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Scotland club Glasgow Warriors reportedly have signed uncapped Kiwi speedster

By Sam Smith

17 Feb 2021

(Photo by Dianne Manson/Getty Images)

The Glasgow Warriors have reportedly snapped up former New Zealand under-20 star and Crusaders fullback Josh McKay, according to a report in The Scotsman.

A Canterbury product, McKay landed with the Highlanders for his season in Super Rugby in 2018 after an impressive provincial campaign with the red and blacks the previous year.

After a lack of game time, the fullback turned wing was given a lifeline by the Crusaders for 2021, signing as an injury replacement for centre Braydon Ennor.

The 23-year-old wasn’t named in any of the five New Zealand franchise’s squads for the 2021 season after his three-year deal with the Highlanders expired in 2020.

The Scotsman is reporting he will move to Scotland at the end of the New Zealand season in October or November to link up with his new club, where the Warriors see him as a fullback option.

Since losing Stuart Hogg two years ago to European champions Exeter, the fullback role has been filled at times by centre Huw Jones as they look to fill the void left by Scotland’s captain.

The addition of McKay will help the club’s backline after also losing flyhalf Adam Hastings to Gloucester. McKay played flyhalf as a schoolboy before being used as a fullback winger option at higher levels, with his speed a real asset on the pitch.

He is considered one of the fastest professional rugby players in New Zealand.

“We’ve always known that we needed to add a 15 to the squad and we wanted a real attacking presence,” said Glasgow coach Danny Wilson in comments published by The Scotsman.

“Josh plays wing and 15, and he’s a really exciting runner with the ball, so he’ll suit the surface and he’ll suit the speed we want to play.”

“First and foremost, I know that part of my role is developing Scottish players for Scotland – that is the role of the two clubs as well as winning games of rugby,” acknowledged the Glasgow coach.

The addition of McKay was met with excitement by Scottish rugby fans, who understand that the uncapped utility may eventually qualify for Scotland under residency one day.

RugbyPass columnist Jamie Lyall wrote “Warriors have needed a top-class fullback in the door for a while and McKay is absolutely that.”

“Classy operator, NZ under-20 cap, still 23-years-old, plays 10, wing and 15, and is absolute jets.”

Scotsman reporting Josh McKay to sign for the Warriors. What a signing that is if true.
— Phill Speirs (@Mightytalisker) February 17, 2021

I’ll buy you an espresso to split 3 ways if it’s Josh McKay
— Jay Mac (@JayMac__) February 17, 2021

If the Josh McKay to Glasgow chat is accurate, as it seems to be, then it's a belting signing. Warriors have needed a top-class FB in the door for a while and McKay is absolutely that. Classy operator, NZ U20 cap, still 23 years old, plays 10, wing and 15, and is absolute jets.
— Jamie Lyall (@JLyall93) February 17, 2021

If the chat of Josh McKay to Glasgow Warriors is confirmed in the morning, here’s what the #WarriorNation will be able to look forward to when he arrives
A really belting player & exactly what Glasgow have needed to replace Stuart Hogg https://t.co/xKenuSfUqe
— Gav Harper (@Gav_S_Harper) February 17, 2021

Looks like the info is out there folks. Josh McKay
— Alistair MacKinnon (@allstar4208) February 17, 2021

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Comments on RugbyPass

Ardy 13 minutes ago

Jake White: Ireland, Australia and Wales all have the same problem

John, McKenzie was 10 years ago and he only lasted 15 months until the disgustingly unfair affair that brought him down. I thought that if he didn't get another gig over Eddie V2 then he was done. I read that he had been approached but declined to put his name in the ring.

There are no potential Wallaby coaches outside of McKellar unless you have some inside info?

12 Go to comments

SK 14 minutes ago

Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

The way they are defending is sometime pathetic to be honest. Itoje is usually on the inside of the rush and he is paired with a slower tight forward. Unable to keep up with the rush we have seen the line become disconnected on the inside where the big boys are. How many times have we seen Earl rush past the first receiver almost into no mans land covering no attacker. It looks like a system without any guidance. Tome Wright, Ikitau and a number of Wallabies went back to this soft centre as did Williams, Jordan and several others. Also when the line is broken the multiple lines of defence seems to be missing. The rush is predicated on a cover and recovery system with multiple lines of defence but with England you dont see it any more. Fitness and conditioning seems to be off as well as players are struggling to keep up with the intensity of the rush. Felix Jones has left a huge hole. The whole situation was and is a mess. Why they insist on not letting him go and having him work remotely is beyond me. Its leading to massive negative press and is a hot button issue thats distracting from the squad. Also the communication around Jones and his role has been absolute rubbish and is totally disjointed. While some say he is working remotely and playing a role others are saying theres been no contact. His role has not been defined and so people keep asking and keep getting different answers. England need a clean break from him and need to start over. Whatever reason for his leaving its time to cut the rope before the saga drags the whole Borthwick regime down. As for Joe El Abd well good luck to him. He is being made to look like an amateur by the whole saga and he is being asked to coach a system thats not his and which has been perfected and honed since 2017 by Nienaber, Jones, Erasmus and Co and which was first started by White in 2004. He is literally trying to figure out a system pioneered by double world cup winning coaches at the highest level and coach it at the same time. Talk about being on a hiding to nothing.

