ROBBIE DIACK COULD be coming in to the new rugby season as a changed man.
Departures and retirements have made him not only a clear first choice on Ulster’s blindside, but also make the 28-year-old one of the more senior members of the pack.
He’s an international now too.
“The whole experience was awesome,” Diack says of his sole cap for Ireland in the first Test win over Argentina.
“The whole build-up to the week after getting in the squad and Joe naming of the side on the Monday - The excitement was intense.”
Perhaps, just a pinch too intense. Diack had an impressive debut with 10 tackles, 12 carries and five line-out takes. But an early missed try-scoring opportunity ensured it was solid rather than spectacular. That may have been a simple of opening night jitters; out of the system now.
“It was quite a long week building up to the game, trying to stay healthy, not get injured during training because I didn’t want to disrupt my chance of getting a first cap.
“To play the full game, I was happy with the way that I played personally and to win the game was fantastic. It’s a moment and a game that I won’t forget.”
“The game itself, I thoroughly enjoyed it, but it went by in a flash,” he added.
“The game itself, [which ended 17 -29 to the tourists] it was fast and it was physical, but if did fly by. It went by in a flash and I was just really excited about getting that first cap. I’ve always wanted to get that first cap and now I’ve got a desire and ambition to get more and more from here on in.
“So I’m going to keep working hard, keep playing well for Ulster and cement my spot in the Ulster side and give myself the best opportunity going forward.”
No change there then. Diack begins the new season without airs or graces, only a desire to improve and put in a shift wherever he’s needed for his team.
Soft
Ulster, from the outside at least, must see such solidity as invaluable in times of such change. Not that the abrupt departure of a director of rugby, head coach and half a pack is would make the 28-year-old back row flinch.
“If from the outside looking in it looks like turmoil, it couldn’t be further from that,” South African says in a softening South African accent as he gives a steady look.
“The system and setup we have here at the moment is fantastic and the way the players came in on day one for pre-season; we all knew there was going to be a bit of a reshuffle, but we all knew that Les Kiss would be the interim coach and we all knew what the coaching staff would be.
“So it’s fantastic here. There’s a great mood with our squad and there’s a great ambition to do well this season within the squad. We’ve had a good pre-season, but we all know pre-seasons don’t win you trophies. It’s all about how you perform during the season and we’re just looking forward to that starting now.”
