TIGHTHEAD PROP RODNEY Ah You hopes his interprovincial transfer from Connacht to Ulster will help bolster his international aspirations.
The 27-year-old, who signed for Connacht from Canterbury in his native New Zealand in 2010, qualified to represent Ireland on the residency rule three years ago.
“Earning the number three shirt week-in, week-out for Ulster is the aim at the moment,” Ah You told the42.
“But ultimately, it would be great to get the green jersey back on again, that is top of the list. I would like to perform on the international stage again, and I think I can with hard work in training and good performances.”
Ah You, who can also operate on the other side of the scrum, won his first Ireland cap on the tour of Argentina in 2014, but feels the upcoming Autumn internationals may come too early for him.
However, should he be called upon, Ah You would relish the opportunity to come up against his homeland.
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“At the moment it is too soon, I’m not quite where I need to be.
“But to play the All Blacks would be the biggest-ever game of my career. I wanted to play for them but it didn’t work out, and I would have mixed emotions.
“But to face the haka would motivate me even more to make history.”
Ah You feels the claiming a place in Ireland's Six Nations squad is a realistic ambition. AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
Ah You was dogged by several injury setbacks during his six-year spell with Connacht, but the former New Zealand U20 international feels he can’t afford to go into any game with the worry of picking up another knock.
“I can’t think about injuries. If you play half-hearted it won’t work, you’ll just end up getting injured again.”
The Wellington-born forward is also hoping that Ulster’s Director of Rugby Les Kiss, will have a similar impact on his development as Pat Lam had during his time with the Westerners, and Ah You can see similarities between the two coaches.
“I enjoy playing for him (Les Kiss). He is very approachable with his open door policy. He has a very positive outlook.”
“In some ways he is similar to Pat Lam, he is very clinical in his little details and each player knows their exact role before they enter the field.”
Ulster, who have started the season with wins over Newport Gwent Dragons and then Trevisio last weekend, face a Scarlets team on Friday eager to get their first point on the board.
But should Ah You keep himself fit in a successful Ulster side, he could give Ireland coach Joe Schmidt a very welcome problem.
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'It would be great to get the green jersey back on again, that is top of the list' - Rodney Ah You
TIGHTHEAD PROP RODNEY Ah You hopes his interprovincial transfer from Connacht to Ulster will help bolster his international aspirations.
The 27-year-old, who signed for Connacht from Canterbury in his native New Zealand in 2010, qualified to represent Ireland on the residency rule three years ago.
“Earning the number three shirt week-in, week-out for Ulster is the aim at the moment,” Ah You told the42.
“But ultimately, it would be great to get the green jersey back on again, that is top of the list. I would like to perform on the international stage again, and I think I can with hard work in training and good performances.”
Ah You, who can also operate on the other side of the scrum, won his first Ireland cap on the tour of Argentina in 2014, but feels the upcoming Autumn internationals may come too early for him.
However, should he be called upon, Ah You would relish the opportunity to come up against his homeland.
“At the moment it is too soon, I’m not quite where I need to be.
“But to play the All Blacks would be the biggest-ever game of my career. I wanted to play for them but it didn’t work out, and I would have mixed emotions.
“But to face the haka would motivate me even more to make history.”
Ah You was dogged by several injury setbacks during his six-year spell with Connacht, but the former New Zealand U20 international feels he can’t afford to go into any game with the worry of picking up another knock.
“I can’t think about injuries. If you play half-hearted it won’t work, you’ll just end up getting injured again.”
The Wellington-born forward is also hoping that Ulster’s Director of Rugby Les Kiss, will have a similar impact on his development as Pat Lam had during his time with the Westerners, and Ah You can see similarities between the two coaches.
“I enjoy playing for him (Les Kiss). He is very approachable with his open door policy. He has a very positive outlook.”
“In some ways he is similar to Pat Lam, he is very clinical in his little details and each player knows their exact role before they enter the field.”
Ulster, who have started the season with wins over Newport Gwent Dragons and then Trevisio last weekend, face a Scarlets team on Friday eager to get their first point on the board.
But should Ah You keep himself fit in a successful Ulster side, he could give Ireland coach Joe Schmidt a very welcome problem.
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Green eyed monster Pro12 Rodney Ah You Rugby Ulster