September 27, 2005

JB can make the switch

Posted by Editor on September 27, 2005 12:14 AM | 2 comments | Print | E-mail author

There are claims John Beattie may move to the backline
Hawks' centre Ally Maclay believes the Warriors' John Beattie has a big future in the game - if he is willing to become more versatile.

There are reports that Glasgow Warriors head coach Hugh Campbell has a plan to transfer John from the pack to the back line, and the flanker has been moved to centre for parts of games when playing for his club side, Aberdeen GSFP.

But the teenager, who recently came out top in the team's sprint trials, has expressed his anxiety that the move could leave him in a positional no man's land - something that happened to former Glasgow player Roly Reid.

However, Ally, a player who has made a similar move, and who is just back from a successful spell playing for Sydney University in Australia, said in today's Daily Record: "I have played with Johnny and he definitely has all the skills and ability to change over.

"As far as I am concerned if you are good enough you should have a go.

"He is good enough and in my opinion shouldn't hold back."

Ally, who was man of the match, and scored a try in Glasgow Hawks' big win over Heriots on Saturday, added: "I wanted to play only in the back row but when our backs-coach Rob Ackerman made the suggestion to switch, I just went for it.

"Head coach Peter Wright was reluctant at first but he gave me a chance and I gave it my best shot. The rest is history."

Comments
Posted by Moody Blue on September 28, 2005 11:01 AM | Reply to this comment

It is definitely a good idea to be looking for other possibilities in the centre - we have struggled to produce international quality in that area for a while now, but unless JB has hitherto un-seen ball playing skills I'm not sure he is the answer. Speed, Strength - we probably have already go those things. What we desperately need is a 12 with good quick hands, the ability to see things, make passes that take people out of the game. I'm not sure a prospective 6/8 would ever have those skills unless he is called Andrew Farrell and has been playing Rugby League for 12 years. The worry is that we might lose a potential world class No 8 to create an ordinary no 12. A future international back row of Beattie, Ally Hogg, and Alan MacDonald is very appealing with John Barclay on the bench. Might be better developing Rob Dewey into a genuine 12, or keeping working with Graeme Morrison - musty say on Saturday night when Morrison came on, he looked as though he had regained a bit of zest to go with his undoubted power...all he needs now is to learn when to give the pass, rather than predictably crash up through the middle himself to set the ball up.

Posted by hugues on September 29, 2005 09:12 AM | Reply to this comment

I do not know how plays John, but i saw on the official site his weight: 108 kgs.
Even if I read he's the fastest in the Glasgow team, i wonder if a guy with this weight can be unforeseeable and quick enough to play at centre.

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