Joel McKenty (Northland) na próxima época no CDUL

Já está confirmado o 2º reforço do CDUL para a próxima época.

Depois de se ter confirmado o regresso do nosso Velti a Portugal (chega a Lisboa no dia 28 de Junho) e ao CDUL, agora apresentamos-vos: Joel McKenty.

O Joel McKenty tem 1,90m e pesa 114 kg. Joga a 4, 6, 7 e 8. Joel acabou de completar 30 anos e é um jogador muito experiente. Joga no Northland onde já fez 6 temporadas na ITM Cup (a mais importante competição neo-zelandesa) chegando a ser capitão de equipa do Northland, província que conta com os internacionais Rene Ranger, Munro, etc ... e o nosso conhecido Ross Wrigth (CDUL - 2007/2008)

Joel será o único jogador não elegível para a Selecção que fará parte do plantel do CDUL para a época 2011/2012. Joel será também um dos treinadores dos sub-18 na próxima época.

Joel chega a Portugal no fim de Agosto e que se quiserem ver um pouco dele a jogar aqui vos deixamos um link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RzO2XupoYg

Aqui fica a opinião sobre Joel e uma entrevista no The Unofficial Taniwha Rugby.com:

Joel McKenty: After excelling for Northland for the last few season’s McKenty managed to lift his game to an even higher level this year. Started slowly after surprisingly being given the 6 shirt but soon reverted to his preferred 7 position and started to dominate every player he came up against. Should be a definite for the Blues but will probably get passed over yet again. Was probably Northland’s best player this year. 8/10

Describe yourself in 25 words or less

Easy going, fun person that can knuckle down and work hard and honestly when required. Loyal to my friends and family

Do you have a nickname?
Joelberg or Uncle Fester

What is your earliest rugby memory?
Playing for North shore rugby club in bare feet (under 5's)

What Super 14 team do you support and why?
Blues, because they are the Franchise team for Northland

What's the biggest challenge facing rugby?
Finding a set of rules that suit the game in both hemispheres and sticking to them so its easier for the supporters to follow the games.

Who was the game's greatest ever player, Kiwi and foreigner?
Dan Carter and David Campesse

The best match you have ever seen?
The world cup semi when Johna Lomu ran over Mike Catt

The best try you have ever seen?
Cristian Cullen in a 7's game Vs Fiji where he got the ball in his own in-goal and stepped about 5 or 6 of their players and went the length of the field to score

Who is/was your toughest opponent, and why?
Marty Holah, it seemed like he was in every ruck!

Is there anything in your career that you would change?
Moved up to northland sooner

Which team do you hate losing to the most?
Southland

How could the game of rugby be improved?
By keeping Northland in the NPC Cup

Who has been your greatest influence in rugby? Life?
In rugby I would have to say my coaches I had when I was growing up, and in life my parents

Highlight of your career so far?
Starting my first NPC game for Northland

If you didn't play Rugby, what job would you be doing instead?
Fitness trainer or a rugby coach

Favourite music?
A bit of everything but if I had to pick a fav, then Foo Fighters

Favourite book?
Angels and Demons

Favourite Film?
Gladiator

What do you do to relax?
Longboarding in the summer, Snowboarding in the winter in the brief time I get after a season

Any regrets?
Wasting time while I was studying

Goals/hopes?

To be succesful in everything I do