Stand Up Magazine - Issue 39 - Ulster Rugby Supporters' Club

URSC FLOODED WITH HUNDREDS OF “CHRISTIAN” EMAILS

www.ursc.co

In the week before he departed to his home in the antipodes, URSC asked for a few minutes with Christian Lealiifano to express our thanks to him, not only for answering Ulster’s call in our hour of need, but for doing it with panache, bravery and so much willing.

Photo courtesy of The News Letter

If any rugby player coming into Ulster ever needed a guide on how to embrace “The Ulster Way” , they could do a lot worse than to look to Christian’s example. Of course, how he played, and how he behaved perhaps should not have come as any great shock, as it only showed the same attitude, bravery and sense of spirit he had previously displayed in his fight against leukaemia. It was only right therefore, that before Christian went back to Australia, that Jonathan Bill presented him with a URSC tankard, and other URSC memorabilia as a small token of our thanks and appreciation, and hopefully as a happy memento of his time in this small corner of the world. Before he departed, we also took the opportunity to ask him one or two things about his time here. This is what he said: On how (or indeed, if) he enjoyed his time at Ulster? I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here. The support I’ve received and playing regular rugby has been really enjoyable. This place is going to be a special place in my memories for a long time to come. On times in the last 18 months when he thought he would never play rugby again? Absolutely. That’s why I’m really, really thankful and appreciative of the opportunity to be here. To have been welcomed here and be taken in by the Ulster people is something I’m humbled

by and truly grateful for. I don’t take each day for granted, and having gone through what I have, your perspective changes. There was a time I thought I’d never play rugby again, - there was a time my thoughts were all about health, and just trying to be a dad to my son. But yeah, I’m glad to have played rugby again.

Thanking Jonathan for the keepsakes, Christian said he looked forward to enjoying a nice cold one from his tankard, and would have special memories of here every time he used it.

My (Christian) faith has been a massive help throughout my illness and none of what I have done would have been possible without the Lord. Knowing the faith of some of the people at Ulster, that’s why I thought it was a perfect fit. I’ll probably look back now and think, “wow”. To have come to a place where the people hold their religion so high and faith is so strong, looking back, I think it was something that was just meant to be. It’s said that God works in mysterious ways, and as mysterious as this was, it’s something I’m truly thankful for. On how the Pro14 League and Champions Cup stack up against southern hemisphere rugby. It’s been different. Both competitions have been quality rugby. The quality of rugby that’s being played here in terms of the physicality and skill levels has opened up my eyes. I’ve enjoyed the experience and the challenge. To compare pro 14 and Champions Cup to other rugby I’ve played

doesn’t do any of them justice. The rugby here has been fantastic and I think the Ulster boys are heading in the right direction. There are some quality individuals here that can do a great job. The welcome from opponents on the pitch? It’s been very humbling. Again, playing against players from all over the world up here, it’s been really humbling to speak to them after games and to hear them say how happy they are to see me playing rugby again, or to see me back out on the field, and to have the opportunity to compete against each other again, it sort of blows me away a bit, and it’s very very humbling to have people recognising what I’ve been through, and for them to take the time to say a few words to me. I’m really appreciative of all of that.

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