When material for any highlights reel ever needs to be sourced, then Aidan Morgan will likely always have Pretoria as one of his go-to moments.
Hardly the most memorable day for Ulster but, leaving the outcome aside, the 23-year-old out-half produced a vignette to savour early in the contest.
Locating himself in midfield, Michael Lowry having fired the ball outwards from first receiver, Morgan delivered an exquisitely accurate cross-field kick to hit Jacob Stockdale in his own half but at full pace, prompting the winger to produce one of his vintage chip and pin the ears back scores.
A case of great vision and sublime touch — at altitude too — from Morgan just three competitive games in since joining Ulster over the summer and a notable assist to add to the catalogue in the wake of scoring tries against Glasgow and the Lions.
Not bad really for the Irish-qualified Kiwi — whose grandfather, as a teenager, emigrated from Belfast — and who decided to have a crack at the northern hemisphere after playing five seasons back home either on the Super Rugby roster for the Hurricanes or at NPC level with Wellington.
“I think it’s just seeing space,” he explains of a moment so reminiscent of Billy Burns, the now Munster-located player Morgan has come in for at Ulster.
“They’ve (the coaches) always given us licence to pull the trigger on the space we see, and Jacob is such a good athlete, so it was just trying to get the ball to space.
“The defence had come up on the edge there, so I put a kick in behind and actually you saw Willie le Roux (full-back for the Bulls) do a few of those himself.”
Aidan Morgan is tackled short of the try line during Ulster’s United Rugby Championship defeat to the Lions
Morgan’s remit is to get Ulster moving with both greater cutting edge in attack — while also bringing a steelier edge defensively — whether through the hands or, of course, discovering it through the boot.
“It’s important to use a kicking game as well as a passing game to execute the space,” says the Auckland native who also played for the All Blacks at Under-20 level.
“As an out-half it’s important that I keep the boys in the right area of the park and on the front foot with a smart kicking game and smart tactical plays.
“So, that’s what I’ve been working on,” he adds and, in fairness, there has been plenty of evidence to back it up so far even though Ulster have just won the once on opening day when shading it over URC champions Glasgow before the two-match trip to South Africa’s altitude.
“There are always improvements (to be made) in my game and the big thing that Richie (Murphy) is working on with me is leading the team around and leading the attack especially.”
Before changing hemispheres, Morgan had already been exposed to some quality operators and can cite having played for the Hurricanes with TJ Perenara, plus the Saveas, Julian and Ardie, and Leinster-bound Jordie Barrett.
He holds Barrett in special regard and could be facing him later in the season when Ulster head to Dublin for their inter-pro with Leinster in April.
“Jordie is one of the best players in the world for sure,” he says of his former team-mate at the Hurricanes.
“His skill-set, the way he sees the game, the way he communicates is top class,” Morgan states before mentioning that observing Barrett at training is something else. “Just watching him and seeing what he sees and then how he executes.
“I’ve no doubt that when he comes over and joins Leinster, he’ll make a big impact in how they play.
“(As with) Any of the top players I’ve played with you can see the quality is there, the calmness on the ball and the way they see the game is something that every player strives to get.”
As for potentially facing him when white takes on blue in six months’ time, he was unequivocal.
“Yeah, that would be awesome if I get the privilege to play against him,” he says.
There already is someone Morgan is familiar with in Dublin as Leinster assistant coach Tyler Bleyendaal — who spent time when a player at Munster — has joined the southern province this season after switching from the backroom staff at the Hurricanes.
“He coached me for the last three years (at the Hurricanes) so it’ll be special if I get the opportunity to do that,” Morgan adds of collectively taking on both his former coach and clubmate though an initial clash with Leinster and Bleyendaal is coming up at the end of next month.
On matters Leinster, some counsel was sought from those Kiwis based in Dublin before Morgan took the plunge with Ulster and, while back home, he was in touch with former Ulster flanker Sean Reidy regarding his advice on where best to live in Belfast.
Saturday evening is his first inter-provincial and another opportunity as he puts it “to grow my game” which has brought him here along with the potential of much more regular game time than was coming his way in Super Rugby.
Aidan Morgan celebrates Ulster’s win over Glasgow
He even goes head-to-head on Saturday evening with fellow King’s College Auckland pupil Josh Ioane — there are six years between them — which is something of a reference point.
“Yeah, I know Josh really well, he’s a top player and I’ve been following how he’s going and he’s going really well so I’m sure he’ll be a tough challenge,” he explains.
“I’m super excited myself and I know how important these inter-pro games are for the club and the senior boys have been really leading the week in terms of what a win will mean here.
“The boys are ready to step up here at home which is a special place and the last time we were here (against Glasgow) we ground out a really hard victory.”
So far, the move looks to be a good one though he admits it wasn’t a particularly easy decision for him and his partner to make on the basis that family and friends have been left behind.
“It’s just me over here with my partner, so it’s been tough” he explains.
“But it’s a nice place to be, I’m enjoying Belfast, it’s a good group and a good club here that’s helped me settle in.
“My parents will hopefully get over later in the season,” Morgan says, though his Belfast-born grandfather will be unable to travel.
“They’re (the family) letting me settle and are watching the games on TV.
“It’s been cool and exciting, and this weekend is another opportunity to put out what we’ve been working on.”
And, of course, get the result with more skills on show from the new man at No.10.