19 Go to comments

Ardy 23 minutes ago

Jake White: Ireland, Australia and Wales all have the same problem

The England backs can't be that dumb, he has been playing on and off for the last couple of years. If they are too slow to keep up with him that's another matter.

He was the only thing stopping England from getting their arses handed to them in the Aussie game. If you can't fit a player with that skill set into an England team then they are stuffed.

12 Go to comments

CB 28 minutes ago

'Steve Borthwick hung his troops out to dry - he should take some blame'

Steve Borthwick appointment was misguided based on two flawed premises.

1. An overblown sense of the quality of the premiership rugby. The gap between the Premiership and Test rugby is enormous

2. England needed an English coach who understood English Rugby and it's traditional strengths.

SB won the premiership and was an England forward and did a great job with the Japanese forwards but neither of those qualify you as a tier 1 test manager.

Maybe Felix Jones and Aled Walter's departures are down to the fact that SB is a details man, which work at club level but at test level you need the manager to manage and let the coaches get on and do what they are employed for.

SB criticism of players is straight out of Eddie Jones playbook but his loyalty to keeping out of form players borne out of his perceived sense of betrayal as a player.

In all it doesn't stack up as the qualities needed to be a modern Test coach /Manager

13 Go to comments

Bull Shark 31 minutes ago

David Campese takes back his Joe Schmidt coaching Australia criticism

But still Australians. Only Australia can help itself seems to be the key message.

Blaming Kiwis is deflecting from the actual problem.

35 Go to comments

OJohn 45 minutes ago

David Campese takes back his Joe Schmidt coaching Australia criticism

I know - but only a particular selfish greedy self entitled a..... breed who have been screwing over Australian rugby for 20 years.

They even sent themselves bankrupt, morons.

35 Go to comments

Bull Shark 50 minutes ago

David Campese takes back his Joe Schmidt coaching Australia criticism

I will consider such. But I think outliers like Rod Macqueen are difficult to plan for and or identify logically.

But I’ll keep an open mind and include Rod Macqueen in my assessment.

35 Go to comments

Bull Shark 52 minutes ago

David Campese takes back his Joe Schmidt coaching Australia criticism

So you see. Australians are the problem.

35 Go to comments

OJohn 1 hour ago

David Campese takes back his Joe Schmidt coaching Australia criticism

Keep in mind Rod MacQueen never won a Super Rugby title before he was appointed Wallaby coach but he ended up the greatest rugby coach the world has ever seen. Better than Erasmus even. Who is probably the next best.

35 Go to comments

Bull Shark 1 hour ago

David Campese takes back his Joe Schmidt coaching Australia criticism

Some interesting names there. I’ll spend some time researching their coaching credentials and come back with a well thought out response and avoid jumping to irrational conclusions.

Chat later.

35 Go to comments

OJohn 1 hour ago

David Campese takes back his Joe Schmidt coaching Australia criticism

There's plenty of coaching talent available. See other post but the Tahs won't let them coach Australia unless they are Tahs.

35 Go to comments

OJohn 1 hour ago

David Campese takes back his Joe Schmidt coaching Australia criticism

Ewen McKenzie, Less Kiss, Stephen Larkham, Jim McKay, David Nucifora, Scott Wisenthal, Ben Mowen, Rod Kafer, Mick Byrne, John Manetti, Jason Gilmore, Dan McKellar.

Go on say it. I know you're going to. No Australian will ever be good enough to coach Australia when there's a hopeless kiwi or south african available. Ever !

Because South Africans and Kiwis and Welshmen and Scotsman are all s.... scared that if an immensely talented and athletic team like Australia is ever able to harness nationalistic Australian passion with an Australian coach, you'll all be s.c.r.e.w.e.d.

35 Go to comments

Bull Shark 1 hour ago

David Campese takes back his Joe Schmidt coaching Australia criticism

This is true.

But perhaps because rugby is Australia’s fourth (or worse) most popular sport, there is just no coaching talent good enough.

It’s interesting that no players from the Aussies golden era (say between 1987 - 2000) have emerged as international quality coaches. Or coaches at all.

Again, Australians are the problem methinks. Not as interested in the game. Not as interested to support the game. Not as interested to get into the game.

And like any other industry in the world - when you don’t have the capabilities or the skills, you import them.

Not difficult to understand really.

35 Go to comments

Bull Shark 1 hour ago

David Campese takes back his Joe Schmidt coaching Australia criticism

I would say at least one of the 6 if you’d be so kind as to name them?

I’m thinking you can’t name 6 Australian coaches who would be as good as or better than Schmidt.

35 Go to comments

Frans 1 hour ago

Autumn Nations Series 2024: Everything you need to know about round four

i think Argentina v France could be a good game too, depending on which Argentina turns up. The most difficult to call is Scotland Australia.

2 Go to comments