From humble beginnings Nick Williams has gone on to become one of the standout performers and most recognisable characters in the Guinness PRO12.
Hailing from Auckland, New Zealand, Nick made a name for himself at Auckland Blues and represented New Zealand at U21 and Junior All Black level, before moving to Europe in 2008 to join Munster. In his first season he helped the Southern Province secure the PRO12 title in his debut season. After two years at Munster, Nick moved to Italy and spent a further two years at Aironi before returning to Ireland and joining Ulster in June 2012. Nick became an immediate sensation at Ulster and was awarded the PRO12 Player of the Year in his first season here. The big number 8 has continued to be the driving force of the Ulster pack, his uncompromising style making him a favourite among the terraces of the Kingspan Stadium.
After four outstanding seasons at Ulster, Nick Williams will move on to Cardiff Blues for the 2016/17 season. We caught up with Nick to get his views on his time here in Ulster.
You have played rugby all over the world. How has your time at Ulster compared?
NW: It’s definitely up there. I suppose the big difference of my time at Ulster compared to other places has been my family life, I’ve got a wee family of my own now. I’ve come to realise if my family is happy then I’ll be playing well on the paddock. I think that’s showed over the time that I’ve been here. The people have been great to us and we’ve really made it our home this past four years. We got married in our back yard. I’ve got a decent back yard that opens up to Helen’s Bay beach, and we probably got the one good day of summer. My family came all the way from New Zealand up here. I told some of my mates I’m having a beach wedding in Northern Ireland and they had a good laugh but we were able to pull it off.
So your family have enjoyed their time here in Ulster?
NW: We’ve absolutely loved it. Everything has been awesome... apart from the weather! My two little daughters have got Belfast accents now, which is really cool. When we had the wedding my family couldn’t really understand them. It’s been an absolute ball.
You have seen a lot of change during your time at Ulster. Can you give us your thoughts on how Ulster Rugby was when you arrived, and the position that the club is now in?
NW: I guess when I arrived we had a lot of experienced players, the likes of Johann Muller, John Afoa, big Stevie Ferris, Tom Court, so there was a good core of players here who could actually run the cutter which made it a lot easier for me coming in. Obviously over the years players come and go, and I think the club are probably in a bit of a transition phase at the moment. We’re obviously disappointed that we didn’t get through in the Champions Cup but such is life. I look at it now with Les being here and I can see nothing but positive things coming towards Ulster. Sometimes it’s difficult for the fans who want success immediately, but the rewards that the team will reap should be here soon.
The facilities here are world class. I’m coming from New Zealand where rugby is the number one sport and some of the facilities don’t even come close to this, so we’ve got to count our blessings.
You became an immediate fan favourite with the Ulster supporters – is that something you were conscious of early on?
NW: I knew I had something to prove. I came off the end of a few questions, a few doubts about me. I guess that’s what fuelled me. I kind of fell out of love with the game a bit when I was over in Italy, probably enjoying the lifestyle a bit too much, but as soon as I came here I knew I had to tighten up my act and play for something, firstly for my family and secondly for the Ulster supporters and I’d like to think that I’ve done that.
I look back on it now and it’s amazing how family fuels you. When I finish rugby I know I won’t have those questions about whether I played to my full potential because I know 100% that I did here in Belfast.
What do you think has been the difference at Ulster, that facilitated you playing to your potential?
NW: I’ve just been happy away from the game. I look at it now and the boys have let me play the game the way I want to play it. Probably the answer to your question is a bit of balance, know when, know when not to. The coaching that we’ve had here has been world class and the coaches know how they can get the best out of me and not to over-push. That goes my way too; to play within the boundaries and the laws of how the coaches and the team plays so I think all-in-all it’s gone pretty sweet.
The physical was way you play the game probably makes you more prone to picking up injuries – it is just unfortunate that you are injured at this stage of your career with Ulster?
NW: It is a bit of a shame alright. I’ve probably been lucky enough, I’ve been playing since I was 18 so she’s been a long ride. The way I play the game, yeah, you would be prone to injuries, but it’s probably the reason why I got here so I’m not going to change it now.
