Johann Muller for Ulster?

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

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http://thefru.co.uk/blog/2009/12/24/johann...ler-for-ulster/

Well my morning Twit review has brought some interesting news on Ulster’s proposed “South African second row†signing. According to Afrikanns news source Nuus24 the 6’7†112kg Natal Shark Johann Muller is a firm favourite to join Ulster next season.

It is believed that Ulster are currently in negotiations with the Sharks to release Muller from next season’s Currie Cup commitments which would make the 25 capped Springbok available from the end of May, once all S14 fixtures have been completed.

Muller has not yet signed a contract with Ulster, but there is little to prevent the Bokke lock from joining his old Sharks teammate BJ Botha in Belfast.

Muller is not in the Bokke coach de Villiers’s plans and was surprisingly not even in the squad for the world champions European adventure. Time is no longer on Muller’s side as he approaches 30 and it is understandable that in the last few years of his career he should look for a better pay day!

Muller was not available for comment yesterday, but it is believed that he will play for the Sharks in the Super 14 before moving and will continue to remain available for the Bokkes though it is unlikely that De Villiers will look in his direction.

Muller’s last test was against the B&I Lions in Johannesburg.[/b]

He'd be an excellent signing. Ulster need to add some beef to their tight 5 and Muller would bring that in spades. His experience captaining the Sharks would be invaluable to an Ulster side who need more leaders to help their abundance of talented young players. It might light a fire under Ryan Caldwell's ass and get him performing as well as he can again. Muller, Tuohy, O'Donoghue, Caldwell and McCullough would be an excellent 2nd row rotation.

Add a new fullback, scrumhalf, backup flyhalf and backup tighthead to Muller's possible signing and Ulster begin to look very strong.

 

[MunsterMan]

Ulster's squad is very young anyway, Ferris, Henry, Pollock, Faloon, Whitten, Trimble, Cave etc. all first team regulars under 25, if they can add to the areas you mentioned the next 5 years look very promising.

 

[Bullitt]

Wasn't he a touring car driver in the 90's?

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MunsterMan @ Dec 24 2009, 06:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Ulster's squad is very young anyway, Ferris, Henry, Pollock, Faloon, Whitten, Trimble, Cave etc. all first team regulars under 25, if they can add to the areas you mentioned the next 5 years look very promising.[/b]

He's been outstanding of late. Getting the captaincy on a rotational basis has been the making of him.

 

[Steve-o]

He might be the Sharks captain but I've never liked Muller. However if he leaves we'll be looking a bit thin with experience in our locks. Albert van den Berg will probably take the number 5 jersey and he is around 33-34 now, with his likely sub to be the 20 year old Alister Hargreaves. Steven Sykes is only around 24 and is showing great progress so the number 4 jersey covered. But anyway Muller will do a club like Ulster well, he's a good provincial player but his international career has stagnanted along with ability. Plus he stands in the backline and ALWAYS butchers an overlap, f**ks me off something terrible! :lol:

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

The rumour has been picked up by the Beeb:


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http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/8464948.stm

Ulster are expected to confirm next week the signing of South African lock Johann Muller on a two-year deal.

The abrasive Muller made the last of his 23 appearances for South Africa against the Lions during the summer.

Muller will link up with his former Springbok and Sharks colleague BJ Botha who has intimated that he will be staying with Ulster.

Ulster are still believed to be in talks with Cardiff's former New Zealand number eight Xavier Rush.

It is well known that Cardiff's impressive back-row forward was in the province a few weeks ago and that talks involving him moving to Ravenhill were well advanced.

However, it is believed that the Welsh club are keen to hang on to the 32-year-old eight-times capped All Black who has been a key player since his arrival five seasons ago.

With Isaac Boss on the move to Leinster at the end of the season, Ulster are also on the search for top-class international scrum-half replacement.

Ulster had preliminary talks with former Scotland captain Mike Blair who is out of contract with Edinburgh, but it appears negotiations have cooled somewhat.

Sale's Welsh international Dwayne Peel was also on Ulster's radar but he is expected to be heading back to the Scarlets.

South African Ruan Pienaar, a Sharks' utility back who has played both half-back positions and worn the number 15 jersey, has also been contacted but his financial demands could rule him out.

However, the signing of the hard-nosed 29-year-old Muller will add a bit of ballast to the Ulster squad.

His athletic ability in the line-out and his sheer physical presence will be seen as a shrewd piece of head-hunting by Ulster's respected Operations Manager David Humphreys who flew out to Durban recently.

Muller is at present part of the Sharks' Super 14 side, although he has conceded the captaincy of the side to Springbok skipper John Smit.

It appears Ulster have agreed the release of Muller from any Currie Cup obligations and he will arrive after the Super 14 campaign at the end of May.

Ulster are also negotiating with the Scottish Rugby Union regarding Simon Danielli's contract which is due to expire at the end of the season.

The in-form left winger is married to a local girl and is very keen to remain in the province and an international contract from the SRU would help ease the financial burden on Ulster.

Ireland trio Rory Best, Tom Court and Paddy Wallace are in still negotiating IRFU contracts, however, it is expected that they will confirm their continued association with Ulster soon.[/b]