Rugby

New Zealander Morgan says Ulster is the perfect place to learn as a player

Province’s new fly-half says opportunity to play in Ireland was too good to miss

Pacemaker Press 09-10-2024: Ulster Rugby PRE-MATCH MEDIA BRIEFING at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. Ulster Rugby’s Fly Half Aidan Morgan pictured before the upcoming BKT United Rugby Championship Round 4 fixture against Connacht Rugby. (Saturday 12th October, 8pm) in Belfast. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press.
Ulster fly half Aidan Morgan pictured before the upcoming BKT United Rugby Championship Round 4 fixture against Connacht Rugby. Picture: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press.
By Paul McIntyre

To compliment the vision of how he wanted Ulster to play, head coach Richie Murphy searched the rugby world far and wide for a dynamic and creative out-half that would meet his criteria.

Murphy’s philosophy on the game is based on delivering quick ball from the breakdown, and even quicker ball to the outside backs. So, it was no surprise to anyone that his attention was caught by a flamboyant young New Zealander.

Aidan Morgan is a former All-black Under-20, and he also helped guide Kings College to an Auckland school’s championship in 2019.

After rising through the ranks at Super Rugby franchise, the Hurricanes, Morgan found chances at first-team level limited.

So, when Ulster came knocking on his door, Morgan, after some careful deliberation, decided that this was too good an opportunity to turn down.

New Zealand-born out-half Aidan Morgan will join Ulster in the summer PICTURE: GETTY IMAGES
New Ulster out-half Aidan Morgan who is looking forward to his first inter-provincial derby tonight when Ulster host Connacht at Ravenhill. (Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

“Just on a personal level, I just want to grow my game. How strong the URC competition is, how good Irish rugby is going at the moment,” are just some of the reasons that Morgan cited for his move north.

“I think what makes the competition (URC) so strong is four South African teams who play a certain way and Irish teams will play a slightly different style. And there are so many strong teams in the league and you can’t take anyone for granted.

“So, it was a decision to grow my game and test myself over here and I felt it was something my career needed. I feel like I’ve grown in leaps and bounds since I’ve been here, so looking to carry on throughout the rest of the season.”

Morgan arrives with a reputation of an entertainer and someone who likes to keep his backline on the front-foot. His Ulster career is in its infancy, but he has shown flashes of what he can do. Most notably in last week’s defeat to the Bulls when his cross-field kick to Jacob Stockdale finished with the Ireland international scoring Ulster’s opening try in the 47-21 defeat.

At 23-years-old, Morgan is the first to admit that he is far from the finished article. But, already, after just three games, Morgan has admitted to learning loads from the different styles of play that the URC has to offer.

“I found out in South Africa how important the physicality side of the game is. Against Glasgow, they’re a stacked team full of Scottish internationals as well who you got to be switched on. You got to know your role inside and out. It’s been cool and exciting.”

Tonight, Morgan returns to Ravenhill to sample for himself the atmosphere of an Irish inter-provincial derby for the first-time. And it’s an experience that the Kiwi is looking forward too.

“We know it’s a really big challenge this weekend and the boys are ready to step up here at home at the Kingspan which is a really special place. The last time we were here (against Glasgow) we ground out a really hard victory, so we are looking to do the same.”