Josh Strauss signs 3 year deal at Glasgow

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Just heard Josh Strauss has signed for Glasgow from the Lions. Impressive signing!

It does seem quite strange. Judging by his twitter feed, he never really settled. From memory, I think I remember him saying that he wanted to play/train, but wasn't being allowed. All speculation though. As a Glasgow fan I would much rather have Strauss anyway.

Manky-Flanker wrote:Never saw this coming. Ryan Wilson will have his work cut out trying to keep his jersey. Good for competition within the team.

On a side note, if we were able to sign the former Lions captain, could we not also sign the Lions former head coach John Mitchell too

That is one thing Glasgow don't want is John Mitchell, when he coached at the Western Force the players hated him and led a revolt against him and apparently a similar situation to him leaving the lions.

Strauss is a brilliant signing, watched him a lot during the super xv. Surprised none of the other SA franchises took him on. He's not just a great player but also a great leader and is a major coup by Glasgow getting him.

That's what you've got to ask - why Glasgow??

p.s. I'd be saying the same about Edinburgh, before ASBO gets on at me!

I reckon Toonie did a 'partridge-esque' poll dance for Dodson

Dorothy_Mantooth wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Is that some inside knowledge DM?

Had heard last week that this was likely to happen (him leaving, had no idea about Strauss coming in). From what was getting said, he was not in the coaches plans and he had be overlooked from every match-day squad, including the Exeter Friendly, despite contrary to reports him having a "bit of an ankle knock"

Bit of a shambolic start to the season to be honest, especially with Matawalu still not in the Country!

Do you know the position with his visa, Dot?

RDW_Scotland wrote:That's what you've got to ask - why Glasgow??

p.s. I'd be saying the same about Edinburgh, before ASBO gets on at me!

Tee hee Great signing, and as to why Glasgow, perhaps timing is everything (or maybe Lineen is simply doing his job)

George Carlin wrote:

Dorothy_Mantooth wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Is that some inside knowledge DM?

Had heard last week that this was likely to happen (him leaving, had no idea about Strauss coming in). From what was getting said, he was not in the coaches plans and he had be overlooked from every match-day squad, including the Exeter Friendly, despite contrary to reports him having a "bit of an ankle knock"

Bit of a shambolic start to the season to be honest, especially with Matawalu still not in the Country!

Do you know the position with his visa, Dot?

Suppose to be arriving sometime later this week.

Just watched his show reel - quite like Dave Denton in ball carrying style. The 1812 game is gonna be a beast this year!

Can you a post a link of his show reel, haven't been able to find much.

From what I've managed to find, this guy could be a monster for Glasgow. They're lacking a big ball carrier up-front with Gray leaving but this guy can do the job and may be better around the fringes than Gray was. Rate Wilson, not convinced he's an International class player but he was very impressive last season and is still pretty young.

The competition in both back-rows is fantastic, there is a great mix of players with Scottish internationalists (Rennie, Barclay, Denton), a group of good young players (Harley, McInally, Fusaro, Wilson) and foreign aid for during international periods (MacDonald, Basilaia, Strauss, Talei).

Hopefully this guy can be a catalyst and jump start Glasgow's season, a big aggressive ball-carrier would help them a lot.

RDW make that 1872 we did invent competive rugby, but it took Ellis to invent the game first and it was post Napoleonic wars.

What a great signing he will be! A bit of a surprise a big French club hasn't come in for him, he's stood out as a quality player for me for a while ( not just due to the beard!). Certainly wouldn't have complained if he turned up at the rec...

Perhaps he was Hersh's BIG signing, Bathman, but Mr Craig was outbid by Glasgow?

Ha yeah - 1872! Blame it on typing while on the bus.

I see that Townsend is hailing it as possibly the biggest ever signing made by the sru, maybe even bigger than blackadder - talk about pressure eh!

Wp nel had a similarly impressive show reel but has been fairly underwhelmig so far - and needs time to find his feet beore we can really judge his abilities. I suspect it might be the same for this guy in that he might need some time to adapt to the serious culture shift.

Anything is possible! A millionaires pockets are only so deep!

