Official: Lealiifano joins Ulster on loan

Brumbies star Christian Lealiifano will continue his return to rugby with a loan spell at Irish Province Ulster in the newly reformed PRO14 competition.

 
Lealiifano, who was diagnosed with leukemia less than a year ago, and undertook a bone marrow transplant in October 2016, was back on a rugby field for the first time in July when he was named as a replacement in the Brumbies Austbrokers Canberra Cup win in Singapore.

 
Playing just over twenty minutes in the 61-14 win over the Asia Pacific Dragons, the fly-half managed to land five conversions and looked sharp in attack and robust in defense.

 
Continuing his recuperation with a forty-minute cameo from the bench in the Super Rugby Quarter Final against the Hurricanes, Lealiifano is setting his goal to return fully to Super Rugby in 2018.

 
A short loan spell, (five months) in Ireland, and some competitive rugby, will enable the pivot, who has 796 points for the Brumbies, to get more minutes under his belt ahead of the club’s pre-season campaign.

 
"I am looking forward to the challenge of playing for Ulster in the PRO14 on this short-term loan deal," Lealiifano said of his European sojourn.
 
“Having missed almost an entire season whilst recovering, I feel that it’s important that I get some minutes playing competitive rugby ahead of the 2018 Super Rugby season and Ulster have provided a great environment for me to do that.
 
“They are a well-respected club and are genuine challengers for the PRO14 title. I have heard good things about the set-up there and am looking forward to working with the Ulster coaching team and squad.
 
Brumbies Head Coach Dan McKellar believes that the loan spell will be a definite bonus to Lealiifano come the start of the new campaign.
 
“We see a real benefit for Christian in joining Ulster for a brief period both on and off the field,” McKellar said.

Welcome to Ulster @CLealiifano 👌 pic.twitter.com/fffJwbqpCg

— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) August 21, 2017

Les Kiss, Ulster's Director of Rugby, was delighted to welcome Lealiifano on board:

"This is a massive boost for us as we approach the start of the season. It was paramount that we signed an experienced player to give us another option at flyhalf and this is a fantastic solution for us.

"Christian has the playing talent, the leadership ability and the personality to make a big impact here. He has overcome significant challenges in his career and that is testament to his bravery and strong character.