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Gareth Fullerton

Ulster Rugby prop's brilliant TV interview proves why he's fans' favourite

It's easy to see why Jeff Toomaga-Allen is a fans' favourite at Ravenhill.

The front row scored his first try for Ulster in Friday night's impressive win over the Stormers, and was also named man of the match.

Toomaga-Allen boasts a live-wire personality to complement his energetic performances on the pitch, and he highlighted that in his post-match interview.

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The New Zealander told BBC Sport's Gavin Andrews: "It means a lot. I have worked hard.

"I don't try and get man of the match but I just try and do my part. And the fact the fans are going hard and getting behind the boys, it means a lot not only to me but also the boys as well.

"So big up to the boys!"

He added: "I worked hard. I came back from injury after the Zebre game and I really worked myself back into the team.

"And I am trying to do my best for the team. We are a tight-knit group and we push each other, we smash each other, to be honest.

"And this is just testament to those guys working hard behind the scenes and all of us working together as a front row and front five."

Ulster have recorded two impressive wins on the bounce to emerge from a mid-season slumber that threatened to derail their entire campaign.

Last week's 22-11 victory over Sale was followed up by Friday's 35-5 demolition of the Stormers in Belfast.

Toomaga-Allen insists the belief has been constant in Dan McFarland's squad, and now they are reaping the rewards.

"Nothing has changed. That belief has always been there, and we just had to dig deep every week," he said.

"The La Rochelle game, the Benetton game. They were tight games.

"We are now reaping the benefit of working hard and keeping that belief."

When asked how much he is enjoying life at Ulster, Toomaga-Allen smiled: "Ah man, shout out to the fans, man, I love it.

"It is just about having fun. My son is six and I just want to show him that it is all about having fun and enjoying yourself.

"And the fact I have got a try tonight, I am going to shove it in my son's face. he is always like, 'papa, why do you not score tries?'. And I just tell him, 'it's not about that, it's about working hard'.

"This comes once in a blue moon so I am making the most of it."

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