwhile Munster hope to have Billy Burns available, the close-season signing having been hampered by injury to here and having only played 53 minutes for the club.
“As of now, he needs to get through training today and Thursday but as we speak it looks he’s on track," continued Prendergast, "everything has worked out well, thankfully, for him.
“Tony Butler was in over the last couple of weeks and you even look at the moments he had against Connacht, it’s tough on him not being here.
"You talk about when you get the jersey to make an impression and leave it in the best place you can and I think Tony did that well for the few weeks he got the opportunity to."
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
Related
Share this page
Guest Posts by Easy Branches
