A SEASON OF WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN

As the domestic season draws to an end, I’ve been looking back at a season of highs and lows and ended up quite disappointed. At the beginning of the season, we set our sights on a certain path and despondency is due to the fact that we came bitterly close on so many occasions. We bowed out of the Heineken Cup quarter-final qualification race by a single try. We were nicely poised to book a Magners League playoff spot, until a few very close games didn’t go our way. The bounce of the rugby ball has a way of bringing you down to earth and Ulster learnt that the hard way this year. At one stage we were looking at the Heineken Cup knockout stages; two months later we were fighting to just qualify for it next season!

Thankfully, we have now qualified after beating Edinburgh at Murrayfield with a bonus point. We played with confidence and showed glimpses of the potential of this side and how we can perform. Next up is Irish rivals Connaught this weekend for our final fixture of the season and we’re prepared for a titanic battle (as derbies always are!).

Despite the adversity, I really feel we’ve emerged as a more experienced and close-knit group. This bodes well for next season and helps us reach our goals of heading for the top. We realize that it’s a process, but with the group that we have now, as well as the quality signings that Ulster are gaining next season, I’m sure it’s going to be a memorable season in the history of Ulster Rugby. There’s also the exciting addition of two Italian outfits joining the Magners League, which is great for the players and for growing the game of rugby!

EUROPE AT LARGE

There’s been a lot of news from around the UK and Europe over the last two months, but the standout talking points have been the upcoming elections and the volcanic ash weather phenomenon, with the latter affecting many a sporting fixture in Europe. It was a logistical meltdown and the worst part about it was the fact that nobody knew when it was going to pass and when flights would resume again. It was really an unknown phenomenon and suddenly ‘steam travel’ (by rail or sea) became the most popular mode of transport. Ulster was affected through our match against Glasgow in Scotland, where the customary short flight was replaced by a seven hour trip. Even though it was only a three hour ferry, we still had to travel three hours by bus (on the Scottish side) to get to Glasgow. All in all, we travelled for well over seven hours before we arrived at our destination; not the ideal preparation before a big game, but we didn’t really have a choice.

The ferries were understandably fully-booked and I was surprised how efficient and well set up they were. They had cinemas, restaurants, games rooms, beauticians, the list goes on! As rugby players tend to do, we made the most of the situation and had some fun doing things that were a little different.

SPRINGS TEES

Conditions over the last two months have been relentless with the last signs of winter only starting to dwindle now. There have been days where, had it not been for our indoor pitch; suitable training would have been unlikely. Thankfully, our last two games have shown signs that Spring has arrived (i.e. not much wind and rain). I even had the privilege of hearing my teammate (and Irish international wing) Andrew Trimble say that our last game against Edinburgh was played in humid conditions! When you hear such things and the temperature tops 12 degrees, you begin to realize just how cold it gets here.

The longer Spring days have brought much better weather though and so we’ve been reaching for the golf clubs more often. Robbie Diack and I have had some great rounds at the Links course, Port Rush. It was a first for me to tee off at 4:30pm and finish at 8:45pm (with enough light to play another nine if we had to!).

HEINEKEN CUP

This weekend past was great for the neutral, but not as impressive for the Irish. Both Munster and Leinster were eliminated from the competition with losses in France (to Biarritz and Toulouse); showing why the French topped the Six Nations. It’s amazing how the performances of club sides replicate itself in the National side. It doesn’t always happen with the abundance of foreigners (especially in the French league), but Toulouse and Biarritz boast a large number of current French internationals (including the captain). Their upcoming final in Paris (at the month end) will be great for French rugby!

STORMERS

The latest Stormers situation (which has now come to an abrupt end) was something I was really looking forward to. It would have been great to be involved in the Super 14 again, particularly with an outfit that is dominating and continually improving as the Stormers are! The deal was that I was going to be released to the Stormers for the rest of the Super 14 and then join Ulster again in the new season. As you all know however, it did not materialize for obvious reasons and that a deal could not be struck on the matter of comprehensive insurance cover (as stated in the press already). I hope to get another opportunity in the future, as it would be great to run out on that blessed African soil again!

SUPER 14

The Super 14 is really getting to the business end of the tournament and is going to be one of the most exciting finishes since the competition stated; very apt as we close a chapter and welcome the Super 15 next year! The Bulls and Stormers are surely the favourites for home semi-final berths, which I’m hoping ends up with an all South African final. The Bulls have kept their consistency from last season and have held on to their reigning champions tag very impressively. The Stormers have been the most exciting side of the tournament, with their great tries and weekly improvements. I’m looking forward to catching a few games in the latter parts of May when I’m home for my off-season!

LOOKING FORWARD

As I’ve mentioned, it’s been an up and down season for Ulster this year. Consistency will be the word that we’ll be putting forward when we tackle the preparation for next season. We’ll have high expectations as we always do, but we’ll have to ‘walk the walk’ if we want to put some silverware in the cabinet at the end of the 2011 season. I’m looking forward to some time off in South Africa and spending some quality time with my family and friends; maybe the odd braai every second day! A big thank you to all the Ulster supporters that have supported the side all the way. I look forward to seeing you next season as we prepare for one of Ulster’s greatest!