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CONFIRMED: Lealiifano heads to Pro14 on short term deal

Australia international Christian Lealiifano will join Ulster on a short-term deal before returning to the Brumbies in January.

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The fly-half, who was diagnosed with leukaemia last year, made his Super Rugby return in July, having revealed earlier in 2017 that he was in remission.

Lealiifano will join up with the Pro14 side ahead of the 2017-18 season and stay until the Champions Cup group stages are over in late January.

He will then return to Australia in time for the 2018 Super Rugby campaign.

“I’d like to thank the Brumbies for allowing me to do this stint abroad,” said Lealiifano, who has 19 caps for the Wallabies, the last of which came against England in June 2016.

“I’m really excited to be joining up with Ulster Rugby and I’m looking forward to getting out there in front of the supporters at Kingspan Stadium.

“I can’t wait to experience the rugby and the culture in Belfast.”

“This is a massive boost for us as we approach the start of the season,” added Ulster director of rugby Les Kiss.

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“It was paramount that we signed an experienced player to give us another option at fly-half and this is a fantastic solution for us.

“Christian has the playing talent, the leadership ability and the personality to make a big impact here. He has overcome significant challenges in his career and that is testament to his bravery and strong character.”

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Nickers 18 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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