What are the standout memories of your time here?
NW: A lot of the European matches. Toulouse back-to-back here. We’ve always seemed to stand up when we played the big French teams, Montpellier a couple of years ago. I think my lasting memory would probably be when we played Zebre in what has turned out to be my last home game. I got taken off and I took a second to look up, everyone was standing and gave me a wee clap so as a Kiwi or as an outsider to get that ovation by a Province that has adopted me is pretty special.
How much of a role do the fans play here at the Kingspan Stadium?
NW: It’s an unbelievable atmosphere. Sometimes it’s difficult because we can’t hear each other on the pitch! I’ve played at a fair few stadiums around the world and at times you would think there are 80 or 90 thousand people out there, it’s deafening. When you’re on the pitch and you hear the fans singing the chants and the songs you definitely pick your act up. Even in the changing rooms when Besty’s having a chat there, we’re a family team and that goes for the 17 or 18 thousand people around us too.
You have scored 16 tries during your 4 years at Ulster – which of those stand out for you?
Well I know they’ve all been from less than four metres! In terms of the important ones... I guess the first try against Toulouse this year because it probably set our platform nice and early. We knew that these boys were going to come at us hard for the first 10 minutes, we just needed to weather the storm, we did. I got the ball off Robbie D and ran what seemed like 100 metres but was only probably 3. That set a platform and we came away with a 38-0 win that night.
You are known as a gentle giant off the pitch, but a fierce competitor on it – has that always been a personal trait of yours?
NW: I think it’s a cultural thing. We were all raised by very strong women. I have been brought up to be gentle to my mother, my grandmother especially, be a very strong family man, then when we go out on the pitch you play for your family and for your supporters, so I guess that’s where the dual personality comes into it. It’s a gift that I’ve been given. I’m not going to taken advantage of it and will make the most of it for as long as I can because the time is very short.
How would you like to be remembered by the Ulster fans?
NW: Big Nick. That’s it.
Good luck Big Nick, and thanks for all the memories.
Hailing from Auckland, New Zealand, Nick made a name for himself at Auckland Blues and represented New Zealand at U21 and Junior All Black level, before moving to Europe in 2008 to join Munster. In his first season he helped the Southern Province secure the PRO12 title in his debut season. After two years at Munster, Nick moved to Italy and spent a further two years at Aironi before returning to Ireland and joining Ulster in June 2012. Nick became an immediate sensation at Ulster and was awarded the PRO12 Player of the Year in his first season here. The big number 8 has continued to be the driving force of the Ulster pack, his uncompromising style making him a favourite among the terraces of the Kingspan Stadium.
After four outstanding seasons at Ulster, Nick Williams will move on to Cardiff Blues for the 2016/17 season. We caught up with Nick to get his views on his time here in Ulster.
You have played rugby all over the world. How has your time at Ulster compared?
NW: It’s definitely up there. I suppose the big difference of my time at Ulster compared to other places has been my family life, I’ve got a wee family of my own now. I’ve come to realise if my family is happy then I’ll be playing well on the paddock. I think that’s showed over the time that I’ve been here. The people have been great to us and we’ve really made it our home this past four years. We got married in our back yard. I’ve got a decent back yard that opens up to Helen’s Bay beach, and we probably got the one good day of summer. My family came all the way from New Zealand up here. I told some of my mates I’m having a beach wedding in Northern Ireland and they had a good laugh but we were able to pull it off.
So your family have enjoyed their time here in Ulster?
NW: We’ve absolutely loved it. Everything has been awesome... apart from the weather! My two little daughters have got Belfast accents now, which is really cool. When we had the wedding my family couldn’t really understand them. It’s been an absolute ball.
You have seen a lot of change during your time at Ulster. Can you give us your thoughts on how Ulster Rugby was when you arrived, and the position that the club is now in?
