'We came for an adventure and we never went back'
Written by I Dig Sports![](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/branded_sport/db0a/live/b8b87f80-3f4f-11ef-a314-8d207df81c37.jpg)
England fans have seen those attributes in spades since Cunningham-South burst on to the international scene when he made his debut against Italy in Rome in February.
But it took a leap of faith to get to this point.
At the end of 2021, Cunningham-South's development in New Zealand had stalled. Despite being on the radar of professional sides, he was without an academy contract.
Frustrated with the lack of opportunities, he put together a highlights reel in his bedroom and sent it around the world. London Irish came calling and he moved back to England aged just 18.
"Mum wasn't too happy, but she's ok with it now!" said Chandler with a laugh.
Caroline added: "I am incredibly proud of him. He had realised he was at a point that if he was going to make it, he needed an academy position somewhere.
"There were none on offer in New Zealand, so it was suggested for him to look around the world, and he did.
"He has always known his own mind and I trust him to make sound judgements. And the rest is history, I guess."