The Ulster new boy chats to Q Radio Sport ahead of this weekend's season-opener
"Growing up as a kid you're just playing and mucking around" said Piutau "I guess I'm real lucky Jacob [Stockdale] was there to catch it". Charles Piutau calls it 'backyard footie', but whatever you call 'that offload' against Northampton Saints last week, Ulster has already found itself a new fan's favourite.
Piutau on last week's offload:
Scoring one try and creating two more, Piutau electrified the crowd in his first appearance at Kingspan Stadium. Although it may have been a preseason friendly, the signs are that the Kiwi is set to make a huge impact this season. Any indications of needing time to settle in were completely non-evident with Piutau rampant in the full-back position. He credits the club, the City of Belfast and Ulster fans with making the transition easy.
Congrats to @CPiutau who was @CD_Group Man of the Match v @SaintsRugby last night pic.twitter.com/PE7NGwNivR
— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) August 27, 2016
"The Club's been very welcoming and the players and coaches" said Piutau "The city's beautiful, everything's going well". In his first experience with the home Ulster fans, the All-Black also found that Kingspan Stadium more than met his expectations. "I don't know how it feels for the opposite team but it must be pretty daunting." he said "but wearing the Ulster Jersey, it's pretty uplifting."
Piutau on Kingspan:
Piutau was also impressed with his new teammates, praising the competition for places. "There's a lot of healthy competition" he said "there's a lot of good players in the team, pushing each other to bring out the best." Piutau and those new teammates will need to be well on their game this Friday. Newport Gwent Daragons visit the Kingspan
.@CPiutau did a lap of the pitch to meet fans after the game. @OKissy: "He's as good off the pitch as he is on it" pic.twitter.com/GtHwbz6ijx
— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) August 27, 2016
"We really respect them [Dragons] they're a very dangerous squad, they're very physical" said Piutau. "To start off at home, in front of our home fans we're wanting to put on a performace we'll be proud of." If Charles Piutau can deliver anymore "instinctive offloads" against the Dragons, then the Ulster fans are once again, in for a treat.
Piutau on Dragons:
Dragons come to Kingspan on Friday night, Kickoff is at 7:35pm