Johan Muller named Ulster Captain for 2011/2012

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/9580.php

Ulster Rugby today confirmed Johan Muller will take over the Captaincy for 2011/12. Muller recently extended his contract by a year and made a big impression in his debut season, Captaining the side when Rory Best was away on international duty. Given Best will miss a number of games this season due to the World Cup, Irish Player Management Programme and Six Nations I think the decision is a good one. Muller is the most natural leader at the club, having formerly Captained Natal Sharks and the Springboks in their third test against the British and Irish Lions in 2009.

Very good call IMO. Top lad.

They must be sure enough that, Muller won't be going to the World, or they may have kept Best as Club captain. It makes sense to have a more constant Captain for the season.

Onward and Upward for Ulster this year.

I was thinking about this season and the 4 most important games are in League Leinster and Munster at home (it'll show a big improvement if we can beat them both at home and some improvement if we can beat one)

and in h-cup Leicester and Cermont Auvergne at home

Good descision. I think Muller was fantastic last year and it's clear he commands massive respect from the other players and is a great leader.

It will allow Rory to just focus on his game too.

right call. Not being harsh on rory at all but Johann was (imo) the pack leader last year. Awesome player

He does seem like more of a leader than Best.

Hope he helps Ulster kick on this year would love to see them consolodate on last years performances

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:He does seem like more of a leader than Best.

I think Best is a good leader in that he is passionate and inspirational in the way he plays. He's still a leader and talisman within the side but if we were under the cosh I know who I'd be looking towards for inspiration.

I think Rory can go off the boil at times and Muller provides a bit more off a steadying influence and with so many young players then thats what we need. Thats just my pennysworth though.

Muller has a real presence about him too and seems to read the game well.

Rory Best is a good Captain, a leader, and a big personality around the changing room but Muller is the kind of guy you'd go to war with if he asked.

Rather than start a new thread i thought i would post the team for Neath in here


Ulster (15-9):Peter Nelson; Michael Allen, Christopher Farrell, Luke Marshall, Craig Gilroy; Patrick Jackson, Ian Porter
(1-8): Paddy McAllister, John Burns, Jerry Cronin, Lewis Stevenson (capt), Neil McComb, Michael McComish, Willie Faloon, Robbie Diack
Replacements (16-23): Andrew Warwick, Callum Black, Adam Macklin, James Simpson, Ali Birch, Blane McIlroy, Stuart Olding, Conor Gaston.


Really young team but still no sign of Tuohy sadly. Good to see Mcallister, Marshall, Jackson and Gilroy all starting though.

I've just started a new thread actually.

A good call. He did wonders for Ulster lineout last year. A real leader.