RUGBY: Ulster set for Italian challenge
ULSTER outhalf, Niall O'Connor, promised to improve his goal kicking record this weekend having returned a 66 per cent return in the 27-26 victory over The Ospreys.
He is not getting hung up about missing three attempts from nine at goal, but he admits he was disappointed that two of his first half efforts did not go over.
"Two of the three kicks by my standard were 'easy' and the other was a long range effort," said O'Connor.
While his opposite number, Ospreys' Dan Biggar, kicked six from six, it was O'Connor's 70th minute kick which was to secure the 27-26 win for Ulster, therefore while the stats are there to be seen, the fact of the matter is O'Connor nailed the important kick when he had too.
And it was not a straight-forward kick in front of the posts. Wide on the right and 40metres out, O'Connor held his composure to nudge Ulster ahead.
"I was certainly happy that kick went over and it made up for the disappointment of missing the others.
"Maybe if it had been in the last minute of the game, I would have felt a bit more pressure, but I knew there was still plenty of time left so I was perhaps a little more comfortable over the ball."
At the end of last season, Ulster and Ospreys served up a ding-dong battle, with the Welsh region going on to win 38-27, a bonus point victory which also secured their place in the play-offs before going on to lift the Magners League title.
"If you look back at that game and then look at last week's game, we have shown that we can grind out a win.
"It is probably fair to say a close game like that was one we would have come out on the wrong side of last season.
"But for us to get ourselves into a leading position and then hold on to it reflects that we have learned and it is going to be something we will probably have to repeat on more than one occasion this season.
"It was so important for us to win last week. We know the performance was not as good as we would have liked, but we showed great character and determination to grind out the win.
"Winning the first game of a new campaign is important, as it builds confidence, particularly when playing against last season's champions.
"We were at home as well, and it is important to put down a marker at Ravenhill.
"And with the win against Leeds in the warm-up game the previous week, it gives us the chance to build momentum.
"Winning last week was vitally important going into what is going to be another huge challenge in Italy this week."
Aironi may be a new name to the Magners League and indeed, Italian Rugby, given it is a new franchise, but Ulster were able to look at their performance against Munster in Cork last Saturday and at least get an idea of what they can come up against this Saturday evening.
O'Connor said: "We saw bits and pieces from the video and there is no doubt it is going to be a tough one. But it is no tougher than last week and it will be a similar type of opposition.
"Aironi are physical and strong so we are under no illusions. It is a matter of making sure we turn up with the right attitude and get the job done again."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 11 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