RDW_Scotland wrote:Ha yeah - 1872! Blame it on typing while on the bus.

I see that Townsend is hailing it as possibly the biggest ever signing made by the sru, maybe even bigger than blackadder - talk about pressure eh!

Wp nel had a similarly impressive show reel but has been fairly underwhelmig so far - and needs time to find his feet beore we can really judge his abilities. I suspect it might be the same for this guy in that he might need some time to adapt to the serious culture shift.

I reckon Strauss will adapt quickly, he doesn't strike me as the type of guy who needs much settling in.

You got any thoughts on why Wp nel has been a bit underwhelming for Edinburgh so far biltongbek? He's actually not looked match fit, which is surprising considering he's had a full super XV season!

RDW, The cheetahs actually played very hard this season, I would think it is more down to fatigue to be honest, but like you said perhaps he hasn;t settled well yet, he is a rather shy guy, so maybe he doesnt feel quite confident yet.

For a Freestate afrikaner the UK is more like a foreign planet than foreign land.

Remember when you grow up in one of those small towns in the freestate you are a world away from modern society, maybe he still finds it a little intimidating.

He has looked quite shy and quiet and hasn't been bossing tge rugby pitch either. Hopefully he can find his mojo cause nothing helps you settle in more than playing well in a winning team!

Do you reckon another Afrikaaner in isaak van der vesthausen will help him when he cones over in October?

It should, they played in the same team, so they will know each other well enough.

Thanks for the input biltong. How do you feel about all these south Africans coming to Scotland?? You gonna come visit?!

RDW, I have given up the fight of getting upset.

I like Josh Strauss a lot, I felt he deserved to be called up for springbok duty this year, and I fully understand why he is leaving, his Franchise has been kicked out of super rugby, it seems he isn't going to get called up to the Boks, his exposure for next year won't be great, so he decides to leave.

I have come to accept rugby is now about money and little else.

I wouldn't mind visiting Scotland, I think it is a beautiful country, maybe someday.

Read that Harley had hurt his knee ligaments, anyone have any news on this?

Would be a real shame if he missed the bulk of the season.

Apparently the ginger tackle monster is seeing another specialist this Thursday, but it doesn't look great - expecting him to be out for at least a couple of months Right, time for Angus Macdonald to step forward and pull his finger out

The other alternative is to play Swinson at 6, as apparently he's played there previously, or use Barclay at 6 and Fusaro at 7, with the new bearded beast at 8.

Obviously should MacDonald turn out to be as good as well all hope, then I suspect he'll get an extended run at 6.

Macdonald didn't look the biggest when he came on against the O's - is he going to add much bulk to an already lightweight back row?

Thought Glasgow played the O's this week? You're either psychic or have a TARDIS.

Sorry - Scarlets!

Biltong,

What other Lions players do you think will be in high demand? I presume Elton Jantjes and Jaco Taute would the obvious ones along with maybe Butch James.

I really hope Taute is not on someone's list.

But Alwyn Hollenbach is a good center, jc van Rensburg the captain seems a solid prop, Derrick Minnie in my view is a very good pilferer, there's probably s few others as well.

Biltong wrote:I really hope Taute is not on someone's list.

But Alwyn Hollenbach is a good center...

Sold. To the man holding Morrison's dole cheque.

"Strauss will be registered in time for the Heineken Cup and the coach admitted that he was looking at the possibility of bringing in another new face before next week’s deadline for the European competition."

Any ideas on this second "new face"?

If it were a Scottish youngster then it would have been done and dusted already surely.

10 to 1 it is another Lion.

Well would have fancied one of the Young brothers, but given one has a 7's contract don't think that's likely. Glasgow need wingers if you sign Sean Maitland I'll be seriously annoyed, wanted to see him on the right wing with Tim on the left for the Gunners.

justified sinner wrote:Well would have fancied one of the Young brothers, but given one has a 7's contract don't think that's likely. Glasgow need wingers if you sign Sean Maitland I'll be seriously annoyed, wanted to see him on the right wing with Tim on the left for the Gunners.

Maitland would be outstanding, but can't see it happening. The other Young brother is is negotiations with the SRU to follow his brother onto a semi-pro 7s contract

They would need a massive amount of conditioning to play pro XVs - they're are both skinny rakes!

