Ulster boss angered by grumblings in Durban after match postponement

Ulster boss Dan McFarland has responded strongly to grumblings in South Africa after the Northern Irishmen pulled out of this last weekend’s fixture – against the Sharks in Durban – for health reasons, resulting in a postponement of the match. 

Gastroenteritis ripped through the Ulster squad during their stay in Durban. In a statement, Ulster said that 29 players and 13 support staff were struck down with the illness which forced the postponement of the game at Kings Park. 

“Independent medical testing confirmed both E. coli and Norovirus in tested samples,” the statement said. “All precautionary medical, nutritional, and Public Health advice was adhered to prior to any member of the travelling group falling ill.” 

“It is disappointing, especially given how unwell our group was, that some chose to question the reasoning for our game to be postponed, as we have invested a lot as a group and an organisation in getting this fixture played,” McFarland said. 

The coach’s comments were in response, partly, to the Sharks’ USA-based owner, Marco Masotti, describing the postponement as a joke and stating that the Sharks should have been awarded the points for the match. 

Interestingly, Edinburgh Rugby were also based in Durban before their match against the Lions and suffered from the same illnesses as Ulster, although they were not in the same hotel. The beaches in Durban have been declared a health risk at the moment with complications pertaining to the city’s sewer works which has had an adverse effect on the seawater. In light of this, the public has been repeatedly warned against swimming at the beaches, and Ulster and Edinburgh both deny partaking in such an activity. 

“With players and staff now recovering, we are focused on getting home to start preparations for our upcoming fixture at Thomond Park,” added McFarland.