Steinmetz ready to go

By Jim Stokes
BBC Sport

Steinmetz broke his leg against the Borders last May

Ulster's New Zealand centre Paul Steinmetz will be ready to start his second season with the province.

Despite breaking his leg in a Celtic League tie against the Borders at the end of May, he is targeting next month for a comeback.

''It has been very frustrating the past few months having a cast on for the holidays,'' said the former Highlander.

''I have been doing a lot of aerobic stuff like cycling and rowing. But hopefully I can move on from now.''

Steinmetz is now awaiting the thumbs up this week for the next stage of his rehabilitation when he starts running again.

''The medical boys are now trying to get the ankle right. I haven't starting running as yet as we want to get the full movement of the joint back to what it was.

''But I expect to starting running again very soon indeed.

''In fact, I think they are looking at another three weeks when I can start the real physical stuff again. After that I should be ready for the new season which I'm really looking forward to.

''Everyone is very keen what with the new coaching set-up and they really can't wait to the new season. We have had some good training sessions that were sharp and intense and everyone is really fizzing.''

Steinmetz has now got used to the different culture and lifestyle north of the equator, although the weather still causes a few problems.

Our game may even get better and change with the new coaches Paul Steinmetz

''I have really enjoyed myself in Northern Ireland, even more than I thought I would,'' he said.

''The people are pretty hospitable and players are tremendous when a foreign player arrives and making them feel welcome.

''There are similarities between back home and here with the fresh air and the sea,'' said Steinmetz a keen angler.

''I didn't know what to expect because you can only go on what you hear about the bad things in the news of Belfast.

''But as I found that it was only when you come here that you actually realise that it's a beautiful place with great people and smashing scenery.

''But the weather is a lot tougher, particularly out on the park. Playing rugby throughout the whole of the winter is tough.

''Back home,the Super 12 series was played through the summer when the ground was hard and the ball was easy to handle.''

It was rugby that the single-minded Kiwi came for, and he thrives in the brand of rugby that Ulster play.

''Yes, I have enjoyed the rugby here, and our game may even get better and change with the new coaches.

''They plan to bring a few new things in which is very exciting.

''The way the game is organised here and the set-up at Ulster is getting closer to the way it is run back home.

Steinmetz says that new Ulster coach Mark McCall has fresh ideas

''A couple of years ago Ulster were being left for dead. There is still a lot more around in the Super 12, and the province's set-up still has a way to go.

''But what I can see from Ulster's point of view, they are striving to take things to the next level, and that can only be a good thing.''

Steinmetz also spoke of his possible link-up in the Ulster midfield with new signing Kevin Maggs.

''I don't know what's gong to happen there. Kevin plays inside centre and I haven't played outside.

"So there is going to be a lot of competition,'' said Steinmetz who also played at fly-half in the Super 12.

''It's tough at the top. At least some of us may get a break. I played 22 games on the trot last season before I got my leg broken.''

New coach Mark McCall may have something to say about that.