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Ex-All Black Alby Mathewson signs for Ulster

(Photo by Ross Land/Getty Images)

Former All Black Alby Mathewson has landed himself a one-year deal at Ulster for next season.

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The 34-year-old exited Munster last November after a series of short-term contracts at the club ran out once Conor Murray returned from Ireland’s World Cup campaign.  

However, such was the impression he made on Irish rugby fans during his season and a half stint in Limerick that the IRFU have now sanctioned a move to Ulster next July. 

The scrum-half will bring a wealth of experience with him gained from time spent at clubs such as the Hurricanes, the Blues, Western Force, Bristol and Toulon prior to joining Munster.

Ulster boss Dan McFarland: “We are delighted that a player of Alby’s quality is set to join the squad.

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“His leadership skills and extensive experience will be a valuable addition to our squad – especially for our younger scrum-halves as they progress in their development journeys in the months ahead. We look forward to giving him a warm welcome as he makes Ulster his new team.”

Ulster’s first-choice scrum-half John Cooney has been providing back-up to Murray at Test level this month under Andy Farrell after making an initial breakthrough under Joe Schmidt. 

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Bull Shark 3 hours ago
Rassie Erasmus' Boks selection policy is becoming bizarre

To be fair, the only thing that drives engagement on this site is over the top critiques of Southern Hemisphere teams.


Or articles about people on podcasts criticizing southern hemisphere teams.


Articles regarding the Northern Hemisphere tend to be more positive than critical. I guess to also rile up kiwis and Saffers who seem to be the majority of followers in the comments section. There seems to be a whole department dedicated to Ireland’s world ranking news.


Despite being dialled into the Northern edition - I know sweet fokall about what’s going on in France.


And even less than fokall about what’s cutting in Japan - which has a fast growing, increasingly premium League competition emerging.


And let’s not talk about the pacific. Do they even play rugby Down there.


Oh and the Americas. I’ve read more articles about a young, stargazing Welshman’s foray into NFL than I have anything related to either the north and south continents of the Americas.


I will give credit that the women’s game is getting decent airtime. But for the rest and the above; it’s just pathetic coming from a World Rugby website.


Just consider the innovation emerging in Japan with the pedigree of coaches over there.


There’s so much good we could be reading.


Instead it’s unimaginative “critical for the sake of feigning controversial”. Which is lazy, because in order to pull that off all you need to be really good at is:


1. Being a doos;

2. Having an opinion.


No prior experience needed.


Which is not journalism. That’s like all or most of us in the comments section. People like Finn (who I believe is a RP contributor).


Anyway. Hopefully it will get better. The game is growing and the interest in the game is growing. Maybe it will attract more qualified journalists over time.

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