Ulster's squad reaction to the news of Coetzee's departure
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Ulster flyhalf Ian Madigan spoke about the impending departure of his teammate Marcell Coetzee following the news that the Springbok back-rower would be leaving the Province to join the Bulls on a three-year deal at the end of the season.
Speaking on the House of Rugby Ireland, Madigan spoke about the speech Coetzee made to the entire squad before the announcement was made official.
"Certainly, it’s disappointing for the players and for all the supporters," Madigan said.
"The reason it’s disappointing is because he has been such a good player, and he’s been so good for Ulster over the last few years.
"Marcell came in, during the week, and he asked to speak to the player group. He stepped up and spoke really well, and he gave his reasons why he wanted to go home. And I think it’s really important to note, he is going home. He’s going back to his home country to play for a club in South Africa.
"It's been tough, especially through the last year and the lockdowns. Being away from home, away from family. Guys relate to that, and Marcell was straight up with the group, which we all really respected. And he gave his reasons.
"The energy he brings, across the board, in training every day… every time in games, he’s the guy that is leading from the front. So the respect we have for him is through the roof.
"Generally, when a player gets up and announces he’s leaving, it’s kind of a stoned silence and then you move on with the meeting. But he got a seriously big round of applause, which I thought was a lovely touch. But it was also a measure of the man that he is and the respect that he had within the group. And even afterwards, with guys going up and hugging him and saying, ‘Let’s make the most of this season and really enjoy that. Let’s not focus on any of the negatives that might be out there'."
