Ahead of Munster's trip to the Aviva to take on Leinster, CJ O'Stander has given Anthony Foley plenty of reason to smile by giving his head coach a ringing endorsement. Foley has endured a tough couple of seasons in charge at Munster, as the southern province battle to stay relevant among their wealthy European counterparts.
Despite a poor season, Foley has been given a contract extension, and O'Stander has fully backed the decision:
When I arrived here it was probably not his decision but I didn’t really play but he always backs players if they do well so he backed me and that is good.
The last two years for him was probably tough not getting to where we wanted to but if you stick with someone, especially with him, he knows what he wants to do, we know what he wants. I just think it is small stuff we can fix.
We always said it was small stuff to fix but it’s tough when we don’t fix it. I think next year is Axel’s year. We just need to, as we do, back him. He backs us.
I’m delighted with him signing another year. It just shows that he wants to be here and that Munster want him here. It’s good.
Munster will face Leinster this evening as the sixth-placed team in the Pro12, a point ahead of a Glasgow side with a game in hand.
Despite a poor couple of seasons, Foley will be glad of such an endorsement from a key player who is currently basking in as much public goodwill as anyone else in Irish rugby.
The Munster faithful will be desperate that their back-rower is right that next year will be Axel's year., because if fortunes do not turn around rapidly next season, the wheels could come off. And if they do, expect Axel to follow.