Word on the street too is that they are great 7s players but fairly average at XVs.

Think the 7s team is the best place for them just now!

Biltong,

I more meant to the other Super Rugby franchises, not to Europe.

Very, very interesting - both Strauss and his club were in no doubt that the move was in order for Josh to become a Scottish qualified international:
http://www.superxv.com/news/super15_rugby_news.asp?id=36447

That is truly fantastic news. 3 years is a long time and it's a hard road but he's by far the highest profile player to leave this franchise and I'm really really looking forward to seeing him play.

Glasgow need a fillup and this is it.

Biltong wrote:10 to 1 it is another Lion.

Would quite like it to be a lock or an inside centre.

Biltong - whom do you think is the most realistic prospect for a move?

Props to the club, incidentally, for not standing in the way of their players moving on to other things.

RDW,
Angus MacDonald is no lightweight and he threw his considerable size around in his 10 minute appearance last Friday, managing to scrap for the ball, which utimately set up Cusiter's try. He looks a real class act. MacDonald, Barclay/Fusaro and Strauss could be an immense back row for the Warriors. If Harley is out for a wee while we need some good news !

If I was to guess what position A N Other will play, I would say SH. It does seem a very long time for the Fijians work permit to come through ....

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

justified sinner wrote:Well would have fancied one of the Young brothers, but given one has a 7's contract don't think that's likely. Glasgow need wingers if you sign Sean Maitland I'll be seriously annoyed, wanted to see him on the right wing with Tim on the left for the Gunners.

Maitland would be outstanding, but can't see it happening. The other Young brother is is negotiations with the SRU to follow his brother onto a semi-pro 7s contract

There was a bit in the NZ herald and a few other pieces of nz's media last week mentioning Sean Maitland and other talented NZ players who haven't been capped.. Sounds like he said he'd give it till the end of 2012 to try get his all black cap otherwise he'd move abroad. The chances of him being capped this year are now non existent as he is out injured for the rest of the NZ season but he has not closed the door on Scotland yet.

As much as I would welcome Maitland with open arms into the Scotland team - I would much prefer it if he played for a Scottish team for a year or two to actually have an understanding of the nation he is playing for.

Wouldn't quite sit right if he went to France for loadsa money and turned up wanting to play for Scotland.

Forget Strauss to Glasgow - Maitland to Edinburgh would be the biggest signing ever by the SRU!

Yeah i agree i would prefer him to come to scotland and play for one of edinburgh or glasgow but it wouldn't be the end of the world if he didn't. As long as he was in the scotland jersey that would do for me.

I know it's been said before, but

11 Visser
14 Maitland
15 Hogg

Oh my.

RDW_Scotland wrote:I know it's been said before, but

11 Visser
14 Maitland
15 Hogg

Oh my.

12. Morisson
13. Luca DeNohands



If Laidlaw/Weir can throw 20 metre passes though

Don't see Maitland signing any time soon, still only 23 and playing for a top Super XV team. Would be fantastic to see him in a Scotland jersey in a couple seasons time.

What are Glasgow lacking?

They've got a pretty good squad right now and we're yet to see Swinson, McDonald, Matawalu, McGuigan and Paris in Pro12 action. Been a supporter of foreign signings but I'd struggle to see where they could improve the team without sacrificing a potential Scotland internationalist.

he ain't been starting much for the crusaders this season as adam whiteloch was getting the start ahead of him. The rumours going around NZ are that he'll be leaving.

Imagine the potenital backline at the next world cup

9 laidlaw
10 weir
11 visser
12 scott
13 bennett
14 maitland
15 hogg

looks pretty good to me.

I was wondering who the 'second new face' might be too.

A ball playing, creative 12 would be my shout.

Although I'm convinced Dunbar will end up as a 12 and I don't want to see his progress slowed...

Even if the Fijian 9 comes I still think Glasgow are not served very well there. There's a massive dropoff in class between Cusiter and Pyrgos and indeed any other scrum half there.

I am a bit behind here, what is the Maitland/Scotland link? One of his parents/grandparents Scottish I am guessing?