Stander: ‘We Need To Pitch Up’

Captain CJ Stander on Munster’s need to ‘pitch up’ this weekend with the opportunity ripe for Connacht to achieve their first season’s double over the southern province.

Enjoying their most successful PRO12 campaign to date, Round 8 saw Connacht achieve their first win at Thomond Park in 29 years on a night when some harsh lessons were learnt by Stander and his teammates.
 
“When we played in Thomond Park earlier this season they had 61% of the possession and we struggled massively.  It’s simple, without possession you are going nowhere and that’s something we’ll have to rectify going into this weekend – we need to look after the ball.”
 
With Munster currently sixth on the PRO12 table, five points adrift of the top-4, and with Edinburgh hot on their heels for a Champions Cup qualification spot, it’s backs-to-the-walls for Stander’s men this weekend, certainly from a PRO12 play-off perspective.
 
“It’s like a Cup Final, everyone knows that and the same goes for all the remaining games this season.  We need to pitch up and win every game, otherwise that’s our season done.
 
“Connacht play a type of game that attracts people and the Sportsground will be packed – that will make it tougher for us.  If we give them opportunities to get into the game it’s going to be a long day because the crowd will be on our backs.
 
“But from our point of view, we have a lot of motivation and a lot to play for so it will be an interesting game.”
 
Munster v Connacht, Guinness PRO12 Round 20, Saturday April 16^th at the Sportsground, Galway – KO 7.15pm.
 
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