Stepping into the colossal boots left by Springbok legends Duane Vermeulen and Marcell Coetzee at Ulster, Juarno Augustus is not just filling them; he's ready to sprint. The South African dynamo, a transfer from Northampton, has bounced back from an ankle setback that sidelined him for three months, marking his return with a sensational performance that snagged him the Man of the Match title in Ulster's 40-19 dismantling of Edinburgh at Hive Stadium. This victory catapulted Ulster to second place in the Vodacom URC standings, albeit briefly, as they later slipped to third following a Stormers victory.
The former Stormers powerhouse, now fully recovered and rearing to go, is setting his sights on the upcoming intense Belfast derby against a red-hot Connacht at Ravenhill Stadium. "I am happy to be back. It means a lot," Augustus shared post-match, reflecting on his journey back to peak fitness. "I've worked a bit on my fitness. I base my game on physicality and carrying and tackling, so that's what I want to try and bring to the team. I am just happy that I can give my best and try and help the team."
"I spoke to [Marcell Coetzee] last year before I came over and he couldn’t stop talking about the good things the club has done and what it can achieve in the next couple of years,"
Augustus explained how a pep talk with Coetzee helped cement his decision to join Ulster, with aspirations of lifting some silverware in the near future. "I just want to get the best out of myself for the three years I will be here. I will do whatever I can to try to help the team get some silverware. I have a feeling it is not that far away. The potential in this team is unreal."
The match against Edinburgh showcased Ulster's resilience, especially after trailing 19-14 at halftime. Augustus recounted the halftime rally that spurred their dominant second-half performance. "The message at half-time was just to stay consistent and do everything with intent – tackle with intent, run with intent – and then just get the ball to our backs because they are incredible. We knew if we just stuck to our roles and did what we do best, we could win the game and we did that. The second half was good. It’s a good win for us, so hopefully we can keep building on that and take it forward."
Ulster coach Richie Murphy didn't hold back praise for Augustus' impactful return, stating, "With Juarno coming back, we had no intention of playing him for 80, but that’s what happens sometimes and he rolled his sleeves up. He’s a really good ball-carrier." As Ulster continues to navigate the highs and lows of the season, Augustus' presence is a towering beacon of hope and aggression, possibly steering the team towards much-coveted glory.
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Stepping into the colossal boots left by Springbok legends Duane Vermeulen and Marcell Coetzee at Ulster, Juarno Augustus is not just filling them; he's ready to sprint. The South African dynamo, a transfer from Northampton, has bounced back from an ankle setback that sidelined him for three months, marking his return with a sensational performance that snagged him the Man of the Match title in Ulster's 40-19 dismantling of Edinburgh at Hive Stadium. This victory catapulted Ulster to second place in the Vodacom URC standings, albeit briefly, as they later slipped to third following a Stormers victory.
The former Stormers powerhouse, now fully recovered and rearing to go, is setting his sights on the upcoming intense Belfast derby against a red-hot Connacht at Ravenhill Stadium. "I am happy to be back. It means a lot," Augustus shared post-match, reflecting on his journey back to peak fitness. "I've worked a bit on my fitness. I base my game on physicality and carrying and tackling, so that's what I want to try and bring to the team. I am just happy that I can give my best and try and help the team."
"I spoke to [Marcell Coetzee] last year before I came over and he couldn’t stop talking about the good things the club has done and what it can achieve in the next couple of years,"
Augustus explained how a pep talk with Coetzee helped cement his decision to join Ulster, with aspirations of lifting some silverware in the near future. "I just want to get the best out of myself for the three years I will be here. I will do whatever I can to try to help the team get some silverware. I have a feeling it is not that far away. The potential in this team is unreal."
The match against Edinburgh showcased Ulster's resilience, especially after trailing 19-14 at halftime. Augustus recounted the halftime rally that spurred their dominant second-half performance. "The message at half-time was just to stay consistent and do everything with intent – tackle with intent, run with intent – and then just get the ball to our backs because they are incredible. We knew if we just stuck to our roles and did what we do best, we could win the game and we did that. The second half was good. It’s a good win for us, so hopefully we can keep building on that and take it forward."
Ulster coach Richie Murphy didn't hold back praise for Augustus' impactful return, stating, "With Juarno coming back, we had no intention of playing him for 80, but that’s what happens sometimes and he rolled his sleeves up. He’s a really good ball-carrier." As Ulster continues to navigate the highs and lows of the season, Augustus' presence is a towering beacon of hope and aggression, possibly steering the team towards much-coveted glory.