Ulster Rugby vs Leinster

“I GOT TAKEN OFF AND I TOOK A SECOND TO

have those questions about whether I my full potential because I know 100%

played to that I did

LOOK UP, EVERYONE WAS STANDING AND GAVE ME A WEE CLAP, SO AS A KIWI OR AS AN OUTSIDER TO GET THAT OVATION BY A PROVINCE THAT HAS ADOPTED ME IS PRETTY SPECIAL”

here in Belfast. What do you think has been

the

difference at Ulster, that facilitated playing to your potential? NW: I’ve just been happy away from game. I look at it now and the boys have me play the game the way I want to play Probably the answer to your question is a bit of balance, know when, know when to. The coaching that we’ve had here been world class and the coaches know how they can get the best out of me and not over-push. That goes my way too; to play within the boundaries and the laws of how the coaches and the team plays so I think all in all it’s gone pretty sweet. The physical was way you play the game probably makes you more prone to picking up injuries – it is just unfortunate that you are injured at this stage of your career with Ulster? NW: It is a bit of a shame alright. I’ve probably been lucky enough, I’ve been playing since I was 18 so she’s been a long ride. The way I play the game, yeah, you would be prone to injuries, but it’s probably the reason why I got here so I’m not going to change it now. What are the standout memories of your time here? NW: A lot of the European matches. Toulouse back- to-back. We’ve always seemed to stand up when we played the big French teams, like Montpellier a couple of years ago. I think my lasting memory would probably be when we played Zebre in what looks like my last home game. I got taken off and I took a second to look up, everyone was standing and gave me a wee clap, so as a Kiwi or as an outsider to get that ovation by a Province that has adopted me is pretty special. How much of a role do the fans play here at Kingspan Stadium? NW: It’s an unbelievable atmosphere. Sometimes it’s difficult because we can’t hear each other on the pitch! I’ve played at a fair few stadiums around the world and at times you would think there are 80 or 90 thousand people out there, it’s deafening. When you’re on the pitch and you the let it. not has to

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