Glasgow Warriors today announced yet another signing for next season. Coming in from a few years in Japan, veteran back-rower Angus Macdonald, twice capped as an All Black, has signed a two-year contract with the Scotstoun outfit.
On the 31-year-old the Warriors said this:
“Highly rated from a young age, Macdonald won two All Black caps on the Graham Henry-led tour of the northern hemisphere in 2005, one of these appearances coming against Scotland at Murrayfield that November. The call-up came after he starred for New Zealand Maori in their win over the visiting British and Irish Lions.
“The previous year he had been promoted to captain of the [Aukland] Blues, having helped them win the Super 14 title in 2003.
“Since 2008, he has been based in Japan, where he has played a key role in the development of Toyota Verblitz and latterly Coca Cola West Red Sparks.
“Macdonald, who turned 31 in January, will arrive in Scotland this summer, primed to deliver his all-action brand of breakaway play on the fields of the RaboDirect PRO12 and Heineken Cup.
“He has signed a two-year contract, committing him to the Warriors until at least the end of May 2014, subject to the appropriate visa being obtained.
“Macdonald is the fourth major Glasgow addition for the coming campaign to be announced so far. Tonga World Cup star Viliami Ma’afu (No.8) and reigning Newcastle Falcons Player of the Season Tim Swinson (lock) have been recruited for the pack, while Sean Lamont is set to return to the club where he first made his name in the game.
“The Warriors have also re-signed 15 leading players in recent months.”
Of course the Warriors have not yet re-signed back-rowers John Barclay and Johnnie Beattie. Barclay is said to be weighing up a few French offers with one already on the table from the Warriors, while Beattie is rumoured to be considering a shift to French outfit Montpellier. This is just a rumour at this stage, of course, but the number 8 appears to be left to his own devices.
At the other end of the M8 there was another rumour circulating that Ross Rennie was spotted boarding a plane to the East Midlands on Sunday. This one I will take with a lot more than a pinch of salt. Even if he was seen going outbound (at a really short turnaround, since he was on a bus with other Scotland players that morning) he could be visiting family, friends or just taking a trip. After a gruelling tournament for the flanker he is entitled to some time off.
All the other internationals will have a week off, as well, before rejoining the fray. Those that played less of a part could return sooner, though. Expect to see Matt Scott play some part for Edinburgh this weekend.
*UPDATE* Predictions came true today, 21/03/12, as it was confirmed that Johnnie Beattie has signed a two year deal with Montpellier, with an option of a third year. He will move once this season is over for the Warriors.
5 responses
What has happened with John Beattie – 2 years ago he was Scotland’s most potent attacking force, and he seems to have been left to drift into oblivion.
Is it mismanagement or has he just lost it since his operation.
Another key signing for one of our only two District sides who won’t be available to Scotland and Beattie and Barclay potentially moving to France, another backward step!
Borderer – backward step for who? Scottish Rugby, Glasgow Warriors, Beattie? Whether Beattie’s ‘drift into oblivion” to quote Hamish is down to his head not being in the right place, loss of form after his shoulder injury or personality clash with Lineen, or a combination of these we will never know. What we do know is that he’s not getting regular game time with the Warriors and is not even making the bench most weeks. If a move to France results in regular game time and him fulfilling his potential then he and Scottish rugby will both have ‘taken a step forward’.
So at least as far as this season has been concerned Macdonald has not been keeping Beattie out of the Warriors side, other Scottish qualified players have. So the more important question is, will Macdonald keep the likes of Harley, Fusaro or Wilson out the team? Or will he help these guys develop and become better players? Only time will tell, but if his price was right, then Macdonald coming to Glasgow is not a backward step.
My point is that the No 8 position in one of our, only two, District sides is going to a player who doesn’t qualify for Scotland, therefore it’s a backward step for Scotland. It’s probably not a backward step for Glasgow and I sincerely hope Beattie finds his form wherever he plays, although I’d rather it was in Scotland. There may be benefits in that Macdonald’s experience may help bring on some of our younger players, however the Districts are bringing in too many non Scottish qualified players. I argued in another blog that the SRU should be helping them in signing and retaining our top Scottish players. Let’s make better use of our limited resources by working together.
I’d be interested in reading a list of non Scots Qualified signings and compare that to a list of viable Scots Qualified “non-signings”.
Off the top of my head
WP Nel
Ma’afu
Talei
McDonald
Cusak
Lemi
Arambaru
DTHVDM
Cox
Lozada
Leck
So 11 players out of a combined squad of 60. None of these guys will be top earners in either squad (Maybe WP Nel??)???
5 of which have not been regular starters and 4 of which are next season signings.
I’d be interested to read the list of 11 viable Scots qualified signings to replace these guys.
Beattie’s time at Glasgow is up for a number of reasons. For the good of Scottish rugby and himself, Barclay should also move on.
What is good for Scottish Rugby, does not neccessarily mean it has to be good for Glasgow and Edinburgh.