NW: I guess when I arrived we had a lot of experienced players, the likes of Johann Muller, John Afoa, big Stevie Ferris, Tom Court, so there was a good core of players here who could actually run the cutter which made it a lot easier for me coming in. Obviously over the years players come and go, and I think the club are probably in a bit of a transition phase at the moment. We’re obviously disappointed that we didn’t get through in the Champions Cup but such is life. I look at it now with Les being here and I can see nothing but positive things coming towards Ulster. Sometimes it’s difficult for the fans who want success immediately, but the rewards that the team will reap should be here soon.
The facilities here are world class. I’m coming from New Zealand where rugby is the number one sport and some of the facilities don’t even come close to this, so we’ve got to count our blessings.
You became an immediate fan favourite with the Ulster supporters – is that something you were conscious of early on?
NW: I knew I had something to prove. I came off the end of a few questions, a few doubts about me. I guess that’s what fuelled me. I kind of fell out of love with the game a bit when I was over in Italy, probably enjoying the lifestyle a bit too much, but as soon as I came here I knew I had to tighten up my act and play for something, firstly for my family and secondly for the Ulster supporters and I’d like to think that I’ve done that.
I look back on it now and it’s amazing how family fuels you. When I finish rugby I know I won’t have those questions about whether I played to my full potential because I know 100% that I did here in Belfast.
What do you think has been the difference at Ulster, that facilitated you playing to your potential?
NW: I’ve just been happy away from the game. I look at it now and the boys have let me play the game the way I want to play it. Probably the answer to your question is a bit of balance, know when, know when not to. The coaching that we’ve had here has been world class and the coaches know how they can get the best out of me and not to over-push. That goes my way too; to play within the boundaries and the laws of how the coaches and the team plays so I think all-in-all it’s gone pretty sweet.
The physical was way you play the game probably makes you more prone to picking up injuries – it is just unfortunate that you are injured at this stage of your career with Ulster?
NW: It is a bit of a shame alright. I’ve probably been lucky enough, I’ve been playing since I was 18 so she’s been a long ride. The way I play the game, yeah, you would be prone to injuries, but it’s probably the reason why I got here so I’m not going to change it now.
What are the standout memories of your time here?
NW: A lot of the European matches. Toulouse back-to-back here. We’ve always seemed to stand up when we played the big French teams, Montpellier a couple of years ago. I think my lasting memory would probably be when we played Zebre in what has turned out to be my last home game. I got taken off and I took a second to look up, everyone was standing and gave me a wee clap so as a Kiwi or as an outsider to get that ovation by a Province that has adopted me is pretty special.
How much of a role do the fans play here at the Kingspan Stadium?
NW: It’s an unbelievable atmosphere. Sometimes it’s difficult because we can’t hear each other on the pitch! I’ve played at a fair few stadiums around the world and at times you would think there are 80 or 90 thousand people out there, it’s deafening. When you’re on the pitch and you hear the fans singing the chants and the songs you definitely pick your act up. Even in the changing rooms when Besty’s having a chat there, we’re a family team and that goes for the 17 or 18 thousand people around us too.
You have scored 16 tries during your 4 years at Ulster – which of those stand out for you?
Well I know they’ve all been from less than four metres! In terms of the important ones... I guess the first try against Toulouse this year because it probably set our platform nice and early. We knew that these boys were going to come at us hard for the first 10 minutes, we just needed to weather the storm, we did. I got the ball off Robbie D and ran what seemed like 100 metres but was only probably 3. That set a platform and we came away with a 38-0 win that night.
You are known as a gentle giant off the pitch, but a fierce competitor on it – has that always been a personal trait of yours?
NW: I think it’s a cultural thing. We were all raised by very strong women. I have been brought up to be gentle to my mother, my grandmother especially, be a very strong family man, then when we go out on the pitch you play for your family and for your supporters, so I guess that’s where the dual personality comes into it. It’s a gift that I’ve been given. I’m not going to taken advantage of it and will make the most of it for as long as I can because the time is very short.
How would you like to be remembered by the Ulster fans?
NW: Big Nick. That’s it.
Good luck Big Nick, and thanks for all the memories.