Ulster Rugby name former Springboks international lock Johann Muller as captain for 2011-12 season
Irish professional Rugby Union outfit, Ulster Rugby, has announced the former Springboks international second row forward, Johann Muller, as their captain for their 2011-12 domestic and European season’s campaign.
The club has confirmed the appointment of Muller as the captain, in a statement released on their website on Monday, August 15.
Commenting on his appointment as the captain, Muller said, “It’s obviously a great honour for me and I’m really excited and looking forward to a great challenge in 2011-12. I think it’s going to be a much tougher season, a lot of pressure and a lot responsibility
as well and I’m excited about that.”
Muller earned his captaincy, after spending just a season with the club. His exceptional performance has helped him to make his name in the Irish rugby circuit. Besides winning the Ulster Rugby’s Personality of the Year Award for 2011, he was also given
an extension in his current contract, which will keep him at the club until the end of the 2012-13 season.
Muller has taken over the captaincy role form the Ulster’s hooker Rory Best. Muller has expressed his confidence that he can take on this challenging role.
Muller termed the 2011-12 season as a tough season. He added that the in the first part of the season most of seniors and experienced players will not be available for the club, as they will represent their countries in this year’s mega event.
Muller further has expressed his hope that he can bring around a positive change in the mindset of players to given every game the same importance.
He further added, “The big challenge not only for me as captain but the whole squad, the management and coaching staff is to make the step up.”
The 31-year-old Muller started his professional rugby union career with the South African provincial Rugby Union side, Natal Sharks in 2001. In 2002, he made his Super Rugby debut for the Sharks and remained there until the end of the 2010 Super Rugby Season.
A Mossel Bay born, Muller joined the Ulster Rugby at the start of their 2010-11 campaign. He made his Ulster’s debut against the Ospreys on September 9. In total, he made 26 appearances for Ulster, and spent 2027 minutes on the field for them in the last
season.
Muller made his international debut for the Springboks in 2006 against the touring Scotland’s side. Earlier he also represented the South African at the under 19s level. He played 23 international games for the Springboks and had the honour to captain the
Springboks sides in an international test against the All Blacks.
Muller will be looking forward to win the title in the 2011/12 season, particularly with the inclusion of the new players to strengthen their squad for next season. The new signings of the club includes Auckland Blues duo of Jared Payne and John Afoa, Lewis
Stevenson, Callum Black and Mike McCormish.
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