Ireland ready to 'park' CJ saga
Despite their obvious disappointment – both with the ruling and the time it took to slap a one-match ban on the South African-born loose forward – the Irish are determined to move on and write another chapter in their historic our.
Skills and Kicking coach Richie Murphy told a media briefing at the team's hotel in Johannesburg that Ireland are unlikely to appeal the ban, because time is against the team.
The disciplinary hearing – following Stander's red card in last Saturday's historic 26-20 first Test win in Cape Town, when he collided with Springbok flyhalf Patrick Lambie in a sickening clash that sent the No.10 to hospital – began last Sunday morning.
However, the lengthy hearing – run by the Southern Hemisphere's SAANZAR body – was adjournment till Monday and the media release revealing the ban was only sent out late afternoon.
By Tuesday the Irish camp had still not received the full report from Australian disciplinary official Terry Willis – leaving them with almost no choice but to accept the ban and move on.
As Murphy told the media briefing, they need to "park" last week's events and move on to the second Test – which will take place at Ellis Park on Saturday.
"We are halfway through the training week already," Murphy said, adding: "CJ [Stander] hasn't been training with the team, so it is probably too late already."
He made no secret of the fact that they are "disappointed" in the verdict – maintaining that it was an accidental collision and not a deliberate act.
"The the player [Lambie] was injured on the pitch and we are disappointed for that as well. That was never the intention of CJ.
"The process [the hearing] that he went through just took forever and that is something that has gone against CJ."
Murphy said he also found it "strange" Stander was cited and punished for a dangerously tackle.
"Until we see the full report it is difficult for us to comment.
"However, we were told that it was a dangerous tackle. It was a collision, but I don't think it was a tackle."
Murphy said that Stander, who moved to Ireland in 2012 and qualified to play for his adopted country by last year, will be missed.
"He has been a fantastic player since he has come over [to Ireland]. In the four years that he has been there, he as been fantastic for Munster, he gives real leadership qualities within the team. His workrate is really high and obviously he is one of those guys that will get you on the front foot.
"He will be missed, but it gives opportunities to other guys.
"Rhys Ruddock has had a really good season and could step into that position."
Murphy said this week's Test at Ellis Park will be "totally different" to last week's encounter at Newlands.
"Come Saturday it will be a very different game, that is why our focus would be on ourselves this week, to get us into a position to win the match and make more history," he said of the possibility of a first-ever series win over the Boks – to follow on their first-ever Test win on South African soil.
"We'll set ourselves up to exploit the perceived weaknesses we see in the South African team.
"We'll play a game that suits us and gives us the best chance to win the Test match."
By Jan de Koning, in Johannesburg
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