Juarno Augustus says Ulster’s focus won’t be divided when they run out at Ravenhill on Friday night.
They face the log-leading Stormers in their penultimate Vodacom URC league-stage clash, with a place in the top eight at stake.
Augustus, who joined Ulster from the Northampton Saints after last season, has scored three tries in 15 outings for the Irish province. The big No 8 put in another typically industrious performance in Ulster’s EPCR Challenge Cup semi-final against Exeter this past weekend, which saw them stamp their ticket to the final in Bilbao.
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But Augustus was quick to put fans at ease that they won’t be distracted by that on Friday night.
“These are important games for us because we are in the middle of the log and we need to win one or two of the next games to qualify. We focus on the Stormers now.”
Augustus believes the home support will again make a difference.
“Thank you to the fans for coming out and supporting us,” he said after Saturday’s win. “We are truly grateful for them and hopefully they can come and support us in the next couple of league games.”
Scrumhalf Nathan Doak underlined the urgency of ending the URC strong, especially with recent home setbacks still fresh.
“We’ve got a big competition in the league to make sure we win through,” he said.
“We’ve lost a few league games at home. The last two games at home are massive for us. We’ll not be taking the foot off the pedal at all.”
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Coach Richie Murphy expects a stern test from a Stormers side known for their physicality and tempo, but insists Ulster are ready for the challenge.
“The focus will firmly switch now. We are back in here on Friday night against the Stormers, which is never easy,” he said.
“They are another big, physical, fast team coming over to try and take us on. But if you had given us this at the start of the year, we would have bitten your hand off.”
Photo: Ryan Byrne/INPHO
The post Trokkie: Ulster firmly zoned in on Stormers appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Juarno Augustus says Ulster’s focus won’t be divided when they run out at Ravenhill on Friday night.
The post Trokkie: Ulster firmly zoned in on Stormers appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
