JOE grabbed a few minutes with Ulster No 8 Nick Williams this week, and the big fella spoke of how much he loved Ireland, apart from the weather of course.
When we spoke to Nick Williams this week, he had just come in off a freezing training pitch, where the rain had been coming in sideways. But after being in Ireland a few years - ‘I’ve come to expect it here so I’m not going to complain’ – he wasn’t going to let a bit of wind and rain put him in a bad mood so he spoke to us at length about the Six Nations so far, the Heineken Cup and his in
JOE: So, what did you make of the Six Nations games just gone?
Nick Williams: The Irish first half against Scotland was a bit slow but in the second half the boys in green really did well. I was happy, and especially happy for the boys from up here. They made a big impact, like Dan Tuohy in the second row. I was quite chuffed for him, especially as he had to step in at the last minute when Paul was declared unfit.
JOE: Yeah, the Ulster lads really performed
NW: The boys haven’t had that many chances but with Trimby out on the wing there scoring a try, big Dan stepping in and even the young ginger boy Paddy coming on off the bench for a little cameo it was a good day. It was good to see them carry it through from the AB game to the Six Nations.
JOE: Were you concerned that the team might be a bit flat after that crushing NZ defeat?
NW: I’ve played under Schmidty at the Auckland Blues and he would have been hammering the lads not to rest on their good points. After going so close, consistency would have been the message, something that has been lacking in the Irish game. Scotland was just a stepping stone to better things I think.
JOE: Were you impressed by Wales or France?
NW: France were lucky to take it in the end but that’s typical France, they always seem to be able to get something at the end. The Italians gave the Welsh a good run for their money so it looks like quite an even Championship. Things will be out in perspective after this weekend.
JOE: Speaking of this weekend then Nick, who you got, Ireland or Wales?
NW: Mate I’ll have to go with the boys in green. My loyalty, aside from the ABs, will always be with the boys in green. It is my second home and I’ll be cheering all the boys on.
JOE: Nick you played for the Junior All Blacks which ruled you out of playing for any other country. Any regrets on that front?
NW: If anything I would have wanted to play for my home country Samoa but the way things panned out decisions I made earlier in my career I had to live with. If I could change anything I wouldn’t as the black jersey is a massive thing for us and it was a lifelong dream. Perhaps the rules need to change about international representation but for now I am happy to wear the white jersey of Ulster. The only that is hard is the weather (laughs).
JOE: You had a fantastic season last season. IRUPA Player of the Year and PRO12 Player of the year. What did it mean to get that sort of recognition from your fellow pros?
NW: It was a very humbling experience. My time down in Cork (Williams played with Munster from 2008 to 2010) with Munster wasn’t the best. I’ll admit I didn’t play well and I had injury problems. Last year was nice to win the awards but that was last year. This is a new chapter and I’m trying to make as much of an impact this year. The chances haven’t fallen my way, teams are pouncing on me but you expect that and it was always going to be hard to live up to the hype of last year. I’m just going week by week and, most importantly, stay injury free.
JOE: The Heineken Cup doesn’t resume until April but are you already thinking about that home quarter-final with Saracens?
NW: It’s a week to week thing in the Rabo right now. Once we get to the March break we will start to think about it properly. It is up to us foreign boys to steer the ship until then. To have the game at home isn’t just massive for us, it is massive for the region. It was way back when Humph senior was still playing, in the dinosaur days, that Ulster last had a home quarter final so it is great. The stadium will be completed by then and it is something that the players can give back to the fans after they supported us so well over the last decade. And it would be nice to beat Saracens after losing the quarter final to them last year.
JOE: Finally Nick, with Valentine’s coming up the folks at Ulster in association with BT are running a Valentine's competition to allow a fan and their partner to have their names on a pitchside ad for the game at home to the Scarlets on February 14. If you had the chance to post a Valentine’s message what would it be?
NW: You’ve put me on the spot now (laughs). Jeez. Maybe ‘Love like you have never loved before’.
JOE: That's beautiful, Nick.
NW: Thanks mate.
BT, proud sponsor of Ulster Rugby, is offering fans the chance to treat their Valentine with an overnight stay for two in the world famous Europa Hotel, and tickets to Ulster V Leinster this May. The winning couple will have their names revealed on BT’s pitchside board at Ravenhill on Friday 14th February at the Ulster V Scarlets match. To enter simply send your name and number along with a note explaining why your Valentine deserves a treat to [email protected]
