Lealiifano dashes hopes of extended stay with Ulster
Ulster's Christian Lealiifano has confirmed his intention to return to the Brumbies at the end of his short-team deal at Kingspan Stadium.
There had been optimistic calls from the fans for the out-half to extend his stay, but the 30-year-old this week explained that he will return to Australia in the new year.
"I've definitely really enjoyed my time with the group and being in Belfast, so that's made it tough. There has been a little bit of talk, but I think for all parties involved the best thing is for me to see out the contract and just do what I can for the time being," he said.
Lealiifano came to Belfast shortly after recovering from leukemia, and his time in Northern Ireland was intended to help him recover both physically and mentally.
"I guess physically it's been tough, but it been's a nice sort of shock to put my body through the rigours of rugby again. And to get through all that has mentally given me a sense of pride that I'm enjoying playing again."
"Coming here I didn't know how things would pan out, obviously it was a bit of gamble for me in coming over, and for the team to put so much faith in me. That's something I've really enjoyed, that a team saw that and backed me wholeheartedly, it's definitely made me feel humbled," said Lealiifano.
Ulster resume PRO14 duties on Friday the 24th of November hosting Benneton Treviso.