Ulster Rugby v La Rochelle

CHRISTIAN LEALIIFANO

Australian international flyhalf Christian Lealiifano joined Ulster Rugby on a five-month loan deal back in August 2017. Today, he will wear the Ulster jersey for the last time at Kingspan Stadium.

CHRISTIAN LEALIIFANO that’s gone on, from the new coaching staff, the new style of play and trying to find balance with injuries. I think we’re doing really well and heading Reflecting on his time at Ulster, Christian said: “It’s obviously been a huge honour to represent such a proud Province. I didn’t know what to expect coming here and I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s probably been the most enjoyable experience of my career so far. “To be so far away from home and the norm and the way the team and the fans and supporters have really taken me in as their own, they made me and my family feel right at home. It has been really humbling and it’s quite a special feeling. “I was speaking to Ruan Pienaar recently and he really misses this place, he loved it so much and the people loved him for what he’d done here. For someone who was here for 7 years to someone who has been here just 5 months, I feel that we have got the same feeling about the place, purely because of the people that are here.” In a season of mixed fortunes to date, Lealiifano is positive that Ulster are making huge strides in the right direction. “I think we’ve done fantastically well with all in the right direction. I think we’ve now got a strong enough group and depth of players to be able to go deep in both competitions. “The coaching team do a fantastic job each week to get the group in a good headspace to compete. People can sit outside saying that’s easy, you just turn up and play but there are so many external factors that affect a player and trying to get 15, 23, 30 players all on the same page is not an easy job. “Everyone is slowly getting into better habits and understanding what it takes for Ulster to become such a successful side. Success has eluded this Province for a long time. Fans expect something and have been waiting for a long time. but the club is transitioning and that takes time. Everyone

involved in Ulster Rugby is about making sure this team is heading in a positive direction, putting people in place that will be ready to win titles.” In his short five-month stint, Lealiifano has had a marked impact on the Ulster squad, using his time both on and off the pitch to assist the development of other players. It’s something the 30-year-old has really enjoyed. “I have been new to the squad but I have been around rugby for a little bit. I’m someone who will always put the team and others first. I like to see guys develop and to be able to pass on the experience and knowledge that I’ve picked up along the way. “If I can impact one player in a positive way, to help him to become better, to drive his standards, to be the best that he can be each day, then I’ve achieved a positive result in a squad. I think that’s infectious in a side, it creates a team that is selfless and playing for each other and I think that’s a very powerful tool. “You can have all the talent in the world, all the structures and systems but if you’re not connected to the guy next to you you’re going to struggle a bit.” A testament to his resilience and courage, Lealiifano overcame significant challenges, including recovery from leukaemia, to return to rugby and earn a contract here at Ulster. “I’ve talked to a lot of guys that say I inspire them every day and for me that’s really humbling. I don’t see myself as a special person so to hear people like my teammates say that I inspire them, that’s truly heart-warming. “To be able to impact people in a way that is heartfelt, that helps them to do something better and create some happiness for others - that means more to me than rugby and winning rugby titles or championships. That’s hopefully the kind of impact I made here.”

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