An unhappy England back-row player, Chandler Cunningham-South, felt he needed to prove a point against Gloucester on Saturday, having been given limited opportunities by Steve Borthwick during the Autumn Internationals.
Adding to his drive, the 23-year-old was keen to impress his Mum, Caroline, who was watching from the stands at Kingsholm. Cunningham-South’s biggest supporter had travelled from New Zealand and was excited to watch her first Quins match in person.
Cunningham-South, who was born in Sidcup but grew up in Auckland, was determined to deliver a strong performance for his family, and to remind Borthwick of his abilities after only playing 55 minutes in the Autumn Nations Series. He started at No.8 against Fiji, followed by a two-minute appearance against the All Blacks, which was the extent of his game time.
“Mum’s visiting, which is fantastic. I’m staying with my grandparents, and she’s staying there too, so we’re spending a lot of time together,” he told RugbyPass.
“She’s a great cook, and she makes sure I have a snack and coffee ready for me when I leave for training. It’s nice to be looked after for a while, to feel like a kid again, I suppose. And she’s coming to the game this weekend, which is really cool.
“She’s never been to a Quins game before, so that’s exciting. She usually stays up late in New Zealand to watch (on TV). She’ll also get to see a game at the Stoop and the Big Game before she returns (on December 21st).”
Being in London, close to his grandparents, was a significant factor in Cunningham-South’s decision to decline an offer from Sale Sharks and commit to a new long-term contract with Harlequins.
“There’s a great atmosphere at the moment. If you were to come in, you’d sense a strong belief among the boys that we’re heading in the right direction,” he said, explaining his commitment to the club.
“The coaching change at the start of the year (Danny Wilson leaving for Wales) wasn’t ideal, but I think that’s all in the past now, and we can focus on our goals as a team. It’s exciting to see what we can achieve.”
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At Kingsholm, Cunningham-South’s friendly off-field manner transformed into the fierce determination he displays during matches.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” said the Bromley-based forward.
“Of course, I would have liked more playing time in the Autumn, but I can’t dwell on it for too long. It gives me extra motivation to push on with Quins. I want to play as much as possible and perform well for the team, and then see where things stand come the Six Nations.
“The Shed is an incredible place to play, so hopefully we can go there and silence the crowd. It would be amazing to get a win there.”
In Quins captain, Alex Dombrandt, Cunningham-South has someone experienced to talk to about the uncertainties of England selection.
Dombrandt has earned 23 caps compared to Cunningham-South’s 18, but over a longer period. Since his England debut in 2021, Dombrandt has never played more than six consecutive Tests.
“We all talk, and he’s probably noticed that I’ve returned a bit disappointed. He’s been in this situation before, so it’s helpful to have people like that around. It’s not ideal, but it can be a good incentive, a driver, that makes you even more determined. Make sure to tune in on Saturday!”
