“Mockery.

Munster and Ireland number eight CJ Stander shocked the rugby world on Tuesday when he announced he would be retiring from the game completely at the end of the season at just 31.

Stander has been a key player for both Munster and Ireland in recent seasons and is one of the first names on the teamsheet for both sides.

But citing family reasons, the former Bulls player has decided to hang up his boots early and return to South Africa with his wife and young child and step away from the sport entirely.

Former Samoa international Dan Leo however, thinks this move makes a “mockery” of the game. Leo, who is also the chief executive of Pacific Rugby Players Welfare, reckons Stander returning home after securing residency is worse than Pacific Islanders that have represented other nations looking to line out for their home nation following a stand-down period.

“Congrats on a great career CJ,” Leo wrote about Stander in a now-deleted Tweet.

“But in my mind, someone getting residency after three years, making a national team and then moving back home as soon as they retire makes a mockery of the game far more than Pacific Island heritage players wanting to turn out after a stand-down period.”

Leo did clarify however that he does not think Stander’s career has made a mockery of the game, rather the decision he has made which has been afforded to him by World Rugby.