You can learn the words if you like. I'm going to put all my efforts into a dance craze I'm going to call the "Bundee Jump"

The only downside to this is that we're going to have the learn the words to Superfreak. Lads, we can barely get Wests Awake together, never mind disco hits from the 70s.

Sounds like a fantastic signing. Right age and experience. A bit to old to become a project player but if they think that the chance of an AB cap is gone then why not come over here. Well done Pat, hopefully more to come.

swift4prez wrote: I think we're ahead of munster.

Plus his girlfriend is Iq, does that make him iq? Ha ha ha

Did you not tell Twitter that you were going to stop drinking?

Don't know anything about him but I got to say I'm very excited.
We needed a loosehead, and jhw and Henry did get injured this season. Heffernan can do a job, but isn't good enough yet.
Pat lam didn't have the best of time as coach in new Zealand but it looks like a hell of a lot of good players believe in him and are happy to move to connacht. I think we're ahead of munster. Players will come to Galway because they believe in the coach, next season who ever goes to munster will more so go cause of the team and the name munster

Plus his girlfriend is Iq, does that make him iq? Ha ha ha

From a quick look online, he seems to have pace like Cronin, and seems to be very strong.
When his own team mates nickname him Super Freak, that's a good thing. I think we'll see him as a prop next season mainly, and cover hooker when needed

Doesn't seem to be much about him on youtube but pat's right that we need all our options at hooker right now considering the injuries jhw and henry have had. plus with brett going his ability to play prop too will be very useful. I've been saying for ages we need to find a hooker with a bit more about him than just the basics *cough blog cough* so I hope he has a bit of pace or the ability to cause defenses problems which he should have at 110kg.

It might be a bit harsh on the two main lads but we need greater competition at hooker and the players who are already there to keep improving, hopefully the experience of a super XV hooker can be useful to our current hookers as well.

ConnachtCows wrote: Anyone know anything about him? Feel a bit bad for JHW and Sean Henry

It's odd because I didn't really see hooker as a priority area for signing since, Henry's injury aside, we're reasonably well stocked with IQ players. If you look at it more of a Loosehead signing and you think of what we've been doing in the scrum all year, there's more sense in it. Having a prop-hooker on the bench or starting in one spot with the ability to switch over gives another option to turn the screw in matches where our scrum is on top, which is more and more frequent these days.

Anyone know anything about him? Feel a bit bad for JHW and Sean Henry


Ehhhh.....

Connacht Rugby is pleased to announce the latest in new player recruits for the upcoming season.

New Zealand born hooker Tom McCartney, a member of Super Rugby franchise The Blues, has signed a three year deal with Connacht Rugby and the IRFU.

McCartney has been a consistent performer for the Blues since he made his Super XV debut in 2008 against the Chiefs. He has since accumulated 64 appearances in the southern hemisphere competition.

Highly rated for his impressive strength and work ethic as well as the core skills of throwing, tackling and carrying, the 28-year-old, who weighs in at 110kg, has the ability to play both hooker and prop. Last season, he played in the number 1 jersey in the absence of All Black Tony Woodcock, but has transitioned back to hooker with the Blues this year.

McCartney first debuted for provincial side Auckland in 2007 when he was given his first start by then Head Coach Pat Lam, the same year the team went on to win the National Provincial Championship. He is currently the most capped player in the Auckland team with 84 appearances.

Connacht Head Coach Pat Lam said of the latest signing:

“We’re delighted to be in a position to announce Tom for next season. Hooker was a key area that we had to target for recruitment. There is clearly a shortage for all Irish clubs in this specialised position but especially at Connacht where this year Sean Henry endured a season-ending injury and where young Dave Heffernan and sub Academy player Jack Dinneen have only been converted from back row to hooker in the last year.

“I have worked with Tom at both Auckland and the Blues in New Zealand and he is an excellent team man who was a key member of our leadership group. He is extremely hard working and respected by all the players and coaches around him. There are a lot of similarities in character with Tom and young Jake (Heenan) who made the move from Auckland to Ireland last year and who has fit in so well both with the squad and in terms of his rugby. I have no doubt that Tom will make the same impression here, both with the team and with the wonderful Connacht supporters.

“Securing Tom was high on our priority list and the coaching staff are excited about bringing in such an experienced hooker who has also proven skillful at Loosehead prop where he played for the Blues and Auckland Rugby. With the unfortunate loss of Brett Wilkinson due to injury, this type of versatility is invaluable for the squad going forward.”

Speaking from New Zealand, McCartney said:

“After talking with Pat Lam, I’m really excited about the move up to Connacht to help achieve their vision. I’ve obviously worked under Pat before and I really enjoy his coaching philosophy. He gave me my first start for Auckland back in 2007 and really, I owe a lot of my career achievements to him from those early days.

“I believe Galway is a fantastic city and both myself and my fiancée Taryn, whose grandfather is from County Cork, are really looking forward to settling in over there.

“I’ve been with the Blues and Auckland Rugby for over seven years now and enjoyed every minute. But this move is a fantastic opportunity and the challenge I’ve been looking for.”

McCartney will move to Connacht at the conclusion of the New Zealand ITM Cup season.

Happy for all the lads who were signed. I hope for his and our sake that we see more of qualter next season I realise he was/is on the lighter side but at 6'5'' he doesn't have the toner type qualities which make a province want to nurture a player into his mid 20s. Having said that I think he's been playing 8 for the eagles so if that turns out to be a realistic long term prospect then he could offer something different to what's there atm.

Leader has shown his stuff allright.

Still, great news. Here's hoping this is just part of the announcements that are going to be made. Naming a CEO sometime soon'd be no harm.

I'd nearly have chanced giving Darragh Leader and Dave Heffernan two year deals, but good news either way.....

Darragh Leader, Conor Finn and Finlay Bealham promoted.
Dave Heffernan and Danny Qualter extended.
1 year deals all.

5 players sign one year deals
Conor finn
Danny quarter
Bealham
D leader
Dave heffernan

RogueXV wrote: From an Ireland standpoint I hope he isn't lured away by Samoa for some one off cap a la Ray Ofisa which does nothing but scuttle his chances to play for Ireland. Assuming he reaches the quality for the international level.

If it's a one-off cap fair enough, but if he get's the opportunity to represent Samoa at the World Cup, it'd be sad to see him turn it down in favour of waiting over two years for a chance to play for Ireland.