EXCLUSIVEI might be England's star of 2024 but I still haven't had a game I'm happy with: CHANDLER CUNNINGHAM-SOUTH is a one-man wrecking ball who's desperate for more
- The giant flanker scored two tries against Australia during impressive Autumn
- Join Mail+ to get ahead of the game with Rugby Confidential every Wednesday and Chris Foy's World of Rugby every Monday
Hidden among the narrow losses and subsequent recriminations that have characterised England's last two campaigns, the impressive individual performances of one man have perhaps gone under the radar. And that's a surprise, as you can't really miss Chandler Cunningham-South on the field.
At 6ft 4in, just under 19st, and with long, flowing dreadlocked hair, the giant flanker is a fearsome and imposing physical specimen. But Cunningham-South is no show pony.
He hits hard. Just ask New Zealand's Tupou Vaa'i. In England's autumn opener with the All Blacks, Cunningham-South cut Vaa'i in half with a tackle so brutal that a capacity Twickenham crowd let out a huge, guttural roar.
In one moment, Cunningham-South gave his team priceless impetus. He followed that with two tries against Australia.
'That aggression has always been there,' Cunningham-South tells Mail Sport. 'I've kept on developing in the gym to make sure I'm powerful and have the endurance to go the full 80 minutes. It's definitely something I've been working on.
'Those sorts of moments give you another huge burst of energy. It almost doesn't make you feel tired anymore, you're just listening to the crowd. It feels amazing.'
At 6ft 4in, just under 19st, and with long, flowing dreadlocked hair, Chandler Cunningham-South is a fearsome and imposing physical specimen
Hidden among England's narrow losses and subsequent recriminations his impressive individual performances have perhaps gone under the radar
There can be no doubt the 21-year-old has shown this year he is set to be a key figure for Harlequins and England into the future
Cunningham-South has had a fine 2024. He refutes the suggestion the past 12 months has been a breakthrough period, but there can be no doubt the 21-year-old has shown this year he is set to be a key figure for Harlequins and England into the future.
He made his senior international debut against Italy in the Six Nations in March and hasn't looked back from there, impressing on the summer tour of New Zealand – the country where he was raised after being born in London – and again in the autumn, often in a losing cause.
Cunningham-South started all three of England's narrow November defeats by New Zealand, Australia and South Africa before coming off the bench in the win over Japan.
'It's been a pretty cool year,' says Cunningham-South, whose physical stature belies his tender years. 'I'm definitely heading in the right direction. I've been very happy to get lots of games for Harlequins and England and now it's just a case of trying to progress from there and keep getting better.
'There's definitely a lot more I want to do. For me, it's about being a complete package and having games where I can come off the field and know I've had a good performance. That's still what I'm striving for.
'I've definitely improved a lot. I feel like I've had some good games, but not one where I could say to myself, "You did great today".
'Going into the England camp and playing international games was certainly a huge step up. The coaches there have been a great help — the first camp I went into before the Six Nations was a big shock to me in terms of all the detail that goes into it. You have to catch up pretty quickly.'
He did exactly that. He seems to be able to deliver in the big moments of big matches and in many ways, is the ultimate modern forward.
When he scored twice against Australia, Cunningham-South marked his tries by mimicking Chelsea footballer Cole Palmer's trademark celebration
He says: 'I do like Chelsea for sure! I've seen footballers and the celebrations they do and I just think it's so cool'
The former London Irish back-row is a one-man wrecking ball. He has a priceless ability to be able to ride the first tackle and make forward metres post-contact – something which is manna from heaven for coaches. But he is as good in the loose as he is in the tight.
Cunningham-South is comfortable in the wide channels and runs well when given space to move. His ball skills are excellent too.
The good news for Harlequins and England is there is surely further improvement to come.
Cunningham-South is a Six Nations certainty for England at the start of 2025. In what is further good news for the growth of English rugby as a whole, he also seems a player eager to embrace his burgeoning international reputation.
With rugby struggling across the globe to rival other sports and suffering financial difficulty, the game needs to promote its stars as individuals in order to thrive. Cunningham-South sees the importance in doing so. This does not make him arrogant or above his station. Far from it, in fact.
