The victory, Ulster’s fourth of a great December, condemned Connacht to a first home defeat of the season, but Kiss said it was just typical of Williams to pounce for such a score.
“He really cares about Ulster, the way he performed just speaks volumes of the man,” Kiss said afterwards.
“Nick has been great servant in the time he has been here. He has had to move and he has found another home. Good luck to him, he is a great man.”
Advertisement
The Kiwi squeezed over after centre Luke Marshall was stopped just short after a good move off a scrum inside the 22.
“We did extremely well in terms of getting to that scrum and manipulating the backs. And opening up space for Luke Marshall to nearly get there, and then Nick just puts a big explanation mark on it by scoring,” added Kiss.
Connacht coach Pat Lam was disappointed that their seven-match home winning run was brought to an end in a match where they enjoyed ample possession to take another big scalp.
Kiss and Lam chat pre-match in Galway. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
But his depleted side did not take those chances and fell to a successive defeat for the first time since April, having lost away to Newcastle Falcons in the Challenge Cup the previous week.
Lam believes his men can learn a lot from the game as they prepare to travel and play a Leinster side they have defeated away from home just once in the professional era.
“It was a good game in our rugby education. These derbies, as I said to the boys going into it, they are the closest thing we will get to Test match rugby.
“You come out of those games and you know you have to take your chances.
“We had five academy players out there, so this is a massive learning for them and they will get another opportunity next week,” said Lam.
'Nick has been a great servant and is a great man' - Kiss praises match-winner Williams
ULSTER COACH LES Kiss praised the departing Nick Williams for snatching the crucial to give them victory at the Sportsground last night.
The 32-year old, who announced this week that he is moving to Cardiff Blues at the end of the season, struck two minutes from time for the only try of the game to secure a 10-3 win.
The victory, Ulster’s fourth of a great December, condemned Connacht to a first home defeat of the season, but Kiss said it was just typical of Williams to pounce for such a score.
“He really cares about Ulster, the way he performed just speaks volumes of the man,” Kiss said afterwards.
The Kiwi squeezed over after centre Luke Marshall was stopped just short after a good move off a scrum inside the 22.
“We did extremely well in terms of getting to that scrum and manipulating the backs. And opening up space for Luke Marshall to nearly get there, and then Nick just puts a big explanation mark on it by scoring,” added Kiss.
Connacht coach Pat Lam was disappointed that their seven-match home winning run was brought to an end in a match where they enjoyed ample possession to take another big scalp.
But his depleted side did not take those chances and fell to a successive defeat for the first time since April, having lost away to Newcastle Falcons in the Challenge Cup the previous week.
Lam believes his men can learn a lot from the game as they prepare to travel and play a Leinster side they have defeated away from home just once in the professional era.
“It was a good game in our rugby education. These derbies, as I said to the boys going into it, they are the closest thing we will get to Test match rugby.
“We had five academy players out there, so this is a massive learning for them and they will get another opportunity next week,” said Lam.
Foley’s Munster and Cullen’s Leinster look to relaunch their seasons in Thomond Park
How well do you remember the Rugby World Cup?
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Guinness PRO12 Connacht Les Kiss NICK Williams pat lam Reaction Ulster