Harlequins Flanker Chandler Cunningham-South Embraces Homecoming Tour in New Zealand
As Chandler Cunningham-South, the Harlequins flanker, casually bounces a tennis ball down the corridor of England’s hotel, it’s clear he’s not weighed down by the significance of his homecoming tour in New Zealand. The 21-year-old, born in Kent but raised in the country, is embracing his return to familiar territory, where he spent a couple of years at Westlake Boys High School and has family living in Wellsford.
Despite the magnitude of facing the mighty All Blacks in a crucial Test series, Cunningham-South exudes a sense of calm and confidence. He quips that his experience playing for the Lincoln University 2nd XV doesn’t provide much insight into the mindset of the national team, but he has taken on the role of tour guide, helping his teammates navigate the local surroundings.
One perk Cunningham-South is particularly excited about is the superior quality of fried chicken in New Zealand. “The KFC is better here,” he says with a laugh, eagerly anticipating a post-match indulgence on Sunday.
This homecoming holds both personal and professional significance for the young flanker. In a sporting sense, he is cementing his claim to become the long-term successor to Courtney Lawes in the England pack. On a personal level, he is reconnecting with the rugby culture he left behind to join the London Irish academy, a journey that has seen him rapidly rise through the ranks.
“It was an awesome thing to be a part of,” he says, the excitement palpable in his voice.
Facing the iconic Haka before the first Test in Dunedin was a nostalgic experience for Cunningham-South, who recalls doing similar pre-match rituals during his schooldays.
As he prepares for the series finale at the hallowed Eden Park, where the All Blacks have not lost in three decades, Cunningham-South remains unfazed. His calm demeanor and unwavering confidence, reminiscent of his predecessor Lawes, suggest England have found a formidable new force of nature in the young flanker.
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