When he scored twice against Australia, Cunningham-South marked his tries by mimicking Chelsea footballer Cole Palmer's trademark celebration.
He adds: 'I do like Chelsea for sure! I've seen footballers and the celebrations they do and I just think it's so cool. I thought I'd try that one out and see what happens. I don't have my own celebration yet, so I suppose I'll keep mimicking others until I get one.
'I think it's important for players. I think young players should be able to show who they are and that they've got a bit about them. A celebration is a way to do that.
He managed to bag two tries against Australia although England narrowly lost
In England's autumn opener with the All Blacks, Cunningham-South cut Tupou Vaa'i in half with a tackle
'Sometimes you'll get a bit of stick for it, but I think you should be able to do what you want. You have so much energy and passion inside you once you've scored a try, so why not celebrate?'
So, is there an original Cunningham-South celebration coming in 2025?
'It's wait and see! I don't score too many tries, so when I do something will just come up,' he says. 'I think I was just a bit overwhelmed against Australia!'
Cunningham-South and England will look to turn the small-margin defeats that seemed to define them in 2024 into victories, come the new year.
There is also a possibility that if he continues his upward curve, Cunningham-South could tour Australia with the British & Irish Lions this coming summer.
First, though, is club duty. Cunningham-South and Harlequins face Leicester at the Allianz Stadium for 'Big Game 16' on December 27.
The home of English rugby is sold out for the double-header of festive fixtures which also includes a meeting between the women's sides of the two clubs.
Cunningham-South lives in Surbiton with his Harlequins team-mate Will Joseph, with both players having crossed the capital's divide when London Irish entered administration.
Cunningham-South also featured in a close defeat to world champions South Africa
Cunningham-South is a Six Nations certainty for England at the start of 2025
He hasn't looked back since joining London Irish, even though the club went bust in 2023
The pair spent Christmas apart, Cunningham-South visiting his grandparents and sister because his family still live in New Zealand.
Cunningham-South's rugby pedigree was nurtured in the southern hemisphere, where his dad Richard coached him at Silverdale Rugby Club.
Richard remains a tough critic despite his son's rapid and impressive rise, regularly sending feedback via WhatsApp from the other side of the world.
'My dad coached me in my last year at Silverdale. There were no coaches in that last year, so he stepped up and took the team. We only lost one game,' Cunningham-South says.
'Growing up in New Zealand, rugby is everything over there. I was playing since I was four, so I guess I've always had that want to play rugby.
'Ever since I'd run around bare feet with my friends, I've just always wanted to throw a ball around, whether that's on the beach or on grass playing a game.
'I went down to a local rugby club when I was four and I got signed up. I was always running around and it gave me a chance to blow off some steam and use some of the energy and aggression you have as a young boy growing up.
'Harlequins have been helping me a lot. Having a good group of friends here has been important and very helpful to me for my development. Moving with Will made the transition a lot easier.
Cunningham-South lives in Surbiton with his Harlequins team-mate Will Joseph
Harlequins are seventh in the Premiership pile ahead of a mega clash against Leicester
'He's good to live with. I've had to nestle him under my wing a few times when he gets a bit messy. I keep him in check and make sure everything runs smoothly.
'We enjoy living together, but I don't think we could have whipped up a turkey in the flat!'
New Zealand is a country hardly short of rugby ability. Their huge talent pool meant Cunningham-South wasn't offered an academy contract with the Crusaders, his hometown Super Rugby team, so he returned to England where he was handed a chance with Irish.
He hasn't looked back since, even though the club with which he started went bust in 2023.
Harlequins are seventh in the Premiership pile ahead of their mega Leicester clash and looking to respond after being nilled by Gloucester at Kingsholm.
Cunningham-South has become used to turning in big performances for England at Twickenham. Now he gets a chance to do in the famous quarters of his club.
'I'm excited for Big Game and to hopefully win it. It's a big part of our season this Christmas period. We've got some hard games and some big challenges,' says Cunningham-South.
Luckily for Harlequins and England, it's exactly those sort of difficult environments in which the player thrives. After a fine year, the rugby world is Cunningham-South's oyster.
