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January 16, 2007

Glasgow have to get streetwise

Posted by Editor on January 16, 2007 08:51 AM | 3 comments | Print | E-mail author

Andy Newman has been impressed with his young colleagues
Glasgow's Andy Newman thinks Glasgow have to learn to be more streetwise if they want to compete at the very highest level.

Andy - a member of the Northampton Saints side that won the Heineken Cup in 2000 and the Ospreys team that won the Celtic League two years ago - has been impressed with the young players at Glasgow and thinks that when they learn to be streetwise they will be able to compete with anyone.

"There's so much talent here, boys I didn't know about before I came to Glasgow, like John Barclay and John Beattie," Andy told The Herald. "They are top players who just need a chance. If we stay together, we can really go places.

"Some of the Scottish teams play fair, whereas Welsh teams and the English are a bit more experienced in how to play the game closer to the line.

"The Scots are talented runners and passers, which is the hard thing to do, whereas the getting-away-with-things is the easier thing. If we can learn things like that from players numbers 1 to 15 - what they call being streetwise or playing the game to the ref - then we're sorted."

Andy knows it was these very qualities that led the Warriors management to bring him to Hughenden.

"I've never been the quickest player," he went on, "so I've had to rely on using my head a bit. I've tried to help others by showing them the way I do things.

"Most of the boys are a lot more talented rugby players than I am. If they can add the little bits I've got to their game then, hopefully, I'm doing my job.

"They are a really good bunch of boys," said the English-born lock. "I was at Northampton, which was very autocratic with a lot of serious, serious people. It was difficult to get on and wasn't necessarily enjoyable.

"We were successful, but I enjoyed Wales a lot more. It was still professional, but a lot more laid back and there weren't so many egos around.

"I've found it's similar in Scotland to Wales: you don't get the egos you get in England. I enjoy being part of a squad like that. If everyone gets on and can work together and talk about how to do things, then it's front foot forward."

"I've been fortunate enough to have won a few things," he said. "That's why we're here. The main aim is to win every game. You don't want to go through your career without winning anything."

That is why this European Challenge Cup campaign is so important to Glasgow's players - giving them a taste of what is required once it gets to the later stages of competitions.

"If we get through to the quarter-finals, we've got a real chance. Not many people talk about Glasgow, so it's a chance for us to get noticed," said Andy. "It lifts the profile, lifts the atmosphere. Lifting a cup is so exciting.

"I looked at the odds on a website the other day and we were 33-1. I don't bet on rugby, but I thought that was pretty long odds," he said. "We're a good side and we can scare a few people. I don't think anyone will want to come to Hughenden.

"I've played against all the teams that will be in the knockout stages and when we played Saracens they are joint favourites with Montferrand it was by no means one-way traffic. We're a better side than we were then.

"If they're favourites, then why shouldn't we have a chance?"

Posted by sunday5 on January 16, 2007 12:59 PM | Reply to this comment

Fair point and a great attitude from the big guy but our pack is going to need to do something very, very special if they are to compete upfront against the Saracens. Their front row in particular is a real threat to us. They've scored something like 8 'pushover' tries since they scored two against us. We may have the edge in the backs even if Castingede is back but their pack is monstrous. If the first couple of scrums can go our way or even be competed then all bets should be off.

Posted by Blondie on January 20, 2007 10:37 AM | Reply to this comment

Having watched the way the pack handled themselves last night in the quagmire against Saracens and some dreadful referee decisions,that speaks volumes.The gorgeous Andy Newman is definitely a huge asset in terms of experience and power.He knows what he's there to do and he's doing it.

Posted by sunday5 on January 16, 2007 01:01 PM | Reply to this comment

Oh, I'm also looking forward to see how the underrated Beatie fares against the overrated Farrell.

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