FRIENDS REUNITED FOR SPEIGHT’S ULSTER FAREWELL
Pro14: Connacht Ulster Tomorrow, Sportsground, 7.35pm
v HE’S made quite the impression since signing for Ulster, but Henry Speight has been on Andy Friend’s radar for a long time.
It was a meeting at Auckland airport that convinced Speight to sign for Friend’s Brumbies in 2011 and the Connacht coach (right) has well aware his former player is clearly enjoying his time in Ulster.
Three tries in his 11 games show that the Australian international fitted in well in Dan Mcfarland’s set-up, and Friend will have him well marked tomorrow night - his last game for Ulster before he returns to Brumbies on 31 December.
“He is one hell of an athlete. He is very quick and very powerful and sees the game really well,” said Friend.
“What I loved when watching him against Scarlets was when (Iain) Henderson scores that second try. Who’s up his backside pushing him over the line: Henry Speight. That’s just a footballers instinct to see that, driving a big man through another big man to score that try.
“He is a great signing for them I’m just watching him at the moment you can see he’s enjoying his time up there.”
It was Louis Ludik’s injury that prompted Ulster to sign Speight in the Super Rugby off-season, but it was by chance that he crossed Friend’s path.
“I was watching Christian Leali’ifano who was playing for Waikato. This young boy came on the wing and every time he got the footie he seemed to make a line break. I asked if he’d like to play for the Brumbies. Six weeks later he signed for us.”