Harrison Unveiled As New Ulster Signing

Australian lock Justin Harrison admitted he was looking forward to “something totally different” as he was unveiled as Ulster’s newest signing on Monday.

Harrison, 34-times capped by Australia, has been a mainstay of Wallaby rugby for the past ten years, playing with the ACT Brumbies, and most recently the NSW Waratahs.

Having penned a three-year contract with Ulster, the Sydney-born forward is now eyeing up success in the Northern Hemisphere, but was quick to play down any chances of preferential treatment for the province’s new arrival.

“I will have to work as hard as any other player to be sure of my place in the team,” insisted the 6ft 9in Harrison at his Belfast press conference.

“It was an easy decision to come here. I want to experience the whole picture that rugby can offer. For the past 10 years I have seen plenty of bus routes and training paddocks. Ulster are a pro outfit who can also offer me a doorway to Europe.

Harrison, who made his Test debut against the British & Irish Lions in 2001, added: “Along with coach Mark McCall and the backroom staff, I hope can help improve and change the fortunes for Ulster.

“There are a number of young players here and I feel I can offer them something. Knowledge is only as good as the person listening to it. But I think I have something worthwhile to say. I am just looking forward to my own rugby learning journey being completed.”

Banned for three games last March for being found guilty of racially slurring South African player Chumani Booi during a Super 12 tie, Harrison is eager to quash memories of that event.

“There is no adequate explanation for what I did but it is a period in my life that I am enormously remorseful about and now I’m looking forward to projecting a positive image of Ulster Rugby.”

The second of McCall’s Southern Hemisphere signings after former New Zealand Under-19 scrum-half Isaac Boss, Harrison could make his Ravenhill bow in the August 19 pre-season friendly against London Irish.